South Africa
Money and Banking

The currency used throughout South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR). The Rand is also accepted as currency in Mozambique, where American dollars are also accepted.

Automatic telling machines (ATMs) are found commonly spread through most parts of South Africa – like most other first world countries all cities, towns and larger villages should have ATMs available for use. However, some of the more rural areas will not have ATMs available so it is worth checking before-hand if you plan to travel to rural areas. Most regions of Mozambique do not have ATMs, and the only rest camp within the Kruger National Park that has an ATM is Skukuza.

Please note that many facilities can process credit cards, so even if ATMs are not available quite often it is possible to pay using a debit or credit card. The most commonly accepted cards within South Africa are MasterCard and Visa, whilst in many places Discover Card and Maestro will not be accepted.

Note that at petrol stations you will not be permitted to pay for petrol by debit or credit card, you will need either cash or a petrol card.

In larger towns and cities Bureaux de Changes are available, along with many banks – both of these facilities can be used to cash traveller’s cheques. Week day banking hours are usually from 9am to 15:30pm, and from 9am to 11am on Saturdays. Banks are not open on Sundays and bank holidays.