I was planning on using my debit card for getting cash to pay for incidentals, such as tips etc. However my Debit Card is secured with a 4 digit PIN number and I read in Fodor's I needed a 5 digit PIN for South African ATMs. Getting my bank to reset my PIN to 5 digits seem to be very difficult. So my question is the 5 digit PIN essential in South Africa essential for me to get cash.

Can't you carry traveller's cheques and hv them encashed in South Africa?

Most travellers going on safari or whatever carry cash to pay for tips etc etc.,

Hari

How many numbers for PIN is required for Egypt and Kenya? Or where do I find out? my bank?

We used 4 digit PIN in Egypt successfully

4 digit PIN works fine in Kenya.

Last Sept/Oct my Debit card worked just fine with a four digit pin, in fact that was all that S.A.banks would take- was what I was told!

I've used a six digit pin frequently in SA banks.

So---4 digits can be used everywhere in Southern Africa?? Any experiences otherwise?

I've never heard of there being a problem with 4 digit pins, is this common? I thought the problem was with the longer pins (5-6 numbers) as some of the machines will only take 4 numbers.

Jenn

South Africa has an excellent banking system. As soon as you insert your card, they know what language to present on the screen... really. We used 4-digit pins, and have found in many (not all) cases, some countries will simply accept the first 4-digits if yours is 5 or 6-digits. There are ATMs everywhere, except out in the bush... the airport is loaded with these machines, and in cities.

In Kenya, have never used an ATM, but others have succeeded with 4-digits. In Egypt, again never used an ATM as the major hotels all have exchange bureaus; since the rate is set by the government, no difference.

Hello,

Four digit PINs (standard in the UK) are fine in SA (and Egypt). I've never tried to use a cash machine in Botswana but I expect that a 4-digit PIN would be fine there as well.

Note that many lodges allow you to pay your tips by credit card if you prefer. I usually do this (to avoid carrying too much cash) and write a personal note to my guide or butler thanking them and letting them know how much to expect.

Cheers,
Julian