Cash on Safari

375Fox said:
My best guess is they grabbed the backpack from overhead while I slept on plane to Zimbabwe. It’s not too difficult to assume the white man traveling by himself to hunt is carrying a significant amount of cash. Pretty easy to grab bag and take to bathroom for 5 minutes.
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Another reason to fly business or first class where one has his own overhead compartment.
 
Mar86 said:
Be careful. It’s 10,000 per person OR family traveling together. I learned this the hard way in 2019. More than that, you have to report it to customs before you leave.
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There is nothing wrong with reporting it to customs. All international airports have a customs office where one can do that. In LAX it is under the stairs going to TSA PreCheck, pretty quick process.
 
Rafiki said:
I'm leaving for my 3rd trip to TZ in a couple weeks. My nagging question is how to bring the considerable amount of cash required for the camp, PH, etc. I haven't had a problem thus far but you never know.

I'm thinking of taping an envelope of some of the cash to the inside my rifle case under the foam; the rest in my back pack and with me. I'm not sure if this is a good plan or not.
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My gut says..."No!" My method is to keep my cash around my neck in a RFID wallet. Your bag, your gun case, your carry on can all go missing. Unless they take my head, the wallet around my neck cannot. I also keep my passport and copies of documents in it. Peace of mind cost me 12 bucks on Amazon. Best of luck!!!
 
Mar86 said:
Be careful. It’s 10,000 per person OR family traveling together. I learned this the hard way in 2019. More than that, you have to report it to customs before you leave.
Click to expand...
Very simple solution.
Report it.
If asked about it...simply explain.
Spike
 
I have several very nice money belts that were purchased specifically for international travel and to solve this same quandry.
They hold a good number of 100's.
Pro tip:
At airport security check, advise TSA about them...BEFORE BEING SCANNED...to alleviate their requisite money- laundering/smuggling concerns.
Has worked well for me for about 25 years.
Any necessary cash that won't fit, goes in the buttoned-closed chest pockets of the canvas shirt...that I'm wearing.
Cheers
Spike
 
Betterinthebush said:
I tipped my PH’s in Au. They were over the top thankful and happy. The trackers and staff I tipped in Ag. One PH bought the Ag from all his help, but only in front of me so I saw that they were compensated properly. One tracker declined and kept his coins. I Carried all of my gratuities in my pocket and carryons.
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Very interesting, this has never occurred to my simple mind!
 
It looks a little dorky, but I have one of the Scottevest's. Several inside zipper pockets. And lots of othere zipper pockets for cell phone, passport, charger cords, snacks, etc.
I had to take an extreme amount (for me anyways) of cash to Zim last year as my outfitter wanted trophy fees paid in cash before I left.
I put cash in inside zip pockets. They would have to remove the vest to get it.
Seemed to work well and wasn't too obvious.
And I did declare it at customs and with customs in Bulawayo at the airport. No issues.
 
Man it sure would be great if the PHs and the safari industry would get on board with using stablecoins... a tap on the screen of your smartphone and they're paid. And all this rigamarole about carrying huge amounts of cash goes away.

I know it wouldn't work for the camp staff, but it would significantly cut down the needed cash, and your associated risk.
 
towserthemouser said:
Man it sure would be great if the PHs and the safari industry would get on board with using stablecoins... a tap on the screen of your smartphone and they're paid. And all this rigamarole about carrying huge amounts of cash goes away.

I know it wouldn't work for the camp staff, but it would significantly cut down the needed cash, and your associated risk.
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I was in that scene for awhile, and seriously thought someday Id be able to do just that, transfer crypto.

solves alot of problems but of course gov doesnt like it, especially for just that purpose. international movement of money
 
towserthemouser said:
Man it sure would be great if the PHs and the safari industry would get on board with using stablecoins... a tap on the screen of your smartphone and they're paid. And all this rigamarole about carrying huge amounts of cash goes away.

I know it wouldn't work for the camp staff, but it would significantly cut down the needed cash, and your associated risk.
Click to expand...
@towserthemouser - agree, Now carrying $50,000+ in cash is very possible for some safaris, that becomes bulky, obvious, and adds some risk
 
BGGMKLR said:
I have several very nice money belts that were purchased specifically for international travel and to solve this same quandry.
They hold a good number of 100's.
Pro tip:
At airport security check, advise TSA about them...BEFORE BEING SCANNED...to alleviate their requisite money- laundering/smuggling concerns.
Has worked well for me for about 25 years.
Any necessary cash that won't fit, goes in the buttoned-closed chest pockets of the canvas shirt...that I'm wearing.
Cheers
Spike
Click to expand...
@BGGMKLR - so when you go thru the airport scanner and everything must be removed from your pockets - your Money Belt/cash and all your cash kept in shirt/vest/pants pockets is now ALL going thru the conveyor belt X-ray scanner? I can’t think of how you can avoid that but that’s a lot of cash Out of Your direct control for a short time and especially if you get stuck in line and your belongings get scanned and thru before you can immediately collect them….guess theres no easy secure way
 
HankBuck said:
@BGGMKLR - so when you go thru the airport scanner and everything must be removed from your pockets - your Money Belt/cash and all your cash kept in shirt/vest/pants pockets is now ALL going thru the conveyor belt X-ray scanner? I can’t think of how you can avoid that but that’s a lot of cash Out of Your direct control for a short time and especially if you get stuck in line and your belongings get scanned and thru before you can immediately collect them….guess theres no easy secure way
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I can honestly say, never an issue with the exception of the first experience.
I had declared the cash, but didnt advise the TSA "scanner" guy.
Hence the heads-up.
As far as your other concerns...remove shoes, belt, hat,, empty your pockets into the tub, and pass through.
My belongings have never been out of my sight for more than a minute...and my eyes are on the "scanner dude" the whole time.
For ME...it's the safest most secure solution.
Your mileage may vary.
Best
Spike
 
Mar86 said:
Be careful. It’s 10,000 per person OR family traveling together. I learned this the hard way in 2019. More than that, you have to report it to customs before you leave.
Click to expand...
In a country like Zim you need to report it upon arrival not departure. I’ve traveled with 30k or more with no issues on more than one occasion. I second @375Fox and not putting any in your gun case. You’re asking for issues.

I do 5 & 10k increments per bank envelope. Once on the plane I take them out of my backpack’s hidden internal compartment, go to the bathroom and down the pants they go. If someone wants it they’re gonna have to grab more than the cash. Other option is backpack under the seat and strap hooked on my leg. Just depends how many envelopes I’m traveling with. Before we land, bathroom and envelopes pack in the backpack.
 
Mtn_Infantry said:
In a country like Zim you need to report it upon arrival not departure. I’ve traveled with 30k or more with no issues on more than one occasion. I second @375Fox and not putting any in your gun case. You’re asking for issues.

I do 5 & 10k increments per bank envelope. Once on the plane I take them out of my backpack’s hidden internal compartment, go to the bathroom and down the pants they go. If someone wants it they’re gonna have to grab more than the cash. Other option is backpack under the seat and strap hooked on my leg. Just depends how many envelopes I’m traveling with. Before we land, bathroom and envelopes pack in the backpack.
Click to expand...
I'm really starting to wonder why anyone needs that much cash on a hunting Safari. The largest costs are usually paid prior to departure by wire transfers or whatever.
 
I did 6k for my last safari and I came back with some cash still in pocket. I regret not bringing some RAND and smaller bills. It seemed when in the airport with our travel company we were handing out $20's like candy.
 
Mtn_Infantry said:
In a country like Zim you need to report it upon arrival not departure. I’ve traveled with 30k or more with no issues on more than one occasion. I second @375Fox and not putting any in your gun case. You’re asking for issues.

I do 5 & 10k increments per bank envelope. Once on the plane I take them out of my backpack’s hidden internal compartment, go to the bathroom and down the pants they go. If someone wants it they’re gonna have to grab more than the cash. Other option is backpack under the seat and strap hooked on my leg. Just depends how many envelopes I’m traveling with. Before we land, bathroom and envelopes pack in the backpack.
Click to expand...
Hopefully, the prospective thief is packing hand sanitizer.
Spike
 
Rafiki said:
I'm leaving for my 3rd trip to TZ in a couple weeks. My nagging question is how to bring the considerable amount of cash required for the camp, PH, etc. I haven't had a problem thus far but you never know.

I'm thinking of taping an envelope of some of the cash to the inside my rifle case under the foam; the rest in my back pack and with me. I'm not sure if this is a good plan or not.
Click to expand...
I just got back, I have always worn a small neck holder with four pockets that is extremely light. In it I place my small envelopes that have each type person tip in cash placed. I have one that I call extra. I then place my passport in one pocket, my credit cards in another and finally my Insurance card in the final one. It never leaves me. When I go through airport scanners I bury it in my back pack
 
Rafiki said:
I'm really starting to wonder why anyone needs that much cash on a hunting Safari. The largest costs are usually paid prior to departure by wire transfers or whatever.
Click to expand...
Tips as well as Elephant and Leopard Trophy Fees. I was told before hand the opportunity to switch areas and hunt other DG including a potential full bag might exist being one of the last hunters of the year. Was advised cash is king should we want to try and negotiate discounts.

We did switch areas up to Matetsi for the last 12 days and had a Full Bag to hunt off. I ended up adding a buffalo there + a bunch of PG to start/maintain 12 baits there. Ultimately passed on a maneless lion, and a bunch of elephant bulls. Decided I wanted something bigger than the bull I shot earlier or something with extremely long pretty ivory (not common in western Zim). Never located a bull we thought would be in 60’s. Found a few tracks we thought would be good candidates but they ventured out of the blocks we could hunt and into the neighboring blocks.
 
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