Cash

[JGH]

First safari has been booked, so I’m thinking logistics.

One issue that concerns me: If I’m bringing cash (for tips, for instance,) how do I do that safely?

Seems like I might need quite a bit to just carry in a wallet, for instance.

And will I need to declare an amount as I enter SA?

So, just logistically, how do you all work it?

 

[forshoes]

I used a light money belt to keep it hidden on my person. The new online SA system wants to know how much you are bringing in, but I was not checked on entry in Johanneburg.

For tips, at least in SA, make sure the bills are in pristine condition. My PH told me the banks will not accept bills that are torn or that have any writing on them. I changed a couple of bills with him that their banks would not accept from a previous hunter.

 

[Shaw]

I had $16,000 cash in envelope from bank in my carryon bag didn't declare anything cause none of it was coming back. Had zero troubles

 

[Badjer]

PM sent

 

[Javaman]

Agree with above - get as new as possible USD and use basic travel sense - split it up a bit, have a hidden wallet, use hotel safes, etc. It’s not like people are jumping at you to steal your wallet but airports get crowded and best to just use common sense. Limit is $10k before you have to declare. I’ve never spent more than $5-6k USD on tips.

 

[Hunt anything]

I have used a money belt for most of my cash, I keep +or- $200 in my wallet mostly 10’s and 20’s and maybe one $100. The rest goes in the belt, normally the amount I plan for extra trophy fees rarely over $3,000. Lately I’ve relied more on wire transfers either before the safari or if the operator is okay with it after I get home. After all he does have your trophies and you’re not going to get them unless you pay for them.
You can also use a Credit Card in most of South Africa.
Everyone at OR Tambo is going to have their handout , just ignore them and act like you don’t hear them and that you know what you’re doing. You can hire a meet and greet for getting through the airport.

 

[DLSJR]

@JGH , you’ve been given good advice already. If taking less than $10,000 out of the USA there is no need to declare it to US Customs (Don’t get cute and take $9,900). The US doesn’t restrict what you take out in cash but has anti-money laundering and trafficking laws that have this $10,000 threshold. If taking $10,000 or more you have to declare it. Failure to do so can result in seizure.

Once traveling, I simply have my cash divided up and I keep it on my person, in deep pockets that have Velcro or zippered closures. I never put cash, wallet or valuables in back pockets. Tactical pants are great as they have lots of deep pockets in front and on side of legs. I like 5.11 tactical pants in Khaki for traveling. They’re secure, very comfortable and look nice for traveling.

Never put cash where someone else can access it without you knowing what is going on (I.e. don’t put it in your backpack or carryon, ever). Keep it on your person. Once in camp, lock it inside your ammo box or gun case until you need it at the end of your hunt. I lock mine inside my ammo box, then lock ammo box inside my Tuffpak.

Keep a low profile, stay aware, don’t pull out much cash at any one time and you’ll be fine.

 

[375Fox]

I’ve never traveled with more than $5000 to any country. For South Africa you shouldn’t need to travel with an excessive amount of cash. Credit cards are widely accepted there. Discuss with your outfitter how he’d like final payment. I’ve done both wire and credit card. I only use cash for tips. While in camp, I lock it in my empty rifle case.

 

[analog_peninsula]

I've also read the suggestion that you might keep 30-50 $1 bills in your pocket as an emergency distraction, meaning if you find yourself in a threat situation, simply toss the money up in the air and run. I'll simply say the best strategy is always to avoid potential threat situations, but I found the idea intriguing and original.

 

[deewayne2003]

I've also read the suggestion that you might keep 30-50 $1 bills in your pocket as an emergency distraction, meaning if you find yourself in a threat situation, simply toss the money up in the air and run. I'll simply say the best strategy is always to avoid potential threat situations, but I found the idea intriguing and original.

Take 50-$1 bills and wrap 1-$100 bill on the outside, if confronted pull the wad of cash out and show it to the assailant and throw cash in one direction and run the other.

 

[375Fox]

I've also read the suggestion that you might keep 30-50 $1 bills in your pocket as an emergency distraction, meaning if you find yourself in a threat situation, simply toss the money up in the air and run. I'll simply say the best strategy is always to avoid potential threat situations, but I found the idea intriguing and original.

Take 50-$1 bills and wrap 1-$100 bill on the outside, if confronted pull the wad of cash out and show it to the assailant and throw cash in one direction and run the other.

Thinking like this will lead to a lot more problems than it solves. Thieves look for people that are scared or expecting the worst. Having a huge wad of cash even $1s draws attention. Hunters are generally picked up and delivered directly to airport by either PH or other chaperone. There won’t be an issue in South Africa with hunters, but someone might have a problem checking in rifle elsewhere. They know they have you at that point with a flight to catch. You aren’t going to be throwing $1s and running from office in airport. Put a limited amount of cash in your wallet in smaller bills and be prepared to say no or no more. Keep rest of cash in larger denominations in backpack out of sight. Pulling out a full wallet or money clip gives them opportunity to be greedy. Again though, South Africa is a developed country. The airport is professional. There won’t be issues. It’s not Cameroon or Zimbabwe. After you leave airport, you’ll be with PH.