Hi All,
I am starting a tour in Kigali that requires a USD local payment in cash on arrival....we will be travelling through Africa beforehand so I don't want to take it all with me. Is it possible (as in some countries) to withdraw USD at an ATM or a bank using a debit card?
Thanks!
The ATMS in Kigali and elsewhere in Rwanda deliver Francs - usually at a reasonbly good exchange rate when compared to exchange houses found downtown.
As always, when bringing US dollars to much of Africa, ensure they are new notes and sometimes the larger the note, the better the exchange rate.
Bring the local payment in cash. (I am guessing this is less than $10,000, so no need to declare it.)
I think they want notes 2005 or later now. Your bank can arrange this.
Peace,
BB
Am I the only one who finds it odd that you can't pay the local payment in Rwandan Francs? This seems strange to me, usually they will accept any currency you can give them in local payment and often prefer local money (i.e. the "local" payment). You should contact them and see why this is an issue. Rwanda had no ATMs when I was there 5 years ago, but I was able to do a cash advance on my credit/debit card for however much money I wanted (it was a 10% service charge though) and as it was in the bank, you could probably do this and receive US dollars. It would be my suggestion if you are needing a lot of money quickly, although it can take up to an hour to get ahold of your home institution. It's much more secure than taking a lot of withdrawls from an ATM as well.
Ecobank has international ATMs (only bank that does) which you can use, but don't rely on them, they are few and far between and not always working. Maximum withdrawal is RwF200,000. If you go into the bank you can ask to withdraw USD using your visa card - or at least you can with BCR.
Hi All,
Thanks for the advice - yes it is annoying the local payment has to be in USD but I have travelled a couple of times with this (international) tour agency and I think it makes it easier for them (not us!)....so I can't withdraw USD at the ATM, but someone mentioned it might be possible at a bank? I'd like not to bring it with me if possible as we are travelling independently for 4 weeks beforehand and its a fair amount of cash to be carrying (there are two of us).
Thanks.