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MONEY GUIDE FOR YOUR OVERLAND ADVENTURE 

The following information is provided to help you with planning your finances while on tour.  As African currencies tend to fluctuate more rapidly than your own, it is intended as a guide only. 

In East and Southern Africa U$, £ and € are accepted.  Cash is the best type of currency to use even though traveller’s cheques, Visa credit cards and Visa/Visa Electron ATM cards can be used – but it can be difficult to cash in Travellers Cheques or to find banks that support certain bank cards.  Knowing which to use where can be extremely confusing.  We have therefore put together a country guide to help you decide what form of payment to use where.

Currency & Denominations

We don’t suggest you change any African currency in your home country as, if it’s even possible, you will be given a very poor rate of exchange.  We recommend that most of your money is in U$ as the Local Payment and all visas obtainable at the borders must be paid in U$.  It is also possible to pay for many of the Optional Excursions in U$.  If bringing another currency, you’ll have to change that currency into the local currency and then buy back the U$, thus incurring foreign exchange charges twice!  We suggest you bring along a good mix of both small and large denomination notes as the larger denominations attract a more favourable exchange rate.  However, you may need to change a small amount at the airport on your arrival to pay for your taxi and the exchange rates here are a lot lower than you’ll receive in town.  You may also have to change only a small amount to tide you over in a country.  Small U$ notes are also useful for tipping locals for services they’ve provided.

General Notes

Always carry your passport when changing either cash (or traveller’s cheques) or when drawing money inside the bank.

When changing cash or traveller’s cheques or drawing cash from a bank or ATM, you will always receive the local currency.  If you need to then change this money back into U$ cash, you’ll have to pay the foreign exchange charge twice!

Help each other out.  If someone wants to exchange U$ cash and you need it, exchange your excess local currency or draw it from the ATM.  This way you’ll get your U$ cash a lot cheaper (and easier) than having to buy it from the bank.

Always bring more money with you than you think you’ll need.  You can always take it home with you.

Try to get rid of each countries currency before you leave that country as you’ll struggle to change it anywhere else and it could prove to be an expensive memento of your African holiday.

Cash

In Africa, cash is generally king!  While traveller’s cheques and credit cards are obviously safer options, we recommend you bring a fair amount of your money in cash, which you can store in the truck’s on-board safe.  Where traveller’s cheque and credit card facilities are available, the surcharges can be a much as 15% on each transaction.  If bringing U$ notes, they must all be printed after 2001 and must be in as good a condition as possible - clean and un-torn.

Traveller’s Cheques

Traveller’s cheques are not that widely used, especially in East Africa, and are more difficult to change - especially outside of the major centres.  Where the facility is available, they will be cashed at a much lower exchange rate than if you cashed notes.  If Optional Excursion operators do accept traveller’s cheques, they will generally add a surcharge of between 5 and 15% per each transaction!  If choosing to bring traveller’s cheques, make sure they’re in either U$ and that they’re a well known brand - Thomas Cook, American Express or Visa.  Most places will also need your proof of purchase receipt - the piece of paper you’re given when buying the traveller’s cheques and told to keep separate from your cheques.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are always handy for that “in case of an emergency” situation, but are only widely accepted in Southern Africa, so do not rely on being able to make purchases or pay for excursions with them.  Remember you may have to pay your bank a charge for using the card internationally.  If you’re going to bring your credit card, make sure it’s a Visa card, as MasterCard (Maestro) is not widely accepted.  Debit Cards are not widely accepted. Please ensure you know your personal pin code and that is does not exceed 5 digits.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATM)

These are readily available throughout Southern Africa and are fairly accessible in the major centres in East Africa.  Always check with your Trip Leader when you’ll have the next opportunity to draw cash.  ATMs usually offer a fairly good exchange rate, but remember, you’ll always be issued with the local currency, so if you need U$ you’ll have to change the local currency back into U$!  Remember too, you may have to pay your bank a charge for drawing money internationally.  African ATMs tend to “swallow” foreign cards randomly.  Try to make sure you use the ATM during bank business hours, so if it’s “eaten” you can retrieve it immediately.  ATM scams are rife in Africa, so never EVER accept help from anyone when drawing money from the ATM and make sure your PIN number is not seen by anyone when entering it.  If you feel unsafe, cancel your transaction, retrieve your card and find another ATM.

KENYA

Currency:                    Kenyan Shilling (KSH)

Exchange Rate:           U$1 = KSH 70.00 / £1 = KSH 140.00

Will vary depending on the denomination changed

Money can be changed on arrival in Nairobi.  We recommend you use the bureau de changes as they charge NO commission to change your foreign cash or traveller’s cheques into Kenyan shillings.  Banks and hotels will also change your money, but you’ll have to pay them commission.  There are a few bureau de changes that will sell you U$ cash, but always check their rate!  Banks are close on Saturdays in the afternoon.  ATMs are available in Nairobi and the larger Kenyan towns, generally through Barclays, Standard Chartered and Stanbic Banks.  All unused Kenyan shillings can be changed into Tanzanian or Ugandan shillings at each country’s borders.  Ask your Trip Leader for advice.

Beware of people posing as undercover policemen asking about the amount of local and foreign currency you have.  Kenyan police rarely interfere with tourists, so ask them for identification and, if necessary, agree to meet them at the local police station.

All snacks, drinks, souvenirs, laundry, internet access, taxis and services of guides, etc are paid in Kenyan shillings.

A local beer will cost between KSH100.00 and KSH 150.00.  Internet access in Nairobi is fairly good and will cost between KSH 15.00 and KSH 75.00 for 15 minutes.  International phone calls are expensive and will cost about KSH250.00 per minute.

Optional Excursions are payable in either US dollars or Kenyan shillings.

Visas:   Most nationalities require visas, which can be obtained on arrival at each border.  Single Entry Visas cost U$50.00 and are valid for 3 months.  If visiting only Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, you will not need to buy another visa when re-entering Kenya.  However, if you visit any other country, your visa becomes void, so if you’re visiting the gorillas in either the DRC or Rwanda, you’ll have to buy another visa.  Multiple Entry Visas can not be obtained on the border.  They cost U$100.00 so if you’re only entering Kenya twice, it would cost you no more to buy 2 Single Entry Visas.

UGANDA

Currency:                    Ugandan Shilling (USH)

Exchange Rate:           U$1 = USH1 800.00 / £1 = USH3 400.00

Will vary depending on the denomination changed

Money can be changed at the border or on arrival in Kampala.  We recommend you use the banks and Bureau de Changes to change your U$, £ or € cash or traveller’s cheques into Ugandan shillings.  Banks sometimes sell U$ cash, but ask first and always check their rate!  ATMs are available in Kampala, generally through Barclays, Standard Chartered and Stanbic Banks.  Only Visa cards are accepted.  All unused Ugandan shillings can be changed into Kenyan shillings at the Kenyan border.  Ask your Trip Leader for advice.

All snacks, drinks, souvenirs, laundry, internet access, taxis and services of guides, etc are paid in Ugandan shillings.

A local beer will cost between USH2 000.00 and USH3 000.00.  A bag of laundry will set you back about USH 10 000.00.  Internet access is limited and will cost about USH8 500 for 15 minutes.

Optional Excursions include a visit to the Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary, white water rafting on the Nile, quad biking and a visit to the Softpower Community Project.  Most Excursions can be paid for using US dollars or GB pounds cash, traveller’s cheques or credit cards.  The latter 2 incur charges of between 5 to 15%.  Ugandan shillings are also accepted.

Visas:   Most nationalities require visas, which can be obtained on arrival at each border. Single Entry Visas cost U$50.00.  If visiting only Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, you will not need to buy another visa when re-entering Uganda.  However, if you visit any other country, your visa becomes void, so if you’re visiting the gorillas in either the DRC or Rwanda, you’ll have to buy another visa.  Multiple Entry Visas can not be obtained on the border.  They cost U$100.00 so if you’re only entering Uganda twice, it would cost you no more to buy 2 Single Entry Visas

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Currency:                    Congolese Franc (CDF)

Exchange Rate:           U$1 = CDF  550.00 / £1 = CDF1 000.00

Will vary depending on the denomination changed

We spend very little time in the DRC and it is therefore not necessary to change any money to Congolese Francs.

However, you will have to have U$ cash to pay for your Gorilla Trekking Permit - between U$375.00 to U$500.00.  Small denomination U$ notes are recommended too for buying food and drinks and to tip the guides who help you trek the gorillas.  Make sure your U$ notes are printed after 2001 and that they are in excellent condition - clean and un-torn.  We also advise you to bring along some extra notes as some may be rejected because they’re suspected of being counterfeit!  (Most other countries aren’t quite as particular as the DRC is about US notes, so you’ll be able to use them elsewhere!)

Visas:   All nationalities require visas, which can be obtained on arrival at each border.  A day visa costs US$30 and must be paid in clean, post 2001 US$ notes.

TANZANIA

Currency:                    Tanzanian Shilling (TSH)

Exchange Rate:           U$1 = TSH1 200.00 / £1 = TSH2 500.00

Will vary depending on the denomination changed

Money can be changed at the ‘bureaus’ at the border or on arrival in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Stone Town, Zanzibar.  We recommend you use the bureau de changes as they charge little or no commission to change your U$, £ or € cash into Tanzania shillings.  You can change your U$, £ or € traveller’s cheques into Tanzanian shillings.  However, this will incur a commission charge and is more difficult than changing cash.  You will have to proof of purchase receipt and may only be able to change up to U$100.00 per day.  ATMs are available in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Stone Town, Zanzibar, generally through Barclays, Standard Chartered and Stanbic Banks.  (Dar es Salaam offers the best exchange rate.)  All unused Tanzanian shillings can be changed into Kenyan shillings or Malawian kwacha at each country’s borders.  Ask your Trip Leader for advice.

All snacks, drinks, souvenirs, laundry, internet access, taxis and services of guides, etc are paid in Tanzanian shillings.

A local beer will cost between TSH2 000.00 and TSH3 000.00.  A bag of laundry will set you back about TSH8 000.00.  Internet access is very good and will cost about TSH 500.00 for15 minutes.

Optional Excursions include the 3 Day Serengeti/Ngorongoro Crater excursion, meals and accommodation on Zanzibar, a Spice Tour and a half day spent scuba diving. Excursions can be paid for using US dollars cash.  Tanzanian shillings are also accepted.  (All meals must be paid in TSH.)

Visas:   Most nationalities require visas, which can be obtained on arrival at each border.  Single Entry Visas cost U$50.00 and are valid for 3 months.

MALAWI

Currency:                    Malawian Kwacha (MKW)

Exchange Rate:           U$1 = MKW 140.00 / £1 = MKW 280.00

Will vary depending on the denomination changed

Money can be changed at the border between Tanzania and Malawi and on arrival in Lilongwe.  Ask your Trip Leader to do this for you, when changing at the border.  We recommend you use the bureau de changes as they charge NO commission to change your U$ or £ cash into Malawian kwacha.  You can change your U$ or £ traveller’s cheques into Malawian kwacha.  However, this will incur a commission charge.  ATMs are available in Lilongwe, generally through Stanbic Bank, but are unreliable.  Spend all your Malawian kwacha as they can not be exchanged elsewhere.

All snacks, drinks, small souvenirs, laundry, internet access, taxis and services of guides, etc are paid in Malawian kwachas.  Larger souvenirs, like the chairs for which Malawi is famous, can be paid for in U$ cash.

A local beer will cost about MKW 150.00.  A bag of laundry will set you back about MKW 800.00.  Internet access is very limited and will cost between MKW 40.00 and MKW 70.00 for 15 minutes.

Optional Excursions include water skiing, snorkelling, diving and horseback safaris.  Most Excursions can be paid for using US dollars cash.

Visas:   Most nationalities do not require visas.  (Austrians and Belgians as well as passport holders from the former Eastern Bloc do.)  Visas are not obtainable at the border, so check with the Malawian Embassy prior to your arrival in Africa whether you need one.

ZAMBIA

Currency:                    Zambian Kwacha (ZMK)

Exchange Rate:           U$1 = ZMK3 800.00 / £1 = ZMK7 700.00

Will vary depending on the denomination changed

We spend very little time in Zambia and it is therefore not necessary to change any money to Zambian Kwacha.  However, you will have to have U$ cash.  Bureau de changes in Livingstone sometimes sell U$ cash, but ask first and always check their rate!  ATMs are available in Lusaka, generally through Barclays, Standard Chartered and Stanbic Banks.  If you do change your money into Zambian kwacha, make sure it’s only a small amount and then that you spend it all as it can not be exchanged elsewhere.

All purchases from the campsites we use, like snacks, drinks, laundry & internet access can be paid in U$ cash.  These purchases in town will have to be paid for in Zambian kwacha.

A local beer will cost between ZMK7 000.00 and ZMK10 000.00.  A bag of laundry will set you back about ZMK15 000.00.  Internet access is very limited and will cost about ZMK17 000.00 for 15 minutes.

Optional Excursions include the Zambezi Sunset Dinner Cruise and Excursions that take place in Livingstone while our trip is in Victoria Falls - like the Rhino Walk, Quad Biking or a visit to the Mukuni Village.  The Excursions that take place in Livingstone can be paid for using US dollars or GB pounds cash or traveller’s cheques and credit cards.  Credit cards are debited in US dollars and may incur fees.

Visas:   Most nationalities require visas, which can be obtained on arrival at each border.  Single Entry Visa costs vary between different nationalities.  British and Canadian Citizens will pay U$65.00 for a Single Entry Visa, while most other nationalities will pay U$25.00.  Americans are not issued with Single Entry Visas, but can get Multiple Entry Visas at the border for U$100.00.  Bear in mind that if your trip begins or ends in Victoria Falls, but you fly into/out of Livingstone, you will have to obtain a visa.  Remember too that each time you leave Victoria Falls for an Excursion taking place in Livingstone; you will have to buy another visa into Zambia.  Fortunately there is a special Day Tripper Visa for these Excursions, which only costs U$10.00, but this visa is issued only when the Immigration Officer is in a good mood.  Multiple Entry Visas for all nationalities, apart from Americans, can not be obtained on the border. 

ZIMBABWE

Currency:                    Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWD)

Exchange rates:          fluctuate widely due to high inflation.

Due to high inflation, the Zimbabwean Dollar fluctuates enormously and exchange rates can change on a daily basis.  The official bank rate is set twice weekly after the foreign exchange auctions.  We recommend you always ask the advice of your Trip Leader or the staff in the Africa Travel Co. office in Victoria Falls before changing any money!

Money can be changed on arrival in Victoria Falls or Bulawayo.  Do not change money on the Black Market as it is illegal and you will be punished if caught!  U$ cash is the suggested currency as while £, € and ZAR cash is accepted, the exchange rate is extremely poor.  Banks are closed on Saturdays.  ATMs are available in Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, generally through Barclays, Standard Chartered and Stanbic Banks, but are unreliable.  Spend all your Zimbabwean dollars as they can not be exchanged elsewhere and it is illegal to remove any from the country.

All snacks, drinks, souvenirs, laundry, internet access, taxis and services of guides, etc are paid in Zimbabwean dollars.

A local beer will cost about U$1.00.  Internet access is limited and will cost about U$1.00 per minute.

Optional Excursions include white water rafting on the Zambezi, bungee jumping; elephant back safaris and walks with lions. Excursions can be paid for using US dollars cash or traveller’s cheques.  Credit cards are not accepted.

Visas:   Most nationalities require visas, which can be obtained on arrival at each border.  (South Africans require a visa, but this is free.)  Single Entry Visa costs vary between different nationalities.  British and Irish Citizens will pay U$55.00 for a Single Entry Visa, while most other nationalities will pay U$30.00.  While you’ll need to buy a Zambian visa each time you do an Excursion that takes place in Livingstone, provided you return to Victoria Falls on the same day, you will not be required to buy another visa to return to Zimbabwe.  If you’re planning on spending one or more consecutive nights in Livingstone, you will need to get a Double Entry Visa when you first enter Zimbabwe.  A Double Entry Visa will cost British and Irish Citizens U$70.00, while most other nationalities will have to pay U$45.00.  As with most things in Zimbabwe, these requirements can change on a daily basis, so double check with the Zimbabwean Embassy prior to your departure for Africa. Visas must be paid for in US$ cash.

BOTSWANA

Currency:                    Botswana Pula (BWP)

Exchange Rate:           U$1 = BWP 5.00 / £1 = BWP10.00

Money can be changed on arrival in Maun or Kasane.  We recommend you use the bureau de changes as they charge NO commission to change your U$, £ or € cash into Botswana pula.  ATMs are available in Maun or Kasane, generally through Barclays, Standard Chartered and Stanbic Banks.  Only Visa cards are accepted.  All unused Botswana pula can be changed into Namibian dollars or South African rands at banks in the respective countries.

All snacks, drinks, souvenirs, laundry, internet access, taxis and services of guides, etc are paid in Botswana pula.

A local beer will cost between BWP 6.00 and BWP 9.00.  Internet access is quite good and will cost about BWP 8.00 for 15 minutes.

Optional Excursions include a game drive in Chobe National Park, Chobe NP sleep-out, the 3 Day Okavango Delta Mokoro Excursion and a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.  The Chobe National Park activities can be paid for using US dollars cash or Botswana pula.  Other Excursions can be paid for using US dollars or GB pounds cash, traveller’s cheques or credit cards.  The latter could incur charges of 5%.  Botswana pula and South African rands are also accepted.

Visas:   Most nationalities do not require visas.  (Many South American, Eastern Bloc, Middle Eastern and Asian nationals do.)  Visas are not obtainable at the border, so check with the Embassy of Botswana prior to your arrival in Africa whether you need one.

NAMIBIA

Currency:                    Namibian Dollar (N$)

Exchange Rate:           U$1 = N$ 7.20 / £1 = N$14.00

The Namibian dollar and South African rand are tied to each other on an equal level.  South African rands are accepted in Namibia, but Namibian dollars are not accepted in South Africa.

Money can be changed in most major towns.  We recommend you draw your Namibian dollars at the widely available ATMs as they offer the best rate of exchange.  Both Visa and MasterCard Cards are accepted.  We recommend you use the bureau de changes in Windhoek and Swakopmund as they charge NO commission to change your U$, £ or € cash or traveller’s cheques into Namibian dollars.  All unused Namibian dollars can be changed into South African rands at banks and some shops in Namibia and banks in South Africa.  South African rands are accepted in both South Africa and Botswana.

All snacks, drinks, souvenirs, laundry, internet access, taxis and services of guides, etc are paid in Namibian dollars or South African rands.

A local beer will cost about N$ 8.00.  Internet access is very good and will cost about N$ 8.00 for 15 minutes.  International phone calls will cost about N$ 20.00 per minute.

Optional Excursions include sky diving, sand boarding, quad biking and a guided walk in Sossusvlei.  Most Excursions can be paid for using US dollars, GB pounds and Euro cash, traveller’s cheques or credit cards.  Credit cards incur no fees.  Namibian dollars and South African rands are also accepted.

Visas:   Most nationalities do not require visas.  Visas are not obtainable at the border, so check with the Namibian Embassy prior to your arrival in Africa whether you need one.

SOUTH AFRICA

Currency:                    South African Rand (ZAR)

Exchange Rate:           U$1 = ZAR 7.20 / £1 = ZAR 14.00

Money can be changed in most major towns.  We recommend you draw your South African rands at the widely available ATMs as they offer the best rate of exchange.  Both Visa and MasterCard Cards are accepted.  We recommend you use the bureau de changes in the major centres like Cape Town and Johannesburg as they charge NO commission to change your U$, £ or € cash or traveller’s cheques into South African rands.  All unused South African rands can be used in Namibia or exchanged easily in Botswana or your home country.

All snacks, drinks, souvenirs, laundry, internet access, taxis and services of guides, etc are paid in South African rands.

A local beer will cost about ZAR 8.00.  Internet access is very good and will cost about ZAR 8.00 for 15 minutes.  International phone calls will cost between ZAR 15.00 and ZAR 20.00 per minute.

Optional Excursions include canoeing on the Orange River, abseiling down Table Mountain, full day tours of Cape Town and a full day tour of Soweto.  The canoeing on the Orange River can be paid for using US dollars, GP pounds or South African rands cash.  Other Excursions can be paid for using South African rands cash, traveller’s cheques or credit cards.  Credit cards incur no fees.

Visas:   Most nationalities do not require visas.  Visas are not obtainable at the border, so check with the South African Embassy prior to your arrival in Africa whether you need one.

Please remember this information is to serve as a guide only.  African currencies tend to fluctuate far more than your own and exchange rates and prices may therefore change.  Visas are your responsibility and your Trip Leader can not stop or alter a trip because you don’t have the correct documentation, so make sure you double check the visa requirements for each country with their embassy before you depart for Africa.

Safari Njema!  (Have a good trip!)