Exchange GBP to South African Rand ZAR
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Buy your South African Rands (ZAR) before your departure to South Africa.
Planning a trip to South Africa? Breathtaking landscapes and wonderful places await you. To make the most of your adventure, we always advise you to get as much information as possible about the local currency. While your credit card will be accepted in many shops and as a means of payment in many places, we suggest that you carry a certain amount of cash in the local currency, which is the African Rand (ZAR). First of all check the GBP ZAR exchange rate beforehand to get the best deal. If you do this in advance you can ensure you get the best offer and you won’t have to worry about it later on. Set a budget in South African rands to have an idea of your future expenses and how much travel money you will actually need.
Practical tips for planning your budget
Tipping is customary in South Africa. It is therefore necessary to count between 10 and 15% of the bill in general.
Plan on a daily budget of 921 South African rands per person, which will allow you to stay in a 3* hotel, pay for 2 meals and your daily transport ticket.
A meal in a mid-range restaurant will cost you about 150 ZAR. You can try local specialities such as bunny chow or even bobotie.
ZAR 450
Average cost of a one night stay in South Africa
ZAR 220
Average food budget per person per day
Good to know
Some price indications in SA
28 ZAR
Public transport ticket
20 ZAR
The price of a cup of coffee
ZAR 330/ADULT
A cable car ride up Table Mountain
ZAR 40
A etkoek
12 ZAR/KM
A taxi ride
210 ZAR
A day or two on a sightseeing bus to Johannesburg
Some suggestions
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Soweto, to discover the historic area where Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu lived. For a rewarding adventure, we recommend a guide. If you plan to use guides during your stay, consider converting the eur zar before you leave to get a better exchange rate and enough cash.
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The Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Here you can see elephants, rhinos, lions and many other animals.
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Considered the third largest canyon in the world, the Blyde River Canyon offers stunning cliffs, forests and waterfalls.
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If you have a dedicated budget for a safari, the Madikwe Game Reserve is a must.
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A trek into the Drakensberg Mountains for the more adventurous is a must in South Africa.
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For the hydrophilic and surfers alike, take a diversion to Summerstrand, one of the many beaches in Algoa Bay, reputed to be a must-see spot.
When do you need cash in South Africa?
It is possible to pay by card in major cities, but it is still essential to have South African rand (ZAR) in cash when travelling in South Africa.
The most common situation where you will need to pay in cash is to use one of the many public parking areas in the country. These are usually monitored by a parking attendant who should be paid. Typically, it is recommended to give between 2 and 5 ZAR for a short stay, and between 5 and 10 ZAR for a longer duration, which must be paid in cash.
Some small businesses, such as local restaurants, street food stalls, or craft shops, will also only accept cash payments.
In certain rural areas, it can sometimes be difficult to pay by card due to poor network coverage. On country roads, at small petrol stations, or in some small villages, you will therefore need to pay in cash.
Finally, tipping is an integral part of the culture in South Africa, and cash is often the preferred method of payment. Make sure to have enough ZAR in cash to cover these expenses.
In general, we recommend exchanging your GBP to ZAR before your trip to avoid having to withdraw cash locally. This way, you will reduce fees and maximise your budget to make the most of your time in South Africa.
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Some facts about the South African Rand
Denominations of the South African Rand
Notes: 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Rands
Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10 and 50¢ 1, 2, 5 Rands
Historically, this currency was created on 14 February 1961 following Africa's withdrawal from the commonwealth. The ZAR replaced the South African pound. Today, the Rand consists of 3 coins and 5 notes for commercial transactions. The coins available are 1 Rand or Springbok, 2 Rand or Kudu and 5 Rand or Wildebeest.
These are actually names of animals as they are very important in South African culture. The rand comes from the word 'Witwatersrand', meaning 'the ridge of white water'. Johannesburg, the location of the majority of South Africa's gold deposits, is situated on this ridge.
Why buy South African Rands with Change Group?
ChangeGroup has been on the market since 1992 and has set up many exchange bureaus in the UK with more than 60 foreign currencies from which you can find the South African rand. We suggest you buy your travel money before you leave to enjoy better rates. Did we mention that when ordering your rands on our website you benefit from a preferential exchange rate and 0% commission? This might be an interesting offer for you! ChangeGroup has also set up a home delivery service to ease travellers' trip planning. The service is fully secured and costs only £ 11.95. Change Group also offers you the possibility to purchase your remaining travel money after your trip at its same purchase price. Get the Buy-Back guarantee for only £ 5.99 to be able to trade in your remaining rands.
Traveling soon?
Here's how to easily exchange your money:
1. Choose your currency
Determine the amount you need & enjoy our best price deals online
2. Select branch pick-up
Choose branch pick-up & create an account and finalise your order.
3. Receive travel money
Pick-up your currency from one of our branches the next day & enjoy your trip!
FAQ about exchanging GBP to ZAR
It is almost impossible to predict fluctuations in the GBP/ZAR exchange rate. At ChangeGroup, we update our rates daily to best reflect market conditions and offer you the most competitive prices. By planning your GBP-to-ZAR exchange in advance, you can compare market trends, choose the most favourable moment and obtain your ZAR at the best rate.
We offer free collection of your ZAR from the exchange bureau of your choice. For added convenience, we can also deliver your order directly to your home within 24 hours for just £6.95.
By choosing to reserve your ZAR online, you benefit from our best exchange rates. We also remove all fees or commissions on your transaction! You therefore know exactly how many ZAR you will receive after the exchange.
Thanks to our home delivery currency service, we can exchange your GBP to ZAR wherever you are in the United Kingdom.
Do you have a question about our services?
Find the answers to your questions in our FAQs