South Africa Rand Is Crashing

Reaper

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Well maybe crashing was a bit strong, but the currency is very weak.
This could mean big savings for foreign hunters. The question is, are there are any S.A outfitters here who charge in Rand instead of USD?
 
Don't expect any savings. There was a thread on this a while ago and with the Rand falling there is more reason than ever now to price the hunts in US Dollars or Euro's.
 
Don't expect any savings. There was a thread on this a while ago and with the Rand falling there is more reason than ever now to price the hunts in US Dollars or Euro's.

You might want to take a look at the some of the specials that have been posted on here lately.
 
I have looked at some of the specials and figured that it is outfitters wanting to fill their 2016 schedule and not due to the rand falling. And if you can do a trip in less than 6 months they may be the way to go. But if you are booking 1-2 years out I don't see too much savings. The rand is actually higher now than it was a month ago but is trending down right now.
 
I have looked at some of the specials and figured that it is outfitters wanting to fill their 2016 schedule and not due to the rand falling. And if you can do a trip in less than 6 months they may be the way to go. But if you are booking 1-2 years out I don't see too much savings. The rand is actually higher now than it was a month ago but is trending down right now.

We're actually booking this one for 2017 also.

http://www.africahunting.com/threads/buffalo-sable-hunt-special-hartzview-hunting-safaris.25843/

The risk the operators are taking by booking deals for 2017 based on 2016 Rand/Dollar rate is of course what if the Rand restrengthens? If we guarantee a hunt at X dollars based on a 15-16R / $, what if it goes back to 10-11R / $.
 
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"Don't expect any savings. There was a thread on this a while ago and with the Rand falling there is more reason than ever now to price the hunts in US Dollars or Euro's."


There's no reason that savings wouldn't be had, other than just greed. Most of an outfitters costs are going to be in local currency. When the Rand strengthens you don't see outfitters lowering their prices in Rand.
I've found one who charges in Rand, and the savings are remarkable ($500 for a trophy Kudu). I'm sure there have to be others.
 
"Don't expect any savings. There was a thread on this a while ago and with the Rand falling there is more reason than ever now to price the hunts in US Dollars or Euro's."


There's no reason that savings wouldn't be had, other than just greed. Most of an outfitters costs are going to be in local currency. When the Rand strengthens you don't see outfitters lowering their prices in Rand.
I've found one who charges in Rand, and the savings are remarkable ($500 for a trophy Kudu). I'm sure there have to be others.

Bingo.
 
This is a topic I still need to get my head around to understand the concept...as a South African biltong hunter I was astonished to noticed a South African outfitter placing costs of a hunt in Zimbabwe where an Impala ( the biltong hunter`s bread and butter game ) that cost me about R900- R1000 costing a whopping $700 ( converted to our Rand currency totals to R11300, 55 ...the only reason I can think off is that Greed in capital letters /short cut to riches may be the rationale ....or motivation to ask such unrealistic prices...or it may be that I am missing something some where....:confused::confused:

Looking at this scenario, we do not need to fear the Greenies to succeed in getting it right to put a total ban on hunting ...no, no it will be the outfitters /game farms who will ensure that a normal average citizen will financially not be able to hunt anymore...every thing has it`s price...there is a limit to what hunters will feel comfortable with to pay for game..that limit is being reached according to many hunters I know..few of my friends will be hunting this year and next year....due to this scenario...
 
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............ The question is, are there are any S.A outfitters here who charge in Rand instead of USD?

If you lived in a country which had a currency that fluctuated like water in a toilet bowl, would you charge foreign hunters in Rand?
 
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If you lived in a country which had a currency that fluctuated like a toilet bowl would charge foreign hunters in Rand?

Well, considering that all other players in the tourism industry (including non-hunting/photo safaris) charge foreigners in Rand, I see no reason that hunting outfitters should be the exception.
 
Well, considering that all other players in the tourism industry (including non-hunting/photo safaris) charge foreigners in Rand, I see no reason that hunting outfitters should be the exception.



Interesting assertion that "all other players.....": I call BS.

I just did a Google search on Photo Safaris to see if you might just be right.
The first page on GOOGLE ALL were quoting in USD. I even stuck to South African searches.




Please let me know when you convince anyone to operate in RAND that makes a business offer outside the country.
Why would they take the risk?
 
I wonder if the savings is already built into the system. A number of outfitters in Canada also charge in US$ So, it actually gets more expensive for me to hunt in my home country. South African outfitters charge less for the hunt comparatively and provide more in the way of a trip. It's cheaper for me and my entire family to enjoy Africa then for me to go alone and hunt elk or moose in parts of Canada.
 
Interesting assertion that "all other players.....": I call BS.

I just did a Google search on Photo Safaris to see if you might just be right.
The first page on GOOGLE ALL were quoting in USD. I even stuck to South African searches.



Please let me know when you convince anyone to operate in RAND that makes a business offer outside the country.
Why would they take the risk?

Of course I did not check every single last one. Regarding the photo safari tours, I googled "south africa game reserves tickets" and clicked on the first link which was to "Sabi Sands game reserve" and the second with was to "shamwari game reserve", two fairly well known operations. Both display prices in Rand.
Regarding "other players" I looked quickly at other tourism industry actors, such as shark diving operators, wine tasting tours, car rentals and hotels. Most quote in ZAR.

"Why would they take the risk?"
What risk is that? A typical hunting tour operator does not have forex risk exposure.
 
The whole game with rand or dollar will be up to the client and outfitter. Some will give discounts for using the dollar other will not. For deals being done for years ahead must will put a rand to dollar value that may change your cost depending on how that stays down the road. Up to the hunter to make sure he knows what is in writing at the time the deal is done.
 
Of course you will buy "crisps" in Rand at the local corner store.
Head to SPAR and grab some Boerwors and you'll pay RAND.
When I buy Boerwors down the street from my house they want to be paid in CAD.

Selling hunts, tours to foreigners that are arranged outside the country, you'll be paying in an international currency. Pounds, Euro, USD.
 
My wife and I are hunting this year with a outfitter who is charging in rand. At the end of our hunt we will look up the Forex rate and pay accordingly with US
 
My wife and I are hunting this year with a outfitter who is charging in rand. At the end of our hunt we will look up the Forex rate and pay accordingly with US
Would you mind telling me who you're hunting with?
 
My wife and I are hunting this year with a outfitter who is charging in rand. At the end of our hunt we will look up the Forex rate and pay accordingly with US

I'd be surprised if an outfitter wouldn't do this, if asked. Whether you want to do this just really all depends on where you think the rand/dollar is going. If it goes from the current 16/1 to 20/1 then awesome. If it goes to 10/1, then oops....

The good thing to me about paying in dollar is that I don't have to worry about the "oops" a year from now. Now I also believe that it is up to me to look back as well and make sure that I don't pay the same dollar amount for a hunt this year at 16/1 as I would have last year at 11/1. The total dollars should be less, based on exchange rate alone.

Of course this way over simplifies as many other factors have to be taken into account, but the exchange rate does matter and a weak currency does help exports and hunting in Africa is an export business (assuming a foreign client of course).
 
The question is, are there are any S.A outfitters here who charge in Rand instead of USD?

The question really is will an outfitter adjust their dollar price for a hunt to reflect the current weakness of the rand. Many have, which is why you see the recent deals many of which specifically call out the exchange rate as the reason for the deal, some have not.

I've found one who charges in Rand, and the savings are remarkable ($500 for a trophy Kudu). I'm sure there have to be others.

What currency is used at the point the deal is struck is really irrelevant if you think about it. Would the above deal be less expensive today if the same outfitter charged $500 instead of whatever rand price he charges that you converted to $500?

Edit: if my post came across as snotty that wasn't the intention, kind of sounded that way when I read again. My point is that we all somethings think we get a better deal because of the currency itself, when those prices could be just as easily adjusted.
 
Of course this way over simplifies as many other factors have to be taken into account, but the exchange rate does matter and a weak currency does help exports and hunting in Africa is an export business (assuming a foreign client of course).

Great point! Unfortunately, due to outfitters charging in USD they are keeping the profits for themselves, instead of passing the saving on to their clients.
Also, since they are pricing in a foreign currency they are exposing themselves to exchange rate risks, as the vast majority of their fixed costs are in local currency. Should the Rand skyrocket, these outfitters will be in a tough situation.
 

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