Money

Currency

It's always advisable to bring money in a variety of forms on a vacation: a mix of cash, credit cards, and traveler's checks. You should also exchange enough petty cash to cover airport incidentals, tipping, and transportation to your hotel before you leave home, or withdraw money upon arrival at an airport ATM.

For the most favorable rates, change money at banks (the exception to this is Zimbabwe, where the bank exchange rate is far from favorable; because of the huge differences in exchange rates, the best currency in Vic Falls is foreign, including traveler's checks). Check www.xe.com/ucc for up-to-the-minute currency conversions.

The South African currency unit is the rand (R), with 100 cents making up R1. Notes come in R10, R20, R50, R100, and R200. Minted coins come in 1-, 2-, and 5-rand denominations, and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents -- small change doesn't buy much; use it for tips. In May 2007 the rand was hovering at R7.2 to US$1 and R14 to £1. While a few doomsayers continue to predict a fall in the rand's fortunes, there are certainly no indicators at this time to support this, so you shouldn't delay your vacation in hopes of a drop in the rand's value.

In the unlikely event that you will need the world's least valued currency unit while visiting Vic Falls, the revalued monetary unit (with Z$1,000 "old" Z$ = "revalued" Z$1) in Zimbabwe is still known as the Zimbabwe dollar, abbreviated as Z$ and comprising 100 cents. The conversion rate at press time was US$1 = Z$250,000, or £1 = Z$496,605, but with inflation at 3714% in April 2007, this is almost meaningless.

Note that travelers to Zimbabwe are usually required to pay for all lodging with credit cards or internationally convertible currency such as U.S. dollars or British pounds. The Zambian currency unit is the kwacha (K), in denominations of 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000 kwacha notes. Again, you're unlikely to need kwacha if you're staying in the lodges, which all charge in dollars or euros, and most places accept credit cards, but should you need to, the rate is around US$1 = K3,900 and the GBP = K7,744.

The pula (which, incidentally, means "rain") is the official currency of Botswana. One pula (P) is divided into 100 thebe. Bills come in P1, P2, P5, P10, P20, and P50, and coins in 1t, 2t, 5t, 10t, 25t, 50t, and P1. This is the most expensive region in southern Africa; at press time the exchange rates were P6.15 to US$1 and P12.21 to £1.

Traveler's Checks

Note that credit cards are generally accepted throughout southern Africa, particularly MasterCard and Visa (less so American Express), and you can use them to draw cash at ATMs, which you'll find throughout South Africa, making traveler's checks somewhat redundant.

You can get traveler's checks at almost any bank. American Express offers denominations of $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, and (for cardholders only) $1,000; you can also purchase them in South African rands. You'll pay a service charge ranging from 1% to 4%. You can also get American Express traveler's checks over the phone by calling tel. 800/221-7282; by using this number, Amex gold and platinum cardholders are exempt from the 1% fee. AAA members can obtain checks without a fee at most AAA offices or by calling tel. 866/339-3378.

Visa offers traveler's checks at Citibank locations nationwide, as well as several other banks. The service charge ranges between 1.5% and 2%; checks come in denominations of $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1,000. Call tel. 800/732-1322 for information. MasterCard also offers traveler's checks. Call tel. 800/223-9920 for a location near you.

ATMs

The easiest and best way to get cash away from home is from an ATM (automated teller machine), sometimes referred to as a "cash machine" or a "cashpoint." ATMs offering 24-hour service are located throughout South Africa, even in small towns (obviously this does not apply to lodges in remote locations like nature reserves). The Cirrus (tel. 800/424-7787; www.mastercard.com) and PLUS (tel. 800/843-7587; www.visa.com) networks span the globe; look at the back of your bank card to see which network you're on, then call or check online for ATM locations at your destination. This is important as a Visa card's PIN (personal identification number) will not apply at a MasterCard-accredited ATM, and vice versa, with the former accepting only a 4-digit PIN, while the latter accepts a 5- or 6-digit PIN. Be sure you know your PIN and daily withdrawal limit before you depart. Note: Remember that many banks impose a fee every time you use a card at another bank's ATM, and that fee can be higher for international transactions (up to $5 or more) than for domestic ones (where they're rarely more than $2). In addition, the bank from which you withdraw cash may charge its own fee. For international withdrawal fees, ask your bank.

Credit Cards

Credit cards, for use at ATMs and virtually any retailer in southern Africa, are the safest, most convenient way to carry money. They also provide a record of all your expenses, and they generally offer relatively good exchange rates. Keep in mind that you'll pay interest from the moment of your withdrawal, even if you pay your monthly bills on time. Also, note that many banks now assess a 1%-to-3% "transaction fee" on all charges you incur abroad (whether you're using the local currency or your native currency). American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and stores in South Africa, though the latter two are by far the most popular here. Camps in remote areas do not always have credit card facilities, but in all likelihood you will be booking and paying for these all inclusive experiences ahead of time. Note that MasterCard is not accepted in Zimbabwe at present. But for the most part, you'll find credit cards to be invaluable when you travel here.

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Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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				Frommer's South Africa, 5th Edition Author: Pippa de Bruyn Pub Date: December 05, 2007 Price: $23.99				Related Titles: Frommer's Morocco, 1st Edition