Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
travelling currency travelling currency
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 8 Aug 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Andrews
Posts: 662
travelling currency
I'm about to set of on a trip from Scotland to Cape Town and return. Africa south of Egypt and Kenya is for me the great unknown so can anyone tell me what the non local travelling currency of choice is at the moment, US$, £'s or Euro's?

Ride safe, Mike.
__________________
Mike
---------
Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 9 Aug 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Louisville Colorado, USA
Posts: 90

Mike,

As of last year (down the West coast) we found:
North, West and Central Africa preferred the Euro. In some places (like Cameroon) dollars and pounds were not accepted, only euros.

Angola was dollars only. South of Angola any of them would be accepted.

As far as the East coast goes, I'm not sure.

Hope that helps.

cheers

Graham
www.africaoverland.org
__________________
Graham 'Cracker'
Director: Overland Training
Editor: Overland Journal
Instigator: Africa Overland
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 9 Aug 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 142
Quote:
As far as the East coast goes, I'm not sure.
Euros have been fine in every east coast african country I've been to, and as Gjackson stated, the same went for north and west africa. Taking along a bit of both was what we did, and we then changed money depending on which gave us the best rate.

Didn't know that only dollars, and not Euro, are accepted in Angola. Interesting.

Erik

www.dunia.no


------------------
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Aug 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Andrews
Posts: 662
Thanks guys, all I have to do now is find a bank in Europe with lax security. Ride safe, Mike.
__________________
Mike
---------
Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 Aug 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Posts: 542
I would recommend dollars for the East Coast. Although euros are changeable in most bigger cities, most street changers outside the capital cities will generally prefer dollars.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17 Aug 2005
jim jim is offline
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Cape Town South Africa
Posts: 222
Definately dollars for east Coast! Most places will take Euros, but at a poor rate, dollars are always acceptable. Another thing worth remembering is that in some countries like Uganda and Ethiopia ( if i remember correctly) large denomination notes (50 and 100) get a better rate than small ones even in a bank! This said though Im told that some countries in the West dont like 100 notes because of all the fakes in circulation. In Uganda you can draw local currency from a bank machine with your Visa card and change it for dollars at an excellent rate. Useful for topping up your cash. In most countries this is not possible.
Enjoy, its so good out there!
PS save yourself some money and stress by getting an idea of relative currency values on the internet so you know how many "shillings to get for your kwacha" on the black market... otherwise you WILL get ripped off. TRY www.xe.com
Jim
__________________
"If we don't find something good at least we will find something new." Voltaire
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:20.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top