Travel guide
Money, Currency & Tipping
Tanzanian shillings and US dollars, ATMs and cards, carrying cash on safari and how much to tip guides, crew and lodge staff.
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TSh). In practice, most of your trip is paid before you travel, and US dollars are widely accepted for tourism services, tips and souvenirs.
Cash
- Bring US dollars in a mix of notes. Use recent, clean and untorn notes: older notes (generally those printed before 2009) are often refused.
- Small notes (US$1, 5, 10 and 20) are useful for tips and small purchases.
- Euros and pounds sterling can be changed at banks and bureaux de change in the cities and at the airports.
- It is against the law to take Tanzanian shillings into or out of the country.
Cards and ATMs
- ATMs are found in Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam, Stone Town and most towns, and give shillings. There are no ATMs in the national parks.
- Visa and Mastercard are accepted at many lodges, hotels and larger shops, sometimes with a surcharge of a few percent. Smaller camps, markets and villages are cash only.
- Tell your bank before you travel so your card is not blocked.
- Traveller's cheques are no longer practical and are rarely accepted.
Tipping guide
Tipping is a thank-you for good service, never an obligation, and our staff are not allowed to ask for tips. As a guide:
| Who | Suggested tip |
|---|---|
| Safari driver-guide | US$15 to 20 per traveller, per day |
| Lodge and camp staff | US$10 to 15 per day, in the staff tip box |
| Kilimanjaro crew | About US$250 to 350 per climber for the whole climb |
Our tipping and travel information page shows suggested amounts for each Kilimanjaro crew member and the size of your crew.
How much spending money?
If your trip is full board with park fees included, you mainly need money for tips, drinks (if not included), souvenirs and optional activities. We list exactly what is and is not included in your quote, so there are no surprises.
Shopping
Most lodges have gift shops, and you will pass craft markets and roadside stalls with carvings, paintings, batiks, jewellery and Tanzanite. Keep receipts for larger purchases, and never buy products made from wildlife: they cannot be exported.
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