Always bring new USD notes, here is country by country update:

Kenya - accept post 2001 USD notes (will change 1996 but at a lower rate),
Uganda - accepts post 2001 USD notes ONLY, notes must be in perfect condition
DRC (gorilla permits) - accept post 2003 USD notes ONLY again notes must be in perfect condition
Tanzania - accept 2001 USD notes; will take 1996 and over but not keen.
Malawi - 2001 USD notes, notes must be in perfect condition Zambia - 2001 USD notes, notes must be in perfect condition

(no ink marks, tears - even tiny; no dog ears)?

Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana - not fussy, can use older USD notes. South Africa and Namibia are the least fussy over notes.

A bit of history - Uganda ceased accepting older notes due to an Ugandan caught in the UK a few years ago with thousands of counterfeit USD notes. The Ugandas were not sure how many notes had already made it back to Uganda and were in circulation. DRC became the haven for getting rid of these counterfeit notes (illegal gold and diamond buying in DRC by Ugandans) hence they turned around and said nothing pre-2003.

Basically, you should bring out new USD notes (the coloured ones) in perfect condition and you should not experience any problems. It is advisable not to go to the forex or bank at home and say you want USD notes for Africa. You should ask for NEW NOTES in perfect condition and CHECK every note.

GBP and Euros they are not as fussy - however these notes should also be in excellent condition .

Thanks to AfricaExpeditionsSupport for this very useful piece of information.

We thought we would pass this useful information from Tania.

“As far as ATMs go once you get to Uganda and start heading south you will find ATM?s in all of the bigger towns and cities. Make sure your card is a typical international bank card with the Maestro/Cirrus symbols and/or Mastercard/Visa. If you have a credit card but can?t locate a ATM, a lot of banks will give you a cash advance over the counter. ATM?s are a little bit scarcer in West Africa but still available and your crew will give you plenty of info in advance about when and where you can draw cash. I recommend cover all your bases and take a selection of all types of money - Debit card, credit card, travellers chqs and some cash”

Does anyone else has any information on money access in Africa?

It seems these are now avialable in the UK (They have been in the US for some time) Cashplus, Cash2Go and Amex Travellers Cheque Card along with Speedcard, I-Money and I-Travel provide cards.
This may prove to be one of the safest ways of carrying money - but we are still not sure about how economical they are to use. Has anyone used them and how have you found them. More Detail