How does one transport his cash for trophy fees, tips and spending money that can run 10 to 20 thousand dollars. It would seem obvious that hunters would become the hunted in some of these 3rd world countries, knowing that we are coming with all this money.

driftwood,

In most cases you can make a trophy fee deposit with your booking agent just before leaving the States. With Bundu we have a suggested amount for each safari. We either bill you or refund you depending on the situation after the safari. That way tips and traveling money are all you need.

Mark

If you're dealing directly with the safari operator (no booking agent), first ask if they have a US bank account. If so, make a deposit there of estimated amount less a little. If not, get bank (cashier's) checks made out to operator in large chunks. If you expect to have a $10,000 bill, get 3-$3000 and 2-$500 checks, plus a couple thou in $100 travelers checks. (If you are banking at a small branch, give them a few days notice. They might not have 100's.)

I hate to arrive with no local currency, even $50 worth for phone, cab, etc. US is fine for tips in RSA, many other places. Also, you will likely need some local currency if you are driving around. Ask before you leave.

Regardless of all the above, NEVER travel to southern Africa without a decent supply of Benjies. They have gotten me out of more than one scrape.

You can get $1000 traveler checks before you go...Usually one has to order these...
As for tips I took larger denomintations cash for staff...Can't spend money in the Selous

Mike

I usually carry a wad of travlers checks. They are a pain in the a$$ to sign at the end though. I apparently get to many in the smaller denominations.

If I have no relationship, I use traveler's checks.

If I have a relationship, I use a personal check, or a wire after I get home.

Never cash.

On my plains games safaris I was able to credit card everything including the initial deposit. In the field could also credit card trophy fees then the outfitter would sat phone the cards and balances stateside that evening to his wife or perhaps another associate for deposit into their account. Could do PH tips this way also. Very, very handy.

Don't bring a Certifed Bank check, as the Banks there will not take them. Travelers checks are fine.

Ask your bank to get them and then go with some $1000.00 traveler's checks. Much handier!!!

The good thing about traveller checks (e.g. American Express) is that you are refunded in full if they are stolen, provided that they have not been signed twice and that you kept a note of the serial numbers...

They also do not have a time limit... So they are like a sort of safe cash...

For that feature I am willing to spend half an hour signing them after the hunt...

Antonio

Antonio,

Welcome to AR as I have not seen your postings previousily.

Do you have a son David? We may have hunted together in Alaska.


Now as to the topic, I have used bank checks and travelers checks and have not had a problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Blauwkamp:
Don't bring a Certifed Bank check, as the Banks there will not take them. Travelers checks are fine.

Not true!

Of late I saw an outfitter (forget the name) in Africa, whose website claimed travellers cheques were not accepted. I was very surprised to see this, as this is the way I have always paid sums outstanding - mostly using American Express. Have any of you ever run into an outfitter not accepting travellers cheques, and if yes was any reason given??

- mike

Only experience I have is with Zimbabwe but travelers checks are not a good deal for the outfitter/PH there. The only way you can redeem travellers checks in Zim is to have a bank account and run them thru it. When you do that you are forced to accept the official govt exchange rate which automatically steals part of your monies. You can of course try to exchange on the black market but that is also somewhat risky. That is why most people there don't want the payee field filled in when you give them the check. If it is left blank the check is then used as currency but this is dangerous if they are stolen. Of course I only have experience in Zim so this only applies there. Money transactions are a real problem for the people there.

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:
If I have no relationship, I use traveler's checks.

If I have a relationship, I use a personal check, or a wire after I get home.

Never cash.

Likewise. Large denomination T/C can be difficult to get here in Australia, but as one of the other blokes here said, just let your bank know in advance.

I take a mixture of travellors cheques in large notes, plus a mixture of smaller ones, plus usually a fair amount of cash. If you need to change a large one for a smaller amount, you will probably get change in local currency which might well be worthless. I like to take a couple of large cash notes as an emergency reserve. Nothing talks like cash if you need something in a real emergency eg chartering an emergency flight or whatever.

Another advantage of travellors cheques. I usually take some cash as well as travellors cheques but really don't like carry substantial amounts of either. If the outfitter can trust the client to do a bank transfer later it is a MUCH better way.

When I was last in Zimbabwe they were in the middle of a currency change. Entering the country one is supposed to fill out a form with all ones currency and presumably other funds as well. The PH told me of the previous client running into real problems, because he did not declare his cash and T/Cs on the way in. While it may seem silly, once upon a time, it was normal practice for many people in lots of countries in Africa.

On exiting the country he was searched and his remaining funds - $5,000 - discovered. The customs "officer" was going to confiscate it (and of course pocket it), but quick thinking by the PH, the PH said "Joe (not real name), you haven't paid all of my bill yet, you still owe me $5000." So he managed to get the customs "officer" to hand over the cash to him. "Joe" as a result had to get his refund some time later from a future client's deposit.

Having some Rand on hand in excess I decided it was wise to dispose of these as part of a tip to one of the PHs.

Travellors cheques if "confiscated" can be declared stolen (as they are in reality) and recovered from AMEX or whomever. But of course refuse to sign them if asked.

Also for something like this, in Zim at least demand to get a receipt from the Reserve Bank for the foreign currency.

VERY GOOD ADVICE to order in advance large denomination T/C bills. I didn't once and had over 80 of the bloody things to sign. On a restaurant table in Vic Falls with the PH, we had piles of notes all over the table. The waiter's eyes were popping.

I'm so tempted to regale you with another recitation of Use Enough Gun's money belt fiasco on the SAA commuter plane, but most of you have heard it.

This has been a helpful topic. I missed the story about the money belt? Go ahead...it's just bandwith.

The belt opened up and TC's were running down his leg as he walked...Checks unsigned...
Did a search and found it...

Mike

Ooo...not good.

Yes. Thanks Mike. About 15K all over the floor of the plane. Not a penny lost. It was, however, the last time he wore his money belt like a chastity belt.

I won't add to the suggestions of what SHOULD be done, but let me suggest that you NOT buy an American Express Traveler's Check CARD. You buy them in US $ denominations and then spend them like a prepaid debit card. The problem is you can't track the actual debit amount because you don't know the exchange rate of the moment. If you overspend the $ amount, the fees/interest rate are usurious. If you underspend the face amount you can be refunded but it is a real pain and takes a long time to get.