Many suggest that if you visit South Africa once, you will never return the same. It is the land that reminds us how dependent we are on nature.
In South Africa, you can go on safaris, have a laid back day on the coast, or experience their incredible culture. It is a place that will help you rejuvenate and have a lifetime experience.
If you are a wildlife enthusiast and South Africa is your dream destination, then what are you waiting for? Let's find out what currency is used in South Africa and start planning!
Initially, there was no monetary transaction in South Africa. Instead, people used to barter using products of high value. This region's first usage of coins was found only in 1652, indicating that their national currency developed much later. They used to mint the coins on gold, silver, or copper.
In 1961, a few months before the country declared itself a republic, it introduced its official currency. The currency's name, Rand, comes from Witwatersrand ('white water ridge' in English).
Interestingly, the second series of Rand coins either had 'Afrikaans' or 'Suid Afrika' written on them. Later in the 1970s, the image on the coin changed from Jan van Riebeeck to the "coat of arms.'
Another fascinating fact about ZAR is that the note series from 1992 to 1994 was called the 'Big Five series.' These notes had images of the Big Five animals (rhinoceros, elephant, lion, cape buffalo, and leopard) on the front, and the respective industry they represent illustrated on the back.
The currently ongoing seventh series of banknotes was introduced in 2018. These have Nelson Mandela on the front and various places related to significant events of his life on the back.
The national currency of South Africa is called South African Rand (ZAR). The South African Rand is made of 100 cents, symbolized with R.
There has been a total of seven series of banknotes of South African Rand to date. However, the denominations only changed in the first three series.
Today, the Reserve Bank of South Africa issues banknotes in 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 Rands denominations. And they mint coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents along with 1, 2 and 5 Rands.
Apart from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini officially use the ZAR. And the other unofficial users of the same currency are Angola, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
However, several countries have pegged their currency with the Rand. These currencies include the Namibian dollar, Lesotho loti, and Swazi lilangeni.
You can buy the currency from traditional currency exchange sources like banks and bureau de change. You can also exchange the currency at the South African international airport and at various money exchange offices in the country.
Although the traditional methods are more common, we suggest choosing the Currency Club as an online alternative. Of course, we don't ask you to trust us blindly, so you can check the interbank exchange rates on our website before any transaction.
The other benefits you get are:
Easy application procedures.
Quick and seamless services.
Fixed fee, so no hidden charges.
No need to visit us physically.
It is always better to begin with a proper budget while planning your trip to South Africa. According to tourism sources, every tourist spends around 1,320 ZAR on average.
Taxi: The average taxi fare in South Africa is 60 ZAR. If you choose to travel like a South African local, you will spend around 230 ZAR on taxis, local buses, and subways.
Meal for two: In South Africa, meal costs vary widely according to the diner. If you choose to dine out, it costs around 250 ZAR for two at a simple roadside eatery, while mid-range restaurants should charge you around 600 ZAR for two.
Hotel room: Staying in a budget hotel or a hostel costs one person is 699 ZAR. And a general double occupancy room will cost around 1,399 ZAR in South Africa.
Yes, you can use ATMs in South Africa. Visa and Master Cards are mostly accepted everywhere in South Africa. However, while foreign-issued cards are accepted in several ATMs, substantial extra charges may get applied while using a foreign card in an ATM in South Africa.
Summary
South Africa is an excellent destination for wildlife lovers. It has numerous nature parks, diverse landscapes, and its rich culture attracts tourists every year.
You now know what currency is used in South Africa and how much you might need to spend daily. So you can easily plan your trip. Before you leave for your trip, buy your travel money from The Currency Club at the lowest exchange rates on the GBP.
We have made every effort to ensure that the information published here is correct and accurate, however you should check and confirm the latest exchange rates with The Currency Club directly prior to making a decision. The information published is general and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or particular needs. Full disclaimer available
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