Cash on Safari

[Javaman]

Found myself a bit short of USD in 2023 and thankfully found some GBP stuffed in my travel wallet - the PH loved a little extra in GBP! Bringing about $6k USD in a couple of weeks to Limpopo to be on the safe side, mostly $100’s and $50’s with about $1k in $20’s, $10’s and $5’s so I can mix and match as needed.

 

[Fatback]

I take $200-300 in 5,10 and 20s for airport, gun service workers, etc…. Then I take $50s and $100s for tipping camp staff, trackers, skinners, PH etc.. I just get a list before hand so I have a good idea of how much will be needed.

 

[Greffdog]

Short version - determine cash availability where you will be going and how many staff members will be supporting you then plan accordingly.

Long version:

In South Africa I rely more on credit cards and ATM’s. Never hunted in SA but I’ve driven around the western cape quite a bit.

I did a photo safari in Tanzania and only had a few camp staff to tip, so had plenty left over for the guide.

In Zim I used all my cash for camp tips and didn’t have enough left for the PH and wired his with the final balance of my Safari bill. I would carry more next time as the drive home I felt a bit exposed without much cash. I underestimated how much supporting staff are part of a hunting safari - so that was on me.

 

[HankBuck]

Mike T. made a great point...they need to be crisp and not well used. I have exchanged $ with PHs that were left tips with old bills that they couldn't use in Africa. I brought them home and deposited them but they can't use them in Africa without taking a real beating on the exchange. In fact, a pro move would be to ask your PH if he's in good shape or needs you to bring crisp $ to exchange with him. You're doing his family a big favor.

@Green Chile - you bring up interesting information because I “thought” with the U.S. Dollar being the most preferred currency in the WORLD - any paper bill in reasonable condition would be OK….apparently Not.

 

[HankBuck]

Short version - determine cash availability where you will be going and how many staff members will be supporting you then plan accordingly.

Long version:

In South Africa I rely more on credit cards and ATM’s. Never hunted in SA but I’ve driven around the western cape quite a bit.

I did a photo safari in Tanzania and only had a few camp staff to tip, so had plenty left over for the guide.

In Zim I used all my cash for camp tips and didn’t have enough left for the PH and wired his with the final balance of my Safari bill. I would carry more next time as the drive home I felt a bit exposed without much cash. I underestimated how much supporting staff are part of a hunting safari - so that was on me.

@Greffdog - your post reminded me that I also “underestimated” the EXPECTED Camp Staff tip many years ago (2006) in TZ - I had finished a $20,000 10 day hunt and allocated $1500 for my PH tip and ‘anticipated’ $500 for his camp staff…..boy was I WRONG. When I asked my PH for his “suggested tips” for his Staff he gave me a written “suggestion” of $1500…. WOW, I barely was able to make it with the cash I had left. Looking back, I feel I should have given him a Total of $2000 cash and said “here, you figure it out”. I think it was ridiculous for me to tip the Camp staff a total of $1500 when —-at that time, a Registered Nurse in a TZ hospital made $200 a MONTH ….but I followed my PH’s “recommendation”.

 

[Green Chile]

I was specifically asked last year to bring some new currency to replace a bunch of tips that had been paid with old USD. Of course, I had no problem back in the US with old USD. Ask your PH before you go...could be a real help to them.

It's not that the old USD isn't worth something but apparently it isn't worth full value in their system (or has some risk) and the banks are not accepting it.

 

[JimP]

I'm surprised that someone hasn't mentioned a few oz of gold.

Small, compact and you can wear it around your neck or on your fingers.

 

[Sarg]

Some good pointers here, especially the bigger notes, damaged notes & newer notes

I know from the PH side, I have had Old & Damaged notes, no exchange anywhere will take, some even in the US as I tried to fix a few in DWF with ICE exchange no way when in transit but luckily in PHL Travalex took them & said no problem !

I was going to start a thread on this.

How to travel in Real Wild Africa with large amounts of cash ?

West Africa & such, I just never let go of my small back pack, even in the Jungle crawling, & staying in Mud huts, (use as pillow as none there) not really the best lol

So what do hunters & even just travelers use to carry cash & important papers ?

 

[Betterinthebush]

I'm surprised that someone hasn't mentioned a few oz of gold.

Small, compact and you can wear it around your neck or on your fingers.

Ok, guilty… I’m bringing some Krugerrands (silver). Silver is ~$32/oz. I bought the Krugerrands @ $15. Gonna try it and see.

 

[Rare Breed]

@Greffdog - your post reminded me that I also “underestimated” the EXPECTED Camp Staff tip many years ago (2006) in TZ - I had finished a $20,000 10 day hunt and allocated $1500 for my PH tip and ‘anticipated’ $500 for his camp staff…..boy was I WRONG. When I asked my PH for his “suggested tips” for his Staff he gave me a written “suggestion” of $1500…. WOW, I barely was able to make it with the cash I had left. Looking back, I feel I should have given him a Total of $2000 cash and said “here, you figure it out”. I think it was ridiculous for me to tip the Camp staff a total of $1500 when —-at that time, a Registered Nurse in a TZ hospital made $200 a MONTH ….but I followed my PH’s “recommendation”.

yes no way i’m tipping $1500 for camp staff meaning non trackers. i am very generous with my tips but that is ridiculous

 

[Rare Breed]

Some good pointers here, especially the bigger notes, damaged notes & newer notes

I know from the PH side, I have had Old & Damaged notes, no exchange anywhere will take, some even in the US as I tried to fix a few in DWF with ICE exchange no way when in transit but luckily in PHL Travalex took them & said no problem !

I was going to start a thread on this.

How to travel in Real Wild Africa with large amounts of cash ?

West Africa & such, I just never let go of my small back pack, even in the Jungle crawling, & staying in Mud huts, (use as pillow as none there) not really the best lol

So what do hunters & even just travelers use to carry cash & important papers ?

I take an around my neck pouch for my passport and cash. Goes inside my shirt

 

[deewayne2003]

I will echo what others have said by what I learned in Zimbabwe last year….

All bills better be the latest version and in pristine condition; especially $100 bills = the blue ones.

I brought 90% of my cash in new $100bills; and I even had to educate the local bank staff as to why only new and good condition bills were acceptable.

The other 10% of my bills were a mix of 20,10 & 5 dollar bills and glad I brought them to buy stuff and tip trackers and game rangers.

People in the rural areas will have a harder time breaking 100s so I tipped trackers and camp staff with a mix of smaller bills and I had a couple of trackers and skinners ask me to trade out new bills for their old worn out 20,10,5 & 1 dollar bills.

Which surprised me, but it made perfect sense as these bills have been changing hands locally for years on end.

Storage - I carried $200-300 in a mix of bills on me while hunting; the rest I locked in my Pelican ammo box in my room.

 

[coreydb]

Figure out ahead the people you should tip and the amount. Divide the total amount into USD of $5, $10, and $20. All else, use your credit/debit card. Be careful of the people who come out of nowhere at the airport, touch your luggage like they're helping, then have their hand out expecting money. Don't do it.

 

[HankBuck]

Ok, guilty… I’m bringing some Krugerrands (silver). Silver is ~$32/oz. I bought the Krugerrands @ $15. Gonna try it and see.

@Betterinthebush - why would anyone carry Silver when it is only valued at $32 an oz? That’s only $500 a POUND …..so for $10,000 you need to lug around 20 POUNDS? (Two Double Rifles?)… that’s NOT easy. At least Gold is trading over $3000 an OZ.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

@swashington - it’s 2025, do you consider taking $1000 “carrying cash”? That’s lunch money ! When I went on Safari in 2006 I carried $10,000 cash and had my 18 yr old Son carry another $10,000 —- we were a bit “Stuffed” wearing fat money belts and plump wallets. Unless they start printing new $500 Bills soon we won’t be able to carry a meaningful amount of cash — with Safaris now costing $50,000–$100,000. I know some disagree but I Always carry ample cash when traveling - it can come in handy.

Same boat and logic. I took over $30k into Zim for my Ele/Leopard hunt. I declared it coming in so there were zero issues with the money. Had issues elsewhere but a couple 1’s 5’s and 20’s from my wallet solved that

 

[Betterinthebush]

@Betterinthebush - why would anyone carry Silver when it is only valued at $32 an oz? That’s only $500 a POUND …..so for $10,000 you need to lug around 20 POUNDS? (Two Double Rifles?)… that’s NOT easy. At least Gold is trading over $3000 an OZ.

Lol! Dude, I probably should have been chrystlal clear. My fault.

No. I’m not carrying pounds of silver into Namibia. I’m carrying in just a few (less than a dozen between my wife and I) ounces. I love bartering and trading. My safari goes a little further beyond hunting, so I’m coming with cheap money. If some of the camp help want to trade.. I’m open to bargain.

I love bargaining and negotiating. A lot of folks.. not so much.

 

[JimP]

If I remember right I saw a movie where a person wore a gold link chain around his neck. Whenever he needed to pay for something or needed cash money he would just take one or more of the links out and trade it for cash or services.

 

[Cotton King]

I take an around my neck pouch for my passport and cash. Goes inside my shirt

I’m interested in your method. Can you please share the name of the pouch that you use and where it can be purchased? Thanks

 

[Hunt anything]

I have a money belt that holds $3000 or there snouts if folded correctly. It’s supposedly to be wearable through scanning but I take it off and send it through with my shoes. It fits in standard belt loops. I carry another $500 to $1000 in my wallet in different dollar amounts.

My passport goes in a zippered breast pocket of my shirt.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I take an around my neck pouch for my passport and cash. Goes inside my shirt

I use the same. Around the neck pouch. Cash, passport, credit cards. Slot for plane tickets etc. I also put inside shirt. Usually under left arm or chest.