Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Aug 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: belgium
Posts: 51
How to use a travellercheque?

Hello, how does it work, a travellercheque?
Is it personel? Are there other methods (besides cash) to take money thoughout the African continent?
Thanks a lot!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Aug 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 88
quite simple.
You enter a forex bureau/ bank that accepts traveller cheques.
you will have to show some ID and -very important- the receipt of buying the traveller cheques. never keep that receipt with the cheques.

Then they'll give you a (sometimes lousy) forex rate ,and you'll get the money.

other means of getting cash:
- credit cards (not always possible)
- wire money through western union/...

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Aug 2005
Robbert's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 523
Alyhough travlers cheques are said to be safe I find them cumbersome.

I'd take cash and a visa card.

Rob
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24 Aug 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 88
hey, we're all belgian here !

Fortunately, I've never needed to test the real safety of the Traveller's cheques.

but I agree with robbert.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Aug 2005
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Travellers cheques are rubbish. Havent used them for years. I agree, cash and cards.
Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 31 Aug 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 55
You can normally get a cash advance on your credit card from bank branches in capital cities.

Most West African capital cities have ATM's which accept Visa cards. With Mastercard you can normally get a cash advance from the tellers where the ATM doesn't accept (at at least one bank in the capital cities). Best to take both.

From Kenya south you can draw using Maestro cards, Visa or Mastercard.

For west africa take Euros. East Africa USD is king. You'll be able to exchange all major currencies throughout. Try carry smaller denominations (i.e. up to 50 USD notes).

You can change travellers cheques in most capital cities but the rate is normally worse than for cash or ATM, and often it can be a hassle finding a place to accept them.

[This message has been edited by tifua (edited 30 August 2005).]
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 31 Aug 2005
Ian Ian is offline
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 443
I found it very difficult finding a place that would change traveller's cheques in NW Africa.

Now I just take cash and a Visa card. Although in Mali I found I could only use the Visa card in Bamako. In the south of Algeria I almost ran out of money because I couldn't find a bank that would accept the Visa card.

If the ATMs aren't working (not unusual) you can generally use your card inside the bank as described above.

For cash: generally Euros for Francophone countries, USD for Anglophone, although I've heard USD is good for DRC.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 1 Sep 2005
Robbert's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 523
Yep. DRC is definatly $ country. USD is even an official currency.

I guess that has something to do with uranium ore and then Lumumba who was flirting with socialism, and maybe, because of the reasonable good oil the americans are pumping in the Bas Congo. And of course, DRC is french because of the Belgians, not because of the french.
Reply With Quote
Reply


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

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

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

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...

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!

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 11:46.