Money & Currency
Using Tanzanian Shillings and US Dollars, ATM availability, and carrying cash in parks.
Tanzania runs on two currencies: the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) for everyday transactions, and US Dollars (USD) for tourism, park fees, and larger purchases. Understanding how the two interact โ and where cash is essential โ will make your trip far smoother.
This guide covers what currency to bring, how much cash to carry, where to change money, and the practical rules that matter on safari.
The Short Answer
Bring US Dollars โ clean, untorn, and printed after 2006. USD is widely accepted for park fees, tips, and lodge extras, and it’s easier to carry than large amounts of shillings.
Withdraw or exchange shillings locally for everyday purchases โ drinks, souvenirs, market shopping, and small meals.
Carry cash in the parks. ATMs are scarce outside major towns, and card machines are unreliable or unavailable at many lodges and camps. Always have enough cash for tips and incidentals.
Budget roughly $50โ$100 per person per day for discretionary spending on top of your prepaid safari โ this covers tips, drinks, and souvenirs.
The Two Currencies
Tanzania uses the Tanzanian Shilling as its national currency, but USD is accepted almost universally in the tourism sector. Here’s how to think about each.
๐น๐ฟ Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
The local currency โ for everyday spending
- Used for local shops, markets, and meals
- Best for small purchases and souvenirs
- Withdraw or exchange on arrival
- Notes come in 1,000 / 2,000 / 5,000 / 10,000
๐บ๐ธ US Dollar (USD)
The tourism currency โ for parks, tips, and lodges
- Accepted for park fees, tips, and lodge extras
- Must be clean, untorn, post-2006 bills
- Small denominations are essential
- Often preferred over shillings for tips
โ ๏ธ The Post-2006 Rule
Tanzanian banks and businesses generally refuse US dollar bills printed before 2006, and any bill that is torn, marked, or heavily creased. Bring only clean, crisp, untorn bills โ and check them before you leave home. This rule is enforced strictly, including for tips.
What to Bring: Recommended Denominations
Not all dollar bills are equally useful. Large bills are fine for park fees, but small bills matter far more day to day โ especially for tips.
A practical rule of thumb: bring at least half your USD cash in $1, $5, and $10 bills. These are what you’ll use for tips, drinks, and small purchases โ and they’re the hardest to obtain once you’re on safari.
Where to Get Cash
ATMs and exchange options vary widely across Tanzania. Here’s what to expect.
| Method | Availability | Fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATM (major towns) | Arusha, Moshi, Dar, Zanzibar | Local + home bank fees | Visa and Mastercard accepted; limit often ~400,000 TZS |
| ATM (parks / remote) | Very limited | โ | Don’t rely on ATMs inside parks or at camps |
| Bank / Forex Bureau | Major towns and airports | Commission varies | Best rates for exchanging USD to TZS |
| Hotel / Lodge Exchange | Most lodges | Poorer rate | Convenient but less favourable |
| Credit Card | Large lodges and hotels | Often 3โ5% surcharge | Visa and Mastercard; Amex less accepted |
| Mobile Money (M-Pesa etc.) | Widely used locally | Low | Requires a local SIM and registration |
Cash vs Card on Safari
Card acceptance is improving in Tanzania, but safari travel remains heavily cash-based. Here’s a realistic breakdown.
What Cards Cover
LimitedCredit cards are accepted at larger lodges and hotels, most commonly Visa and Mastercard. They can be used to settle final bills โ but often with a 3โ5% surcharge, and sometimes only at reception, not in camp.
Amex and Diners Club are far less widely accepted. Don’t rely on card payment for anything critical.
What Cash Covers
Everything ElseCash is essential for tips, drinks, souvenirs, market shopping, and any extra activities not included in your safari. It’s also the only reliable way to pay at smaller camps, road-side stops, and local businesses.
Park fees are usually prepaid through your operator, but on-the-ground purchases almost always require cash.
โ ๏ธ Carry Enough Cash
Many travellers underestimate how much cash they’ll need on safari. Once you leave the major towns, ATMs are scarce and card machines unreliable. Bring more cash than you think you’ll need โ it’s easy to convert leftover shillings or take USD home.
Daily Budget Guidelines
Your safari is typically prepaid, but you’ll still need cash for tips, drinks, and extras. Here’s a rough guide per person per day.
Budget Safari
- $20โ$40 per person per day
- Covers tips and small extras
- Bring small USD bills
Mid-Range Safari
- $40โ$80 per person per day
- Tipping, drinks, souvenirs
- Most house drinks may be included
Luxury Safari
- $80โ$150 per person per day
- Premium drinks, spa, boutique purchases
- Tips typically higher per service level
Zanzibar Beach
- $30โ$80 per person per day
- Meals, drinks, activities, tips
- Cards more accepted in resorts
These figures are on top of your prepaid safari or hotel. Tipping alone accounts for a significant share โ see our Tipping on Safari guide for recommended amounts.
Practical Tips
Bring a Money Belt
PracticalKeep the bulk of your cash in a money belt or hidden pouch, not in your daypack. Carry only what you need for the day in your wallet or pocket. This is standard travel practice, and it applies on safari as much as anywhere.
Use a Hotel Safe
PracticalMost lodges and hotels provide a safe in the room or at reception. Use it for your passport and excess cash. On mobile camping safaris, ask your guide where to store valuables securely.
Tell Your Bank
PracticalBefore you travel, notify your bank and credit card providers that you’ll be using your cards in Tanzania. Otherwise, transactions may be flagged as suspicious and declined โ awkward when you’re trying to pay a lodge bill.
Don’t Exchange at the Airport
AvoidAirport exchange rates are typically poor. If you need shillings on arrival, change a small amount โ enough for a taxi or a coffee โ and use a bank or forex bureau in town for the rest.
Keep a Backup Card
EssentialCarry at least two cards, stored separately. If one is lost, stolen, or declined, you’ll have a backup. It’s also useful if a particular ATM or machine doesn’t accept your primary card.
Mobile Money Is Useful
OptionalIf you’re spending more time in Tanzania or plan to return, registering for mobile money (M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, Airtel Money) can be convenient for local payments. For a short safari, though, cash and cards are sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency should I bring to Tanzania?
US Dollars are the most practical for tourists, especially for park fees, tips, and lodge extras. Bring clean, untorn bills printed after 2006. Change some into Tanzanian Shillings for everyday purchases.
Can I use my credit card on safari?
At larger lodges and hotels, sometimes โ usually Visa or Mastercard, often with a 3โ5% surcharge. Don’t rely on cards at smaller camps, in parks, or for tips. Cash is essential.
Are there ATMs in the parks?
No. ATMs are found only in major towns like Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar. Once you’re on safari, you’ll have no access to cash machines โ bring everything you need with you.
How much cash should I bring?
Budget $50โ$100 per person per day for discretionary spending, on top of your prepaid safari. For a 7-day trip, that’s roughly $350โ$700 per person. Bring at least half in small denominations ($1, $5, $10) for tips.
Can I use old US dollar bills?
Generally no. Bills printed before 2006 are often refused, as are torn, marked, or heavily creased notes. Bring only clean, crisp, post-2006 bills.
Where can I exchange money?
Banks and forex bureaus in major towns and at airports offer the best rates. Hotels and lodges can exchange money but at poorer rates. Avoid airport exchange counters for anything more than a small amount.
Is it better to pay in USD or shillings?
For tourism services โ park fees, lodge bills, tips โ USD is usually preferred. For everyday purchases โ markets, local shops, small meals โ shillings are better and often required.
Do I need to tip in cash?
Yes. Tips are almost always given in cash, in USD or shillings. Cards aren’t practical for tipping, and mobile money isn’t universally available. See our Tipping on Safari guide for recommended amounts.
Continue Planning
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Comprehensive guide to tipping in Tanzania, including recommended amounts for Kilimanjaro guides, safari drivers, porters, and lodge staff.
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Read GuideReady to Plan Your Trip to Tanzania?
Our specialists can advise on budgeting, cash logistics, and everything else you need to know before you travel. Contact us to start planning today.
