Currency
South African Rand (ZAR). £1 is equivalent to about 11 ZAR (July 2010)

You will be able to use your ATM card in large South African cities and at airports (be sure to only do so during the daytime and in areas with many people out and about). This is the most affordable way to exchange currency. If you prefer to use your credit card, MasterCard and Visa are accepted at many locations (petrol tanking stations only accept payment in cash). Traveller Checks can be exchanged at most banks, however you will probably have to stand in long queues and fill out a lot of paperwork to do so. Exchanging Rand back to euros is not a problem and you'll usually be able to do so at fair exchange rates. You're only allowed to bring a limited amount of Rand back home with you.

Swaziland

Visa
Free visas are available at the border. It will take approximately 15 minutes for the visa to be processed. If you have a rental car in your possession, this will be documented in your passport. Therefore you must leave the country with your rental car. Keep in mind that some border crossing authorities are not open 24 hours a day.

Currency
Swazi Lilangeni (SLZ). Don't bother purchasing Lilangeni. The South African Rand is widely accepted here. If you receive your change in Lilangeni, be sure to use it or exchange it before leaving the country.

Lesotho

Visa
Free visas are available at the border. It will take approximately 15 minutes for the visa to be processed. Your rental car will also be documented in your passport, therefore you must leave the country with your rental car. Keep in mind that some border crossing authorities are not open 24 hours a day.

Currency
Lesotho Ma loti. Don't bother purchasing Loti. The South African Rand is widely accepted here. If you receive change in Loti, be sure to use it or exchange it before leaving the country.

Mozambique

Visa
You must be in possession of a visa in order to enter Mozambique. At the moment, it is very difficult to purchase a visa at border crossings and the Maputo airport due to changes in the Mozambique visa policy. Therefore we advise you to attain your visa before reaching Mozambique. For more information on attaining a visa or for information on your visa request contact the Embassy of Mozambique Consulate Section, 21 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 6EL. Opening hours 9.30am - 1.00pm, 2.00pm - 4.00pm on Monday - Friday. Your passport must be valid for another 6 months after your departure from Mozambique.

Currency
Mozambique Metical (MZM). You will not be able to use your ATM card here, however you can exchange cash euro's and dollars here. Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted (petrol tanking station accepts cash only). Traveller Checks can be exchanged at most banks, however you will probably have to stand in long queues to do so.

Namibia

Visa
Visas are not necessary if you plan on staying in the country less than 90 days. Your passport must be valid for another 6 months after you return home. You will also be required to have a confirmed return or stop-over flight ticket in your possession.

Currency
Namibian Dollar (NAD). A Namibian Dollar is worth the same as a South African Rand. Use of your ATM card and exchange of euros or dollars is only possible in the largest cities. Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted (petrol tanking stations only accept cash). Traveller Checks are accepted at most banks and large hotels, however it can take quite some time to exchange them. Since you will be travelling outside of the major cities, be sure to have enough cash Rand with you and hide some cash in a few different locations in case of theft.

Botswana

Visa
Free visas with a one-month validity are available at the border. Extension is possible up to 3 months.

Currency
Botswana Pula (BWP). There are very few opportunities to use your ATM card. Money can be exchanged almost everywhere, however South African Rand and Cash Dollars are the currencies of choice. Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted. Traveller Checks are accepted at most banks and large hotels, however it can take quite some time to exchange them. Park entrance fees must be paid in Pula. Hotels and lodges accept euros, however will add a surcharge to your bill for paying in euros.

Zimbabwe

Visa
Visas are available at the border for approximately £28. Visas are valid for three months.

Currency
Zimbabwe Dollar or ZIM dollar. The exchange rate drops each month and the official exchange rate is far lower than the black market rates. ATM's are sparse and due to the unfavourable exchange rates, we advise against using your ATM card here. At this moment most places only accept payment in American dollars and no credit cards. Please be sure to have enough dollars with you when you approach the border as well (your visa must also be paid in USD). It's best to have small bills on hand (from $1.00 to $50.00). You'll receive change in Zimbabwe Dollars. Travellers are strongly urged not to exchange currency while in the country. Keep in mind that if you do exchange currency, you'll be paying one euro for anything that would cost one dollar! Traveller Cheques and the South African Rand are reasonably well accepted. At times you may have to pay surcharge for using them and the official exchange rate will be used. You are only allowed to take a very limited amount of Zim Dollar with you out of the country.