Should I convert some $$s into Zim currancy for my upcoming hunt? Will they honor SA Rands in Zimbabwe like they do in Namibia?

Just seems like Zim money is just too unstable to deal with.

What do you "veteran" Zim hunters do about money in Zimbabwe.

STOP !!!!!! No one in the world wants Zim money especially the people in Zimbabwe.

Don't get Rands either as they want U.S. dollars. Any contract you sign will either tie the dollar amount to the US dollar or the Euro.

Try to use your credit card as much as possible and make sure they do it in US dollars.

One other little trick...if you give them a $10 US bill to buy something you will get change in Zim dollars even though they have US dollars in the drawer and if you want to buy something with Zim money before you go you will have a hard time getting them to take it,

DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT convert your $$$ to Zim dollars. They will take your $$$ just fine.

What about the little roadside craft markets. Don't I need a little Zim money to buy some of those hideous carvings they sell? ("I got this at a little shop in Zimbabwe. That's in Africa, you know.")

Yes, I know that most of the "important" transactions will take place utilizing travelers checks in good-old-US-of-A dollars!

GAHUNTER,

Even the roadside markets will grab your USD. In fact, you'll get a substantial discount if you show them your USD. This is the case with pretty much anything you buy in Zim. Sad.

If the quality for the paper is high enough, a fist full of low denomination bill should be just right for the CALL OF NATURE

Hog Killer

GA- Use US$ cash. Carry a fair collection of low denomination notes. Yes you will end up with some Zim Dollars in change and if you are making a large purchace you may want to shop arround for the best deal on your dollars.

Do NOT use a credit card except to pay the outfitter (if he will take it)- Reason - credit card transactions have to be done at the official rate. and depending on which bank processes the transaction depends on which of the two official rates gets used.

Street value of the US$ this morning is 9500:1
Government auction rate (official 1) is 6045:1
Government transfer rate (official 2) is 824:1

So you walk into a shop and they say that matebele shield and spear is 2 million zim, and the indian behind the counter negotiates a rate of say 9300:1 (Indian traders always make an extra margin!) then your souvenier will cost you US$215 if you have cash.

If you run a credit card and they use one of the small banks your souvenier will cost you US$330 (pluss bank charges)

If it is a hotel or big operation and they use one of the international banks then your souvenier will cost you US$2427 - ouch!

Cash is good, but all 1996 (or newer)series for your 20,50 and 100 dollar bills please or you will have to change them at the bank at 6045:1 (less bank charges of US$10 per note changed)

The rates will undoubtably have slipped alot more by the time you get here. The bet is weather we will break the 20,000:1 barrier by Christmas ( and to think at indipendence in 1980 you could buy a coke and packet of chips at the airport and get a US$ in the change!)

Not to sound toooooooo arrogant ...

AND people still want to vist the place and hunt there .... Me and OLD MAN Ray are on the same wavelengh it seems AVOID the place like the plague ... Unless someone has a bright idea how to get rid of Robber Bob

take care and dont listen to good advice when you get it, use your brain not your heart

quote:

What about the little roadside craft markets. Don't I need a little Zim money to buy ...

I stopped at one of the markets w/Buzz and bought some trinkets. They would not take dollars, Buzz said that they did not have the "official paperwork" to get it converted to Zim dollars at the bank. Perhaps Ganyana can clarify, and I am sure that in some places USD's are accepted. Buzz paid them and I paid Buzz. I would not convert any myself. In Zambia, USD's worked fine but as was said, you don't get change in USD's.

And "YES" BB, I [we] still want to visit the country to hunt with the best PH's in the business...


PS: Take a cheap calculator or two w/the conversion rate taped to it. This also helps tally up the costs at the end of the safari. Leave it with the PH, he'll love it.

I have hunted Zim for the last 8 years and have NEVER converted US to ZIM and have NEVER had a problem. I normally spend 2 months there each year and have not one time had US dollars refused. I may be the exception but I have only once had any problem hunting in Zim and that was with a farm that was closed. I was told before hand and we didn't even try to go to the farm but found substitue hunting albeit not for the Lion I wanted. It is still the best value for the dollar (US) that exists in Africa.

I agree with Zimbabwe, I've hunted Zim starting in the late 1990's. I've always bought carvings along the road with US dollars, never had anyone refuse them! I got a much better deal using US dollars too!!!

DO NOT EXCHANGE FOR ZIM DOLLARS!!!!!!!!

I am contemplating going to Zim for the first time in 2006. I would like to ask about how many US$$ would you take for a safari lasting about 18 days.

Also (and this has been covered before) I guess the country is still safe for Americans.