Читать книгу (101 things to know when you go) ON SAFARI IN AFRICA - Patrick Brakspear - Страница 9

I would recommend that you carry a combination of cash (preferably US$ for most countries…and Rand for South Africa an d Namibia) and at least one credit card (preferably more than one).

You may find little use for local currency on safari, although it can be handy for road-side purchases and possibly tipping (with US dollars, or South African Rand in southern African countries, keenly accepted by staff as a gratuity). Nearly all bills can be settled using your credit card (be sure to ask if there is a surcharge) and most items in camp/lodge gift shops are priced in US$ and can be purchased using cash. In the major towns, ATMs will also allow you to draw additional funds (in local currency only – please note).

As mentioned in the previous chapter, ‘cash cards’ or ‘travel cards’ which can be pre-loaded with the desired currencies, are generally not suitable for Africa – in the main because the destination currencies, even the South African Rand, are not commonly traded (and hence are not offered by travel card companies).

Travellers cheques (checks) have become less acceptable in Africa in recent times (for example, Tanzania is no longer accepting them, even at the bank) and they are mostly refused outside of the banking system (i.e. camps and lodges).