Currency & Costs
African travel can mean USD 60 days backpacking through South Africa, or USD 1,500 days in a private Okavango concession. The mechanics of paying are similar — the spending sits anywhere on that range.
Three budget tiers
Rough daily spend for one person, excluding international flights, visas, park-entry fees and big-ticket activities (gorilla permits, Vic Falls helicopters, Kilimanjaro climbs).
USD 50–90 / day
Budget
Realistic for solo backpackers in cities and on overland routes. Game-park entries and visa fees are the same regardless of budget — factor them in separately.
- Stay
- Hostels, guesthouses, basic lodges. USD 15–35.
- Food
- Local restaurants, street food, self-catering. USD 10–20.
- Transport
- Shared minibus taxis, public buses, second-class trains.
- Activities
- Self-guided sights, public parks, free hikes, day-rate game drives.
USD 150–300 / day
Mid-range
The sweet spot for most international visitors. Comfortable rooms, good food, and authentic experiences without the safari-camp premium.
- Stay
- Boutique hotels, mid-range lodges, B&Bs. USD 80–180 double.
- Food
- Mix of local and international restaurants. USD 25–60.
- Transport
- Domestic flights, rental cars, private transfers.
- Activities
- Half-day tours, guided hikes, organised safaris (1–2 game drives daily).
USD 600–1,500+ / day
Luxury
Most safari camps in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and South Luangwa fall here. All-inclusive of meals, drinks, activities and laundry — the headline rate is the real rate.
- Stay
- Premium safari camps, design hotels, private villas.
- Food
- All-inclusive at safari camps; fine dining in cities.
- Transport
- Private guides, light-aircraft transfers, helicopter scenics.
- Activities
- Private game vehicles, walking safaris, exclusive-use bush dinners.
What things cost
A rough guide across Southern and Eastern Africa. North Africa and West Africa run roughly 20% cheaper for food and lodging.
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beer at a bar | USD 1.50 | USD 3 | USD 6 |
| Sit-down meal for one | USD 5 | USD 15 | USD 45 |
| Coffee at a café | USD 1 | USD 3 | USD 5 |
| Bottled water (1.5L) | USD 0.80 | USD 1.50 | Included |
| Park entry fee (per day) | USD 15–25 | USD 35–80 | Included in stay |
| Half-day city tour | USD 20 | USD 60 | USD 200+ |
| Game drive (per seat) | USD 45 | USD 90 | Included in stay |
| Domestic flight (1 hr) | USD 80 | USD 150 | USD 400+ (charter) |
Currencies by country
Africa has more than 40 currencies in active use. These are the most-visited destinations and what you need to know about each.
South Africa
ZARSouth African Rand
USD accepted at tourist lodges; everywhere else uses rand. ATMs are everywhere.
Cards widely acceptedNamibia
NAD / ZARNamibian Dollar (rand also accepted)
Pegged 1:1 to the rand. Rand is accepted countrywide; Namibian dollars are not accepted in South Africa.
Cards widely acceptedBotswana
BWPBotswana Pula
Lodges quote in USD and accept it. Towns use pula. ATMs in Maun, Kasane, Gaborone, Francistown.
Cards widely acceptedZambia
ZMWZambian Kwacha
Safari lodges and Vic Falls activities priced in USD. Towns use kwacha. Carry USD for park fees and tips.
Cards in cities onlyZimbabwe
USD / ZWGUSD (de facto)
Almost everything is priced in US dollars. Bring small, clean notes; change is sometimes given in local currency.
Cash strongly preferredMozambique
MZNMozambican Metical
Coastal lodges quote in USD; local economy uses metical. ZAR also widely accepted near the South African border.
Cards in cities onlyKenya
KESKenyan Shilling
Safari camps quote in USD. Towns use shillings. M-Pesa (mobile money) is everywhere and faster than cards.
Cards widely acceptedTanzania
TZSTanzanian Shilling
Park fees in USD only — bring the exact amount. Zanzibar and Arusha accept USD widely.
Cards in cities onlyRwanda
RWFRwandan Franc
Gorilla permits paid in USD. Kigali uses franc and accepts cards widely.
Cards widely acceptedEgypt
EGPEgyptian Pound
Tourist sites accept USD and EUR. Bring crisp notes. ATMs in cities, scarce in the Western Desert.
Cards widely acceptedMorocco
MADMoroccan Dirham
Closed currency — can’t buy or sell outside Morocco. Withdraw at the airport ATM on arrival.
Cards widely acceptedHard currency tip
Why USD still matters
Across much of Africa, US dollars buy things that local currency can’t — gorilla permits, safari camp tips, park fees, visas on arrival, and emergency taxis. Bring USD 300 to 500 in clean, post-2009 notes, mixed denominations. Damaged or pre-2009 notes are routinely refused.
What to carry
- USD 1s for tips and porters
- USD 5s for taxi fares
- USD 10s and 20s for daily spend
- USD 50s and 100s for visas
- All clean, no tears, no marks
Smart money habits
Bring USD in clean, post-2009 notes
Crucial. Older or even slightly damaged bills are rejected for visas, park fees and lodge tips. Mix denominations — USD 1, 5, 10, 20 are most useful.
Use ATMs at banks, not on the street
Standard Bank, Absa, Equity Bank, Stanbic — all reliable. Avoid free-standing ATMs at corner shops. Most charge USD 4–8 per withdrawal; daily limits are usually USD 200–400 equivalent.
Tell your card not to convert at the till
When the machine asks ‘convert to your home currency?’ always say NO. Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) hides a 5–10% markup.
Mobile money is your friend in East Africa
M-Pesa in Kenya and Tanzania, MTN MoMo across much of the continent. Faster than cards and accepted at street stalls. Your hotel can show you how to register.
Keep a USD 200 emergency stash
Stored separately from your wallet. Pays for an unexpected visa fee, a new SIM or a taxi to a hospital.