I've been told is in not advised to use credit cards in Africa. Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) with this? My trip is coming up in a little over a week so any information would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

I used my Amex and Visa card in South Africa and Zim in 2004, and my Amex in Tanzania in 2005 with no problems. But, I contacted the card provider and told them when I would be out of the country, and when I would return so that they could watch for unauthorized use after I got back. To my knowlege there were no attempts on either account. I would just be very careful where you use plastic, and you should be fine.

Be sure to contact the credit card company and let them know when you will be there. If you do not they may not authorize the transaction. A guy in camp this past July did not tell his credit card company and they would not authorize it, luckily his buddy paid for him.

As stated, call your provider a week or so ahead and let them know what dates you'll be in what countries.

Don't take more than one or two cards.

Generally, using a credit card gets you a fair if not optimum rate of exchange, especially in South Africa.

One exception to that rule is Zimbabwe -- their inflation is so high there are a variety of official and black market rates. The "official" rate is a ridiculous ripoff; my partner almost paid $ 60 US for a candy bar at duty-free in HRE before he realized it.

I have used both with no problem. However, there was a widely publicised problem in a west African country. Search the Hunting Report for details.

If you are Zim DO NOT use a credit card. It will go through at the official exchange rate of 250 Zim dollars to one U.S. A lone pack of cigarettes can cost 100,000 Zim dollars. Exactly what LRH270 mentioned.

Take 2 or 3 credit cards, inform your providers where you are going to be, and use the cards at reputable and long-established shops. If you don't take credit cards you will have to bring a lot of travellers cheques and biggest denomination they sell are $20 cheques. That's a whole bunch of signatures.

Namibiahunter

You can order travellers checks in denominations up to $500.00 from American Express.

1115:

You're probably right about American Express. I get mine through AAA and that's the biggest denomination I could get. The other thing to think about if you do get $500 cheques is that they might give you change back in Zim dollars (bring a wheelbarrow) or Namibian dollars (which cannot be spent or exchanged anywhere else other than Namibia).

If you're souvenier shopping or paying for dinner I would think it be more convenient to have $20 cheques or use the credit card.

Namibiahunter

And if all else fails......

I've yet to find any place on the planet that U.S. $ 20s and c-notes are refused.

Amex also has 1000 dollar travelers checks.

wrench,

I think oyu've been well-advised. Personally, I avoid using credit cards in RSA to the greatest extend possible, period. I've had several bad expereinces, all with Visa Cards.

Good advise all-around.

1. Call your provider prior.

2. Tell them when you'll be travelling there including the dates where you may be making on-line or Credit Card transactions to/from RSA.

3. Give your provider a current Cell Phone number (if you have one that will work in RSA) and request being informed of suspicious Credit Card avtivity. This also helps when the provider temporaily suspends your account due to suspicious or fraudulent account activity.

I use and recommend AMEXCO Travelers Checks.

Wrench,

Since you did not say what country you were traveling to this may be more info than you needed.

CC's in urban areas of the previous English colonies are readily accepted and I've not had any problem. In RSA CC's are readily accepted at most any business establishment. In Zim I think you'd have to consider the exchange rate before using a CC much.

AMERICAN EXPRESS travelers checks are avaiable in denominations from $20-$1000. A few US dollars for for tips are always a good idea in southern Africa.

In Tanzania CC are accepted in bigger urban areas and in tourist areas. Traveler's checks are basically useless. US dollars are accepted but if you are going to buy something directly from the Masaia in the bush you'll need Tanzanian shillings.

The previous French colonies will require Euros. CC's may be accepted in the urban areas but there have been some problem there that I know of. Traveler's checks from the US are not accepted.

This has been my expereince and I'm sure others have found some exceptions to the above.

Have a great trip!

Mark

My last trip to zim, earlier this year, I tried to use my credit card at a restruant and they could not process it; they would not take USD, so, the ph had to pay with zim dollars and I left him with the USD to exchange however he could. The ph said that he was surprised the establishment even attempted to process the card due to flucating inflation rate and telephone line problems

quote:

Originally posted by wrenchmaster:
I've been told is in not advised to use credit cards in Africa. Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) with this? My trip is coming up in a little over a week so any information would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

What everybody else said + My PH's bank found a flim flam excuse to tell me my CC was denied. I think it was to avoid paying the discount rate. I wired the PH his money when I got back.

The bank did not swipe the card, instead he called VISA. Got thru in less than 10 seconds !!! BS !!!! Used it at Jo-berg airport for lunch. She swiped it and it went right thru.

Oh, forgot to tell you--- about 2 weeks later, somebody was using my CC#, complete with Super Secret Agent Code # from back. Had to cancel account. Get new cards. Still working with VISA to get it all cleaned up. Next time, I either wire $$ up front with release date attached or wire it when I get back. It's time the people over there start taking some responsibility instead of PAY ME PAY ME PAY ME !! All the time. If they make me sign a contract, then they should have to sign one for me too.

I'm not gonna run out on them any more than they are gonna run out on me.

Just my 2 cents. I know There are a multitude of stories about the PH's getting taken. Same with hunters. Wire money with release date.

Thanks,
Randy

I have only used Visa in the Joberg airport, downtown stores and downtown stores in Windhoek. I used one card in a store in Windhoek and then a few minutes later tried to user the same card in the same store and it was refused. I guess a safe guard against unauth. use. I carry a few hundered dollars in green backs and most in traveler cheques for the outfitter and camp tips. I give the tips to the outfitter to disburse at his discretion.

Always be careful. When in doubt don't use it. There's some good advice by most as posted above.

Be very careful with your credit cards in Africa. I have had several clients come home to find their credit cards were being used like crazy while they were in the air coming home.

I use a special credit card for Africa that only has a $2,500 limit because of this. And it's a good thing, because when I got home from Mozambique last week, I found out that they had been trying to charge my card all over Africa, too. I used it at one shop and one restaurant, both in the JoBerg airport on the way home, so I know where it happened. Luckily, the card companies are pretty good at fraud detection these days and they caught it right away.

I always carry as much cash as I can in a well camoflaged money belt and my passport and some smaller bills in an ankle wallet. I keep a wad of US ones and fives in my pocket, no more than a hundred bucks worth, for tips. In Africa, particularly at Joburg airport, everyone has their hands out. As of two years ago, that is, including the cops.

I have used my Visa in Nairobi, Dar, and Joburg over the years, mainly in ATM machines picking up some of the local currency. Don't do that in Zim. Barclay's in Dar across the street from the Movenpick has a great ATM and beats the hell out of any hotel exchange rate. Always use an ATM instead of changing money at the hotel. If you're going to TZ, you'll need shillings for airport tips. I tipped the PH and camp staff in US. Wired funds are the best way to move large amounts. Any solid outfitter will have no problem with that. Heck, I even wrote a personal check in RSA for taking a few animals more than I had the cash for. No problem.

I used Moneygram to Namibia to pay for my taxidermy fee. I think it's less risky than most other electronic transfers and not that expensive IIRC.

Namibiahunter