hi loukkcat, traveler's cheques are still about as far as im aware. You can do both, go to the bank in your local town or in africa at a bank but DO NOT USE BUREAU DE CHANGE or AIRPORT FX desks as you will get ripped off. 8% compaired to the interbank. the best places for retail currency is places like marks and sparks, or even a online company like crown currency (where you can get you dollars at a better rate as you have to pay for it now and they get the interest)