Moshi, Tanzania
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Money on safari is simpler than most people fear. Your tour price covers the big costs. What is left is a small pile of cash for tips, drinks and souvenirs. This guide shows what to bring, where to get it and how much to hand over.
The Three Kinds of Money You Need
💵 US dollars
Tips, park extras, curio shops, some lodge bills.
💳 Cards
Hotels, restaurants and shops in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
🪙 Shillings
Water, snacks, local taxis, markets, small tips in town.
Currency: Shillings and Dollars
The official currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). Hotels, lodges and tour operators quote in US dollars, and many accept them. Local shops, markets and taxis prefer shillings and give poor change rates on dollars.
Credit Cards
- Visa and Mastercard work best. American Express is rarely accepted.
- Use cards in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar hotels and restaurants. Expect a surcharge of about 3–5% at some places.
- Remote lodges may have weak connections, so card machines fail. Carry cash as a backup.
- Tell your bank you are traveling, and check your foreign transaction fees.
- Park fees: TANAPA gates are reported to take digital payments only. Your operator normally pays these for you, so you will not meet this at the gate.
ATMs
| Place | ATM access | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Arusha, Moshi | Good | Use bank ATMs with a guard |
| Dar es Salaam | Good | Withdraw in daytime |
| Zanzibar (Stone Town, Nungwi) | Fair | Fill up before moving to quiet beaches |
| Karatu, Mto wa Mbu | Limited | Do not rely on them |
| Inside parks and camps | None | Bring all cash from Arusha |
Withdraw in Arusha before you start your safari. ATMs often cap each withdrawal, so take out what you need over a couple of visits.
Tipping in Tanzania
Tipping is not part of Tanzanian pay in the way it is in the US, but guides and crews rely on it. These are guides only. Tip what you feel the service was worth.
| Who | Guide amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Safari driver-guide | $15–25 per day (per vehicle group) | Handed over on the last day |
| Safari cook (camping) | $8–12 per day | Camping safaris only |
| Lodge staff pool | $5–10 per guest, per day | Use the tip box at reception |
| Kilimanjaro/Meru crew | Pooled, shared by role | Ask us for the current crew scale |
| Airport transfer driver | $3–5 | Optional |
| Restaurant in town | 5–10% | If no service charge added |
Hand tips in an envelope, in dollars, at the end of the trip. Our crew pools tips, so everyone behind the scenes shares fairly. Read more about how we pay our team in our Fair Wages story.
How Much Cash Should I Bring?
| Trip | Cash for tips | Cash for extras |
|---|---|---|
| 4-day safari | $80–120 | $50–100 |
| 7-day safari + Zanzibar | $150–250 | $150–250 |
| Kilimanjaro 7 days | Per crew scale | $50–100 |
Money Safety
- Keep cash in two places, not one.
- Use the hotel safe for spare cards and bills.
- Avoid street money changers. Use banks or licensed forex bureaus.
- Keep receipts if you want to exchange leftover shillings back, since many places will not take them.
Activities Included
Best Time to Visit
| Month | Season | Highlights | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun-Oct | 2 weeks before | Order USD, notify bank | Best |
| Dec-Feb | Arrival day | Change a little to TZS, withdraw cash in Arusha | Best |
| Mar-May | Last day of safari | Hand out tips in envelopes | Best |
Pricing & Packages
- Cash for tips and small extras
- Few card facilities in camps
- Tip pool shared by crew
- Some card use at lodges
- Staff tip boxes at camps
- Guide tip in dollars
- Cards accepted more widely
- Higher staff-tip norms
- Fully inclusive stays reduce on-trip spending
Pros
- Tour prices include the big costs
- Dollars are widely accepted in the tourist sector
Cons
- Old US bills get refused
- No ATMs in parks, so you must plan ahead
Who Is This For?
Anyone planning how much cash to bring and how to tip on a Tanzanian safari or Zanzibar trip.
When to Go
Money rules do not change by season, but peak months bring more tourists to ATMs, so withdraw early.
How Much?
Plan about $80–250 in cash for tips and extras on a 4–7 day trip, plus any shopping.
How to Book Your Safari
Frequently Asked Questions
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