12-24 months in Africa, help please!

coolasacucumber

I have been trying to find a good solution for a few months now, but as yet haven't found what seems to be the best idea, it would be super if anyone could offer some advice...

My wife & I are going to Africa in October for anything from 12-24 months, to travel & do voluntary work. Are plan is to spend most of the time in Kenya.

We will mainly be needing to withdraw cash for our monthly expenditure, but making card payments too, supermarkets, hotels etc.

I have a firstdirect current account & my wife is with Nationwide.

We have a variety of credit cards, none with free w/wide cash withdrawals or competitive rates.

From what I can see so far, maybe the Halifax clarity route may be best, or N & P Gold lite a/c.

We will be taking out cash on a regular basis with not wanting to keep lots on us as we'll be in some rather dangerous areas at times. But we will have reasonable access to the internet at all times.

Any advice would be most gratefully appreciated.

Thank you.

zagfles

For that length of time it's well worth opening one of the accounts which allow free overseas usage - see https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3354330

I'd go for the N&P gold classic and set up a SO to pay in about what you need per month (at least their min of £500) - this could give you some protection against fraud for instance if your card is skimmed, then they can't get all your cash! You could always add more from your main account if you need to. The lite account apparently requires 5 transactions per month, could you guarantee this?

You could get the Clarity as well for purchases and set up a DD to pay it off in full.