Currency fluctuations are common all over the globe, especially in recent years since many of the world’s economic powerhouses fell into recession including the U.S.A. and the U.K. as well as the current on-going Eurozone crisis. There are lots of people out there that constantly keep their eyes on the markets hoping to be able to predict another currency fluctuation. This is when many people take their opportunity to travel, taking full advantage of the drop in value of currencies.
Earlier this year Kenya experienced a sudden drop in the value of their currency most notably against the GB Pound, US Dollar and the Euro. Many people saw this as a great opportunity to travel out to the country on a Kenya safari. The same thing happened to the South African Rand in 2009 where the currency took a huge wallop and dropped to half its value. I was actually in South Africa at the time so i withdrew as much cash as possible and not only toured South Africa but also travelled on a Namibia safari as the Namibian Dollar is pegged 1:1 with the SA Rand therefore it had significantly dropped as well.
If you are a European, American or British citizen then travelling anywhere in the world is generally much cheaper than it is within your own country. Heading out to Africa with any three of these currencies is going to put you in good stead and whilst not all of Africa is cheap, most of it will be cheaper than life at home for you. Currency fluctuations are frequent but unpredictable so it’s important you keep your eye on the markets and predict when you think a currency may begin to fall giving yourself adequate time to book up a Zambia safari or a holiday of your choice to the appropriate destination.
There are however some exceptions to this rule. It was only 2 years ago that Zimbabwe’s rising inflation caused them to scrap the currency and use the US Dollar instead. At the time Zimbabwe was not a country that anyone would have advised you to travel to due it’s political instability, so it’s of paramount importance that you take all of these aspects into consideration before travelling.