Rand $20,000 Getting ready to go...

James.Grage

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Picture of $20,000 Rand for my up coming South African Safari.

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Blow up of the $100 Rand

These are the New Rand Bills....

I have some of the Older Rand Bills That i thought looked great.
 
So other than the obvious poke... "Just how new are those bills James?"

Seriously though, you opened up a nice thread to help us less experienced World travelers out... We just went to a Western Union office is PE and changed some Benjamin's in for Rand.... How do you get the best deal on exchanging money? Do it before leaving home? At your bank, airport, specialized money changer? Or do "in country"?

The PH seemed very happy with US Dollars for a tip but the trackers looked like they did not know what to do with it or how much it was... The PH told me to hand it to them so they knew it came from us, but he would take them to change it.

And how do you carry it? Seemed a lot easier to carry a couple thousand dollars than $20,000 Rand....
 
Well your show'in em off just like newly "pressed" hand loads... Couldn't help but mention it;)
 
Never changed a single Rand, Euros and credit cards work fine. And I save the exchange commission.
 
Seriously though, you opened up a nice thread to help us less experienced World travelers out... We just went to a Western Union office is PE and changed some Benjamin's in for Rand.... How do you get the best deal on exchanging money? Do it before leaving home? At your bank, airport, specialized money changer? Or do "in country"?

The PH seemed very happy with US Dollars for a tip but the trackers looked like they did not know what to do with it or how much it was... The PH told me to hand it to them so they knew it came from us, but he would take them to change it.

And how do you carry it? Seemed a lot easier to carry a couple thousand dollars than $20,000 Rand....

Action Bob
In 2011 the exchange was 6.3 Rands for 1 UDS -- when i ordered the rands this year it was 10.2 rands for 1 USD it went to over 11 at one time. So you need to be looking out for a favorable exchange rate.

I watch the currency exchange (i have a tracker) and when i thought it was a good deal (the Rand hit 10 to 1), i went to my bank and had them order me in some Rands. the delay time was 2 weeks and the exchange went down in that time period. At the time my money came in it was 9.85 Rand to 1 USD.

I do the same for the UK - Canada while traveling. Some banks keep international bills on hand, however they did not have the amount i was looking for.

The Rand exchange is better now (10.60 rand to 1 USD) than when i ordered the bills that i have, so you need to watch the market and purchase the money when you think you have a good deal.

As for tips the PH's do like USD, however the crew would like to be paid in Rands. They get hit hard for exchanging Dollars for Rands.

Travel wise it is no different that taking USD through the Airport. You have to have it secured. The envelop will fit my inside zippered vest pocket, and when i am in the airport my vest is zipped up and the pocket is zipped up. Same if you are thinking about taking a nap on the long flight.

The reason for the large number this time, is my wife is along and we have 3 days of shopping and sightseeing before we head into the bush.
 
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Thanks James! Very helpful. On one hand I am tempted to change some dollars, on the other hand the prudent thing to do is probably wait until I actually book my next trip.

What tracker do you use?

Nyati;
I agree and we used dollars and CC's as well for gas, eating out, hotels, admissions, etc.... But it was really handy having Rand for the little things like a candy bar and soda when stopping for a pee break at the gas station. The rental car got way more miles to it's tank than I got... And in many cases to get into the rest room (is it that way in Spain? I ran into it in Mexico, Germany and RSA, in the US I never see that). And tips for guys like the Bell Hop and even the few parking guys that I thought deserved a tip.

The best case we had for having local money was the roadside stands.... But we were on a road trip for half our time there.

I can see your point if you are picked up at the airport, go on your hunt, and get dropped off at the airport to return home, only need would be to tip the staff at camp and the outfitter or PH can help with that.
 
http://www.xe.com/beta/xmc/

Above is a tracker.

Or your computer may have one already.

Right click your computer screen. A drop down box will pop up. look to see if you have Gadgets. Then find the exchange icon.

On this trip we will be off the beaten path and credit cards will not be taken by the rural vendors.

Also, Rands are usable in Zimbabwe and Namibia, so any left over Rands will be set aside for a future safari.

The above pictures will go into my photo book that will be compiled when we return.
 
As a South African doing at least 5 - 6 international trips to the US and Europe every year I have stopped exchanging currency before departing home. At the destination I will draw some local currently using my credit card and pay for most expenses with a credit card.

The same advice I have given many times to incoming visitors whether they be business men or hunters. Bring cash and exchange at the banks at the SA airports. You will get the best exchange rate when changing foreign cash for SA cash at an SA bank. If you don't want to bring foreign cash then use your credit card and draw cash at the SA bank at the airport. That is the second best deal. The third best deal is if you exchange on your end before arriving in SA.
 
Gents, apart from the exposure to the exchange rate, which can be fairly volatile, the easiest way to obtain rands for a hunt is to draw them from an ATM with your bank card.

The benefits are improved security - not carrying tons of cash - and ease as there are PLENTY ATM's in RSA.
you should only need for tips and incidentals, which means drawing a few thousand at a time from an ATM should get you by.

That is how I travel all over Southern Africa, as Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia all have good access to ATM's in all centres (Gaborone, Maun, Francistown, Victoria Falls, Livingstone - Zambia, Harare etc)

Hope that provides some alternate option.

Also chat with your PH etc, as most will be VERY happy to receive a tip etc in US$.
 

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