For those who might not be following it, the Rand-Dollar exchange rate is higher or lower, depending on your POV, than it has been for several years, over 11 R to 1 US$ today. It might make incidental expenses a bit cheaper in RSA or Namibia.

Not only a bit cheaper, I dropped my prices a lot, which I think is fair to my clients. I stiil make my money and at the same time I can make it more affordable for my clients. A win win situation.

I ordered my Rands in 2 months ago when i thought i had a good deal.

Most banks do not stock Rands and they charge you to order the money in.

What's a good amount to get exchanged. Going to RSA the last few days in September to the first week in October. Gonna have many questions.

quote:

Originally posted by Bayou:
What's a good amount to get exchanged. Going to RSA the last few days in September to the first week in October. Gonna have many questions.

Speak to your outfitter, I take it that you will be hunting, he will be able to give you a good idea of the amount of money you will need. You can use your credit card to withdraw money from atm's, you can check with your bank but I am reasonably sure you can use your other cards as well. You can exchange money on the airport as well or draw from a cash machine. Do some research on the charges for the different options. Banks and exchange bureaus have longer hours at OR Tambo airport, not sure about the other international airports as I never pick up clients from them.

Oh Yes, don't carry too much cash on you.

Jaco is probably the exception in lowering his rates. Much of the expense that an outfitter incurs is in the form of imported products like tires, gasoline, trucks, and other goods manufactured outside of S.A. This means that his "hard currency" needs are still the same. Only labor, food, and other domestic products cost less, so it would be difficult for an outfitter to lower prices on a one-to-one ratio.

But three cheers for Jaco for giving his clients a better deal than otherwise.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:
Jaco is probably the exception in lowering his rates. Much of the expense that an outfitter incurs is in the form of imported products like tires, gasoline, trucks, and other goods manufactured outside of S.A. This means that his "hard currency" needs are still the same. Only labor, food, and other domestic products cost less, so it would be difficult for an outfitter to lower prices on a one-to-one ratio.

But three cheers for Jaco for giving his clients a better deal than otherwise.

You have it 100 % .. Fuel already at $ 6 + a gallon and rising ... A $ still stays a dollar .. Our marketing costs rose 40 % since last year ... The incidentals bought in SA or Namibia will be cheaper . Have you seen airtickets come down because of this .... NO . It is a volitile currency and can go he other way tomorrow . Buffalo prices have come down a little but for the rest I do not see much change ...

Fuel prices are a bastard in most places...... We're currently at $8 per gallon here in Portugal........ The Americans don't know how lucky they are in that respect.

Mind you. Their downside is they've got Obama!

Mind you. Their downside is they've got Obama! [/QUOTE]

Steve that is a BIG down side, but mid terms in Nov. I think/hope his party will be gutted

Jeff

I surely hope so......

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
Fuel prices are a bastard in most places...... We're currently at $8 per gallon here in Portugal........ The Americans don't know how lucky they are in that respect.

Mind you. Their downside is they've got Obama!

Once the full impact of fracking comes in you will see US fuel prices drop by at least one third. We will have the ability to stop importing oil and become an exporter. That should have the impact of lowering prices worldwide. Maybe then the price of a kudu will drop!

The rand will drop even more as Zuma goes ahead and starts taking farms as he has said he will do. Some investors will pull out of SA, and others will be reluctant to invest in SA. History repeating it's self here........

Just watch it go into freefall if that useless moron Malema ever gets into power!

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
Fuel prices are a bastard in most places...... We're currently at $8 per gallon here in Portugal........ The Americans don't know how lucky they are in that respect.

Mind you. Their downside is they've got Obama!

Steve, I grew up in Europe. In spite of having Obama, we are still better off then anybody else by very long shot.
But then again, I'm biased. I couldn't live in Europe even for free. Visit, yes, living there, I would have to be crazy...

I find it rather interesting that most of the add on services in South Africa that I was charged after the fact were billed in USD, and then I got tagged a currency exchange fee...

When I brought the hunt it was quoted in USD at the time and the contract was in USD, so I have no issue with that. However, the dip and pack (which I did not do appropriate due diligence on, so bad on me) was not the usual bulk fee I was used to in Tanz or Zim, but rather broken down rather significantly, to the point that South African Government charges were added in as lined items (in USD at that).... The dip and pack was almost as high as the trophy fee in many cases. 6 animals in SA cost as much to get to my taxidermist as the full 21 day hunt in Tanz did.

Kudos to the SA outfitters that take care of their customers and offer a fair value.

To the rest of us, do your due diligence on the incidentals!

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:
Jaco is probably the exception in lowering his rates. Much of the expense that an outfitter incurs is in the form of imported products like tires, gasoline, trucks, and other goods manufactured outside of S.A. This means that his "hard currency" needs are still the same. Only labor, food, and other domestic products cost less, so it would be difficult for an outfitter to lower prices on a one-to-one ratio.

But three cheers for Jaco for giving his clients a better deal than otherwise.

Sure add my: " for Jaco (and all other who do/did) for lowering his (their) prices in response to the slipping of the Rand value."

But then at the same time thumbs up for all who quoted prices in South African rand, as their prices in US $ terms also decreased exactly as much as the rand lost value!

In good hunting.

Use your credit card. Or go to a bank to exchange no fees. Call credit card company that you are traveling to RSA.

Mike

It is bloody near 11 to 1 today!!

quote:

Originally posted by Jaco Human:

quote:

Originally posted by Bayou:
What's a good amount to get exchanged. Going to RSA the last few days in September to the first week in October. Gonna have many questions.

Speak to your outfitter, I take it that you will be hunting, he will be able to give you a good idea of the amount of money you will need. You can use your credit card to withdraw money from atm's, you can check with your bank but I am reasonably sure you can use your other cards as well. You can exchange money on the airport as well or draw from a cash machine. Do some research on the charges for the different options. Banks and exchange bureaus have longer hours at OR Tambo airport, not sure about the other international airports as I never pick up clients from them.

Oh Yes, don't carry too much cash on you.

You hunting again Jaco? Well come back! Where have you been ?

Most full time Outfitters in SA will not drop their prices because of this. We fell on hard times in 2008 to 2011, and this might be artificial, falling back again in three months. Also, our fuel hit through the rough and all imported produce will skyrocket. Like vehicle parts.Guides that hunt part time can drop their prices as they do a limited amount of hunts per year supplemented by another income.

is not to say some off us will make good deals on some PG hunts. The risk however becomes big on the high dollar hunts if it slips back for some or other reason.

quote:

Originally posted by infinito:

quote:

Originally posted by Jaco Human:

quote:

Originally posted by Bayou:
What's a good amount to get exchanged. Going to RSA the last few days in September to the first week in October. Gonna have many questions.

Speak to your outfitter, I take it that you will be hunting, he will be able to give you a good idea of the amount of money you will need. You can use your credit card to withdraw money from atm's, you can check with your bank but I am reasonably sure you can use your other cards as well. You can exchange money on the airport as well or draw from a cash machine. Do some research on the charges for the different options. Banks and exchange bureaus have longer hours at OR Tambo airport, not sure about the other international airports as I never pick up clients from them.

Oh Yes, don't carry too much cash on you.

You hunting again Jaco? Well come back! Where have you been ?

Most full time Outfitters in SA will not drop their prices because of this. We fell on hard times in 2008 to 2011, and this might be artificial, falling back again in three months. Also, our fuel hit through the rough and all imported produce will skyrocket. Like vehicle parts.Guides that hunt part time can drop their prices as they do a limited amount of hunts per year supplemented by another income.

is not to say some off us will make good deals on some PG hunts. The risk however becomes big on the high dollar hunts if it slips back for some or other reason.

Charl I never stopped hunting, I just was not very active on the forums. I re married and I also helped my wife out in her business, that gave me limited time to spend on forums and as you know the USA and Europe went through a rough time and the R strength made it unaffordable for many foreign hunters to hunt in Africa.

As for the depreciation of the R, it is much different now from 2008, the world economy took a major dip and the R gained a lot. The circumstances are very different now and it is expected to last at least the next 2 years. While the R exchange rate is high I cannot see why clients cannot benefit out of it. I quote on the current rates and my quote is valid for a certain time frame and payments must be done in a certain time frame. I cannot quote a year in advance, but I will give my clients a fair deal taking the exchange rate in consideration.

The things that hammers us the most is the rising fuel prices and food prices or shall I rather say the taxes we pay on them.

[/QUOTE] The things that hammers us the most is the rising fuel prices and food prices or shall I rather say the taxes we pay on them.[/QUOTE]
+1 it is a joke to see how much we pay the government. Best of all most of them cant even read

Zuma trying to say R939 360 000.00

Geez, I sure hope that Alaskan Outfitter I'm talking to about my bear hunt is going to give me a break seeing how the Rand slipped against the US$!

When he quoted me the Rand was trading at 8/1... a few days ago it was 11/1 which means I'm gonna have to dig out more Rands for the same hunt... Guess it's only fair for me to expect a discount - not

The Rand is falling faster than Saddam at the end of a rope. With the platinum mining strikes on and strike season still to follow, Zimbabawe here we come.
On the lunchtime news today, all foreign owned security companies will have to be 51% black owned. Oh, and Robert MacBride, the Durban Magoo Bar Bomber terrorist, drunken, is now head of IPID.
http://mg.co.za/article/2013-1...mcbride-as-ipid-head

We got screwed over BIG TIME by the Reserve Bank on the exchange rates when we left RSA 2 1/2 years ago but what's happening now is far worse.

Anyone in RSA trying to move money out right now really have my sympathies....... & what's more, I doubt things will improve in the foreseeable future!

Jaco, good to have you back! Are you hunting full time now?

Chris, Well said.....

Steve, how did they screw you?

Charl,

I'd rather not go into exact details of our finances on a public forum but broadly speaking they did it in a variety of ways.

Firstly, we had to leave because we were not residents and they wouldn't give us residency but they then treated us as residents by forcing the Reserve Bank regulations on us and then by delaying the permission to move money by about 4 x what they are allowed to do which resulted in our losing a significant percentage of our investment plus one or two other things.

I was not best pleased at the time but in fact, the move was one of the best things that we could have done and because of the move, we've also made our money back and more since we came here.

Even if offered the chance to make a permanent return, we'd never consider going back.

RSA is a wonderful country in many respects but it's problem is the wrong people are in charge of it......... however I'm bloody sure you know that already!

quote:

Steve, I grew up in Europe. In spite of having Obama, we are still better off then anybody else by very long shot.
But then again, I'm biased. I couldn't live in Europe even for free. Visit, yes, living there, I would have to be crazy...

My words!!! I was born and raised in Germany, now living more than 30 years in South Africa. Should SA ever turn into something like Zimbabwe, I wouldn't return to Europe. Two years ago I visited Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska. Wow, that's where I would go, from the very first day I felt at home. Next year I'll go again. Can't wait to say hello to the folks in Billings and Rapid City, as well as to my Lakota guide from Pine Ridge reservation.

AND here we go...Just heard over the news that our interest rates was raised by.5%

Charl, Yes I will basically hunt full time, I still have other interests that take up a bit of my time and I will still help my wife with her business when I am not hunting. I got to keep busy in the non hunting season can't sit at home drinking beer.

Chris, Why don't you do a swop hunt, it will work better for both of you.

quote:

Originally posted by Jaco Human:
Chris, Why don't you do a swop hunt, it will work better for both of you.

Jaco, yes, swopping hunts is a good option when you have something to offer in return and the other party is is interested in what you're offering.

My post was tongue in cheek but I'm sure you knew that...

I think the point is this...

In 10 years my daily rates went from $350 to $450. Those who want to can do the math and figure out what the average annual increase was over 10 years. At the same time they should calculate the increase in living expenses over 10 years... What did a bread cost 10 years ago comparing to now and what did a gallon of gas cost then comparing to now?

In spite of what my contract says re rates and fees being subject to exchange rates I have always refrained from upping rates after a contract was signed - more often than not I did so to my own detriment.

Sometimes we win as result of the fluctuating exchange rate - sometimes we lose and this is the point I'm making.

I am not critical of you or anyone else for dropping your rates because of the current ex-rate. We all do business in our own way and have our reasons for it.

But whilst the current favourable exchange rate certainly gives me as Outfitter some leeway in terms of price negotiations I'd personally be wary of offering blanket reduced rates as we don't know how long this will last and basing rates on speculation on what is going to happen over the next 2 years is in my opinion a little dangerous.

quote:

Originally posted by ChrisTroskie:
Geez, I sure hope that Alaskan Outfitter I'm talking to about my bear hunt is going to give me a break seeing how the Rand slipped against the US$!

When he quoted me the Rand was trading at 8/1... a few days ago it was 11/1 which means I'm gonna have to dig out more Rands for the same hunt... Guess it's only fair for me to expect a discount - not

Tongue in cheek or not, it is a dumb example. The hunt would, undoubtedly, have been priced in dollars and dollars are the currency of exchange in that location. You, as a buyer, could have locked in or paid at the current dollar/rand exchange rate. If you chose not to, and the rate went against you, that is 100% your problem, not the outfitters.

I don't have any problem with hunts priced in rand or dollars, but if they are priced in rand, then the seller is, in effect, going long the rand for the date of the hunt or when full payment is due. The buyer, just the opposite, is short the rand until he pays the price.

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:

quote:

Originally posted by ChrisTroskie:
Geez, I sure hope that Alaskan Outfitter I'm talking to about my bear hunt is going to give me a break seeing how the Rand slipped against the US$!

When he quoted me the Rand was trading at 8/1... a few days ago it was 11/1 which means I'm gonna have to dig out more Rands for the same hunt... Guess it's only fair for me to expect a discount - not

Tongue in cheek or not, it is a dumb example. The hunt would, undoubtedly, have been priced in dollars and dollars are the currency of exchange in that location. You, as a buyer, could have locked in or paid at the current dollar/rand exchange rate. If you chose not to, and the rate went against you, that is 100% your problem, not the outfitters.

I don't have any problem with hunts priced in rand or dollars, but if they are priced in rand, then the seller is, in effect, going long the rand for the date of the hunt or when full payment is due. The buyer, just the opposite, is short the rand until he pays the price.

Is it really such a dumb example? I price my hunts in Dollars too - as do most... US Dollars are in fact the currency of exchange for most South African Outfitters who hunt with Americans There are some exceptions but I did use the word "most"

Why should an American hunter expect a discount because the exchange rate changed positively for him if a South African cannot claim a discount if the exchange rate changed negatively for him?

For what it is worth. I never consider exchange rates, either I want to go at the quoted rate or I don't. It is that simple.

I am going to Burkina next year. The hunt is priced in Euros. I have paid for half the hunt. In the mean time I am at the mercy of the currency markets. It's just the risk you take. I would never think to ask for a discount after the price was agreed upon.

quote:

Why should an American hunter expect a discount because the exchange rate changed positively for him if a South African cannot claim a discount if the exchange rate changed negatively for him?

If the price is already agreed upon, I wouldn't expect, nor ask for a discount. I also don't see anyone in this thread asking for a discount.

OTOH, if the price was published when the rand was 8 to 1 and it is now 11 to 1, as an example, I might ask what the current price is now while shopping with possible outfitters. The ones who adjust downward a bit would be more likely to get more business IMO. I expect trophy fees from the ranch owner for animals are usually priced to the Ph/outfitter in rand, for one example.

Everyone has to make a living, and I don't think anyone thinks that many outfitters, and certainly many PHs, make a killing. As I said in my opening post, it might make in country expenses a bit more reasonable, especially before they have a chance to adjust.

As an example, I've had essentially the same steak dinner with wine and potatoes in Argentina many times over the years and to repeat, the same meal at the same restaurant, Las Nazarenas, has cost between about US$7 and US$55 with the exchange rate in pesos, new pesos, australes, new new pesos, etc. It all depended on the timing of the cycle.

Funny thing about safari pricing - they go up exceedingly fast, but are stubbornly slow to come back down - if ever. Been that way for 30+ years that I have been watching them.

The bottom line is hunting in RSA is now largely a commodity item. You don't have to accept the first three quotes you get from a PH. Trust me, there are a bunch of very, very hungry PH's floating around RSA these days. The glory days are over.

If you're after quality animals, then you will pay for them. If you are after a hunting experience, they're a dime a dozen now.

Personally, I loving the current exchange rate.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Funny thing about safari pricing - they go up exceedingly fast, but are stubbornly slow to come back down - if ever. Been that way for 30+ years that I have been watching them.

Yup. I've noticed exactly the same thing with the price of fuel, food, booze, firearms, ammo, taxes & pretty much everything else over a similar time period. Weird huh!

The bottom line is hunting in RSA is now largely a commodity item. You don't have to accept the first three quotes you get from a PH. Trust me, there are a bunch of very, very hungry PH's floating around RSA these days. The glory days are over.

True....... but only for those not worth their salt. If you want quality it comes at a price just like it does with cars, firearms, food & anything/everything else previously mentioned.

If you're after quality animals, then you will pay for them. If you are after a hunting experience, they're a dime a dozen now.

Not all experiences are good ones. See my previous comment about quality coming at a price.

Personally, I loving the current exchange rate.

Lets hope it doesn't go the same way as the Zim dollar though!

More seriously, there are good deals out there but there always has been. However, it's sensible to remember that you don't get what you don't pay for.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:

More seriously, there are good deals out there but there always has been. However, it's sensible to remember that you don't get what you don't pay for.

As they say, every Dutchman with 20 hectare is a PH.

Just wait till the new training requirements come in...... All clients will be expected to call their PHs Professor!

Oh boy , you hit it on the nail Steve.
WE all just hope, RSA, Zim ... will not ruin themselves for good.
When currencies fall fast and far, it's hell to pay in those countries.