Planning your finances for your trip to Eswatini and beyond

All Out Afica — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 11:46:29 +0000

Not sure what to do about your finances when you travel to Eswatini and beyond? Here are some tips from our Team that will help with your planning:

Cash and foreign currency

Emalangeni is the local currency but South African Rand (ZAR) is widely accepted. It’s a closed currency so you cannot purchase it before you arrive
We strongly recommend arriving with ZAR especially for your first few days
Emalangeni cannot be used outside of Eswatini so make sure you spend / change your money before departing
Changing foreign currency is possible for GBP, USD and Euros but it can be difficult for other currencies. The process is time consuming and they don’t change some currencies (such as New Zealand Dollar).
Change your money before you travel or ensure that you have an ATM card to withdraw cash as needed during your trip.
Changing money at airports is normally at a lower rate than currency exchange centres and travel shops (Heathrow has shocking rates!). Buy your currency in advance to get the best rates.
If you are obtaining a visa for onward travel to Mozambique whilst in country you will need to pay in cash. ZAR is the best way to pay but Euros and USD are accepted.
If you are planning a trip to Mozambique is also has a closed currency so you cannot purchase Meticals before you arrive. ZAR is accepted in many places. However, the banking system is Mozambique is unreliable so card payments are not always possible. To assist with this we can assist with changing ZAR into Meticals on our trips to Tofo, if you need it.

Credit and debit cards

There are ATMs and banks for you to withdraw cash, especially in shopping centres.

Visa debit cards can be used in most ATMs.
Many supermarkets, shops, hotels and restaurants accept card payments, so as long as your overseas bank has been advised that you are travelling you should be fine.
Credit cards can be used but American Express is not accepted.

Online transactions

An OTP (One Time Pin) is increasingly necessary to validate online purchases, and with many visitors wanting to secure train, coach, plane tickets as well as bookings for accommodation it is important to be able to access your account linked to a SIM card. SIM cards rarely roam from overseas making it impossible to receive an SMS (Wi-Fi and data can be purchased for online banking, but these don’t help with SMS). Contact your bank(s) in advance of travel to set up an email notification for your OTP rather than SMS to avoid this issue.

Keep your money safe

Whatever you plan to do with regards to finance it is important to keep your cards and cash safe when you travel. A few tips are:

Bring what you need in cash
When you are in accommodation safely store the cards and cash that you don’t need. Many have safety deposit boxes that you can use.
Don’t take out too much money to local markets, on nights out etc.
Keep your purse, wallet or bag close to you.
Bring a credit card for emergency situations

Start planning now to ease your travels.

Adventures That Change Lives

GOING ON A SAFARI!

All Out Afica — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 09:46:44 +0000

I still vividly remember the 7^th September 2018 like it was yesterday. This is the day that will forever stay in my heart as it was the day I went on a safari for the first time in my life.

I received the news a week before my trip and my heart skipped a beat as I was not sure on what to expect. I had mixed feelings about this as it was going to be my first time ever going on a safari. A lot of things were going on in my mind, I was thinking what if the car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and no one comes to our rescue, what if we get eaten by lions. I had so many what if’s in my head.

My transport picked me up at 9 O’clock in the morning driven by Ayandza from the tours office, deep in thought as we drove off to the famous Kruger National Park. I was as happy as a child eating ice-cream. The funniest part is that though skeptical about the whole trip, I could not wait to reach my destination.

I spent 2 nights sleeping in a tent at the beautiful African bush and my days on safari tours, trying to find the big 5 and explore the natural beauty and wonders of my land Africa.

There’s only 2 words to describe my experience…’’Absolutely Amazing! I got addicted seeing wild animals every day, you can never get enough seeing these beautiful creatures in their habitat, it was one of the most fascinating experience I have ever had. A big thanks to Jackie Wall, Tours Director, for organising this beautiful trip for me and to my bosses at the AOA office for allowing me the opportunity.

I must say at some point I was terrified by the elephants as they charged towards our OVS. Thanks to Ruben and Adriaan, who were our guides the entire trip, they were calm as the sea and took care of the situation by stopping the vehicle and asking everyone to be quiet and stay calm until these huge creatures cross the road to the other side. I was quick to loosen up as I was with a group of All Out Africa volunteers who made it a point that I was ok by comforting me as they could see that I was scared and trembling.

Be warned!! This is a once in a life time trip that everyone must experience. Trust me, you won’t think twice about coming back because Africa is a truly magical place and next time I will be taking my children with so they too get a chance to experience such beauty in their very own continent.

Click here Kruger Day Safari if you want to know more about this experience.