South Africa safari holidays: 5 top travel money tips

A South African safari holiday is an unforgettable experience, whether you're tracking the Big Five in Kruger National Park or exploring the private game reserves of Sabi Sands. To help you keep things running smoothly when you’re there, we’ve rounded up our top travel money tips to know before you go. 

From tipping etiquette to customs rules and carrying cash safely in South Africa, you’ll find all the essentials in this guide. Plus, you can buy South African rand before you go – meaning you can get straight out and start exploring when you arrive.

Tip 1: Consider buying your currency before you travel

There’s lots to plan when it comes to organising a safari holiday in South Africa, from arranging guides and fine-tuning your itinerary, to flights and accommodation. Exchanging your currency before you travel can mean one less thing to think about once you arrive. Plus, it can help you to avoid being charged additional fees when you withdraw cash from an ATM abroad. 

With M&S Travel Money you can Click & Collect currency including South African rand from 580+ stores nationwide, or pop into a travel money bureau and buy your currency along with your holiday shopping*.

Tip 2: Take enough cash for your safari

Carrying cash as well as credit and debit cards is a good idea on any holiday, but particularly a South African safari holiday. Although card payments are common throughout South Africa, many game reserves are located in remote areas where card machines can occasionally lose signal. 

Some smaller lodges, local craft stalls and independent businesses may also only accept cash, and it can be handy to pay for street food, souvenirs, parking fees and tips – so it’s worth making sure you have enough cash for the length of your trip. For advice on carrying South African rand safely, read our guide on how to keep your cash safe when travelling abroad.

Tip 3: Remember to declare if you bring in more than ZAR 25,000

When you're travelling to South Africa with cash, it's important to understand and follow South Africa’s customs rules. For example, travellers may bring South African rand into the country, but if you're carrying more than ZAR 25,000 in cash, you'll need to declare it to customs.  

You should also be prepared to declare large amounts of foreign currency if requested by border officials, and always check the latest customs and currency regulations before you travel, as rules can change.

 

Tip 4: Tip in South African rand

Tipping is customary in South Africa and it’s an important part of many workers' income. It’s normal to tip safari guides, trackers – who help to locate the wildlife – and staff back at your lodge, including housekeepers and waiters. How much to tip will depend on the level of service, but recommended amounts range from R100 to R300 per family, per day, for safari guides. 

While some staff may accept foreign currencies, tipping in South African rand is generally preferred because it can be spent immediately without the need to exchange it with associated currency conversion fees. Having a supply of smaller rand notes makes it easy to leave appropriate tips throughout your trip. For currency denominations, read our South African currency guide.

Tip 5: Sell your leftover currency back when you get home

Back from your safari holiday with lots of incredible memories and some leftover travel money? You can sell South African rand notes back at an M&S travel money bureau.* Just place a sell-back order online, or pop in with your currency and ID and get more pounds back in your pocket.

Buying South African rand with Marks & Spencer Travel Money

Ready for your South African safari holiday? You can buy South African rand to collect for free from 580+ participating M&S stores*. 

*T&Cs apply. Subject to availability. Sell-back only available at bureau locations.