Still in the planning stage for my 2012 Safari. The PH says I can "wire" him the deposit, and I can use his computer to transfer the final funds after the hunt is completed. It sounds easy; but my bank is making it sound difficult and expensive because its international. I thought about using Traveler's Cheques; but my bank says the largest denominations they can get are $100, and then Im worried about taking "that much" cash. Isnt there a limit of the amount that can be taken out of the country? It would be so much easier if I could use a credit card for the deposit and the final expenses.

My Safari is in So Afrika. It seems like a good idea to have some Local Currency; but how much? Ive heard that tips (especially for the staff) should be in the local currency, to save them the costs of exchanging it. So where should I convert my U.S. dollars for local currency. Im sure there's a fee for it; but it probably varies for different locations--where's the best place to spend my dollars to get local money?

How much cash do you carry?

This is just a Plains Game hunt, so I dont envision needing more than $10K; but how do you guys who do long and multi species Dangerous Game hunts handle $50K+ transactions?

Dear Edelweiss

One advantage of using a booking agent it to pay them the money and let them sort it out.

I have used travels checks before yes you need a book full. Worked fine.

I also pay for a portion of game, as if you have done your home work you will shoot some thing.

Usually send around $1000

Last trip we did a lot of tripping around between hunts. We spent $3,000 (wife and 2 kids)

Do not tip in US$ just a wast of time for them.
They will also get ripped of swapping it over.
First time I went to Zim gave the $5.00 for a tip when I shot the first animal. Aus money is plastic and looks flash. The trackers went around telling ever one I have given them the richest money in the world and it was worth $100 US$. The PH came up to me and said what have you done. As I only gave him a $30 bottle of scotch.

I informed him I gave them $5 each.

Nothing like a good story to get your self cashed up. Note $1.00 Aus = 0.63 US at the time.

Last trip I paid for very thing up front, even our spending money. Collected it from the air port apon arrival from the PH. Yes I know where my booking agent lives.

Sorry not really a lot of help. But any way.

Work out the beer money and the rest will fall into place.

Regards Mark

quote:

Originally posted by EDELWEISS:
Still in the planning stage for my 2012 Safari. The PH says I can "wire" him the deposit, and I can use his computer to transfer the final funds after the hunt is completed. It sounds easy; but my bank is making it sound difficult and expensive because its international. I thought about using Traveler's Cheques; but my bank says the largest denominations they can get are $100, and then Im worried about taking "that much" cash. Isnt there a limit of the amount that can be taken out of the country? It would be so much easier if I could use a credit card for the deposit and the final expenses.

My Safari is in So Afrika. It seems like a good idea to have some Local Currency; but how much? Ive heard that tips (especially for the staff) should be in the local currency, to save them the costs of exchanging it. So where should I convert my U.S. dollars for local currency. Im sure there's a fee for it; but it probably varies for different locations--where's the best place to spend my dollars to get local money?

How much cash do you carry?

This is just a Plains Game hunt, so I dont envision needing more than $10K; but how do you guys who do long and multi species Dangerous Game hunts handle $50K+ transactions?

Edelweiss:

You make it sound as though this is your first trip abroad.

Taking into consideration that your hunt is still in the planning stages, for your bank to tell you they can only provide $100 maximum denomination for your TCs is poppycock! - they come in $500 & $1000 on request. Just tell them you want 'x' in 100s, 'y' in 500s and 'z' in 1000s - if they can't deliver I suggest you change bank.

Carry a couple of Ks in cash and change what you require on arrival - you will get a better value for cash than TC and tipping camp staff in TC is out of the question (most don't have bank accounts).

The last and probably the best solution as Cameronaussie suggested, is process your complete hunt through a registered, well-known, bona-fide, etc. booking agent where funds will be kept in ESCROW until the hunt is completed.

Where can you get TC in larger than $100? I am serious because I can not get them here in Pa. I used TC for years taking $1000 and $500 and smaller.

Last time I checked which was about 3 years ago, you could get larger denomination American Express travelers checks from AAA.

We are blessed with a handful of honest and efficient booking agents who post here with whom I trust not only my money, but with my family's safety... and I've put both (daughters and enough bucks to buy a nice house) where my mouth is.

Here are some the services they'll provide:

1. Handle the money right here in the U.S. except for emergency funds and tips
2. Be available for questions and "hold your hand" through the entire experience.
3. Help you find the "right" travel agent who'll also get you through SAPS and fix any last minute flight problems and schedule changes or lost baggage inquiries.
4. Having hunted with the P.H. they recommend, they can advise you of exactly what to expect and even tailor the hunt to your personality.

There are others, but this may be the most important,

5. Since they post here, they well realize that with every booking they make for an AR member, their reputation is at stake. So... they have a real investment in making your first (or 50th) safari a good one, 'cause they well know that a bad report sucks for business. Still, they have the confidence and experience to offer their services for "public" display and critique.... which should end the pre-safari angst and time waste that you might be experiencing by "doing it yourself". They've done a thousand trips for folks. Since it costs you nothing, why the heck do it yourself?

I've been on more safaris than I have fingers and toes. I still (almost always) use an agent, both for travel and booking. It works for me. Three times when things went tits-up (Tanzania's ex post facto price increases, a P.H.'s untimely death and a change of law AFTER I arrived on an elephant hunt) I got my money back. I wonder if I'd have been so fortunate if my money was already "in country"? (see caveat below)

Of course, some companies/P.H.'s don't have agents (or exclusively use them) and if they're properly capitalized and have a verifiable track record, most of the above concerns will be alleviated. I've booked directly with Buzz, Ivan, Calitz and others, of course.... Certainly an agent isn't always necessary for them and some others.... but, particularly on your first trip...?

Just my humble thoughts..

My first trip over to Zim was just a couple months ago. I booked with a reputable outfitter and wired them my deposit to their US account. I wired the balance of my daily rate and some extra for trophy fees, air charter etc a couple months in advance.

To pay my final bill and for gratuities, I was going to take a little cash and TC's for the replacement security in case of theft. I went to every bank in town (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, etc. - not just local banks). They all said the largest they had was $100's, some even said they didn't have TC's anymore as they were being phased out. I wound up taking cash instead. Just kept it on me at all times while travelling or kept my eye on it going through security. There is no maximum amount you can take out of the US, but you have to declare it if it is $10,000 or more. I brought less than that.

I think it largely depends on who you book with. I am fortunate that the outfit I have been hunting with has a bank account here in the United States and a banker that is a hunter and fellow AR member. I pay the daily rate and misc. fees up front and we settle up on the trophy fees when I get home. I end up traveling just with tip and pocket money. I would never consider traveling with thousands and thousands of dollars, in cash or travelers checks regardless of denomination.

I get $500 and $1000 American Express travelers checks through PNC Bank here in Pittsburgh. It takes about 10 days for them to get them for you. It can be done!

Three years ago yes. Per AE web site max denomination is $100.

EDELWEISS,

I think as Judge G has suggested at least for your first foray into safari perhaps someone like myself could assist you. We can make all your arrangements truly seamless. If you do not choose to use an agent I highly recommend you prepay everything by wire transfer or even better your operator's US acct which many of the best outfits have. That means of course you'll need to trust the RSA operator will still be in business when you arrive. If you have prepaid you'll only need to carry pocket money and tips. US currency will be fine. Pay the tips to the operator in US dollars and let him worry about the rand. TC are a pain in the ass and I do not recommend them.

Mark

I've only been over twice and took TC on both trips. On the next trip, I'll be sending money to my booking agent to let him hold in good faith. Carrying that large sum of money always makes me nervious and I can't wait to return and put the remaining portion back in the bank.

I'll carry pocket money for the tips, side spending, etc. but the hunting funds will be going to the booking agent prior to departure.

Edelweiss: You make it sound as though this is your first trip abroad.......

Ive made a few "hunting" trips over seas; but most of those have involved jumping out of airplanes with a M16. Beyond those trips the only hunting out of CONUS has been to Canada and except that the folks were much nicer and happy to have hunters around, it felt like the US.

Soooooo, yeah Im a out of my realm and a bit overwhelmed. My PH has repeatedly said not to worry, that all this is his responsibility, which of course makes me worry all the more. Im sure I'll settle down once in "in country". Im not afraid of bumps and hitches, I know they are part of the charm. I just wanna be sure the bumps arent my fault.

Visa travelers checks, not AE. I use $1,000 increments. Get them from AAA. No problem, and usually preferred over AE by recipients.

I took around $2500 in US dollars in a wallet that hung around my neck for tips. Almost impossible to steal. All the rest of the costs were paid to Atcheson's (the booking agent) in Montana. Note that Zimbabwe has given up on their currency and official tender is now US dollars. However, they won't take the older versions and won't take any with the smallest tear.

I've had to travel all over the world for the past 30+ years. The above info on AE TCs is what I found out. My credit union has the Visa TCs and carries them in the larger amounts. Works great for me. Just be careful with credit cards! There have been some serious problems in some countries.
Max

I've only gone on one safari, so I am not as seasoned as the others, but here is my experience with it.

My safari was in South Africa.

I've done two wire transfers. One for my taxidermy work and another for the shipping company. The credit union made it sound a little daunting, but the transfers were pretty easy and inexpensive. My credit union only charges $15 for them. My credit card company charges a currency exchange fee, so using a wire transfer is definitely cheaper.

My PH accepts credit cards. They are convenient, but expensive for both parties. When we were settling the final bill, he told me that his credit card company charged him a fee that was close to 5% of each transaction. I don't know if his 5% transaction fee is correct, but after he told me that I paid as much of the bill as I could with traveler's checks and the rest with my CC. When I got home, I found out that my CC company changed me a currency exchange rate fee for the final bill that was around $180.

I included the tip with the final bill and the PH distributed the trips to the staff and trackers.

I never converted any money into the local currency. Other than souvenirs and items at the airport, we never bought anything out on the local economy. We never really needed anything. Anyway, for whatever we did buy, I used my credit card.

My PH has a US bank account, so we used that for my deposits.

I only brought about $500 in cash.

I brought $3000 in traveler's checks. I will bring more the next time.

You are going to have a fantastic time on your safari. I am going back next year and I can't wait!

Don't see a problem with carrying travellors cheques plus some cash especially small notes for tips and the like.

Worked for me on several safaris, plus trips to over thirty countries around the world.

Personally I like to pay the outfitter, and make sure the final payment (assuming it is at the end of the hunt) is only made if the hunt was satisfactory. Not an agent with a different agenda ie their main concern is the outfitter, not the client. Some of the time anyway. Never had a problem in the past. Other than an agent paying one amount WELL BEFORE instructed to do so.

Had one travellors cheque stolen once, but got the money back when claimed from the TC company.

Nowadays a good option for travelling is not a credit card, but a prepaid debit card. Limits the problems if the wrong people try to charge to it, and also often a lower commission rate.