Money

Thorn Tree forumCountry forumsAfricaUganda
Enter custom title (optional)
This topic is locked
Last reply was
846
…
Send as an e-mail
Send as an e-mail
rapidwaters
rapidwaters

Hi All

Can't make my mind up. My guide book says to take your money in travellers cheques and cash, but I've read posts on here saying carry a bit of cash and use the ATM's for any additional money. A couple of friends have also said that travellers cheques are 'out of fashion'

The only money I need is spending money (alcohol, gifts, meals and drinks for two days) and money for tipping and I'm wondering whether to change it all into USD and go with that (all money in cash is risky). If I need Ugandan shillings I can then change the USD. I think I may have more spending money than what I need as well.

With regards to tipping, I read that changing money outside of the cities can be difficult. What is best for tipping, USD or Ugandan Shillings?

I'm spending 5 days on safari with all meals, drinks, accommodation (already paid for)
1 day Kampala tour and shopping

Any advice would be very welcome.

Thank you in advance.

View last reply
Report
1
simsy
simsy

Dont take TCs.
Bring your cash card and cash in USD. Bring two cards, keep them seperate and let your bank know where you will be, for how long and as a precaution get a direct number for a responsible bank person.

All tipping should be in Shillings, as any puchase you make in Uganda.

Keep your cash well hidden and have a seperate zipped pocket for day money only (i.e. Food and purchases)

Dont stress and have a wonderful time.

Cheers.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
2
kaz
kaz

You're from UK, so take cards and cash, but just take sterling, don't bother about changing it to usd. Plus you only need money for a couple of days, so you'll probably be carrying less cash than you would at home - things are much cheaper in Uganda!

I personally would take twice as much as I thought I'd need in cash, keep my cards just for backup or a particularly expensive purchase and change my pounds to Ugandan shillings as required.

You will always be able to find somewhere to change cash, but there may not always be a working ATM.

Buy some Ugandan shillings when you arrive and use them for all your purchases and tips. Make sure you change any spare shillings back before leaving Uganda, though, as you won't be able to do anything with them in UK!

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
3
rapidwaters
rapidwaters

thank you both very much for clarifying. Not so confused now.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
4
DiaryofaMuzungu
DiaryofaMuzungu

I wd suggest dollars over sterling (despite being a Brit!)
ATMs are very unreliable if you have just arrived: even if you tell your bank you're coming to UG they frequently still don't let you take money out until you have called them from here, and that is very expensive.
My family visited me and got very stressed over the ATMs - e.g. the small amount of cash you can withdraw in one day.
Out of Kampala ATMs are very rare. In Fort Portal for ex I blv there is only one ATM so 1) expect to queue and 2) if there's a power cut or your bank refuse to give you money then you're stuck.
Never heard of anyone using TCs. There are however Western Union branches everywhere, for emergencies.
Have a great trip, Uganda is stunning!
Pls read my blog Diary of a mzungu if you're interested in a volunteer's view of Uganda.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
5
rapidwaters
rapidwaters

thank you charliebeauvoisin, I will certainly take a look at your blog.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report

This topic has been locked by a moderator.

Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner