How to Handle Money Matters While Travelling in Tanzania
Tanzanian currency is Tanzanian Shilling. First two things you have to know about money matters in Tanzania is that don’t bring travellers cheques with you, as they are not accepted anymore. And the second thing, bring US Dollar bills. Tanzania loves dollars. Dollars are widely accepted, sometimes even preferred over local currency. Euros are acceptable but not so much than dollars.
The only catch with US Dollar bills is, that banknotes have to be issued after 2006. In opposite case you will be refused at money exchange offices and will not be able to spend the money.
- US Dollar bills issued before 2006 are also not accepted in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda. Take it as general rule for travel to East Africa.
- Paying with dollars is possible in all better establishments in Tanzania, from hostels to up market safari lodges including safari agencies. As you will notice when doing research for Tanzania holidays, most of businesses quote prices in US Dollars.
- For local shopping and smaller expenses, like shopping on markets and local restaurants, bus tickets Tanzanian shillings are must to have in your wallet.
- Prices in Dollars are oftentimes quoted higher than in Tanzanian Shillings, therefore is good to exchange the dollars to TSH.
- To exchange money in Forex office, you will have to show your passport. Forex offices have fair exchange rates. Do not exchange money on the street.
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Credit Cards and ATMs
Can I get US dollars from an ATM in Tanzania? No, you cant! I dont know why this is such a frequent question from travellers, but people actually ask that. No, you cant, like you can not withdraw Tanzanian Shillings in USA from ATM.
Since we cant walk around with pockets full of hundreds of dollars, credit cards come handy. And in Tanzania, at least bigger cities like Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Moshi, etc have ATMs. To withdraw money from ATM in Tanzania, you can use debit or credit cards.
VISA Everywhere!
Best and safest option is to have VISA with you, Mastercard is accepted on some ATMs, while withdrawals with VISA are always possible. Maestro Cirrus cards are ok too, but check in your bank to make sure you will be able to use ATMs. Prior departure, usually US travelers have to inform the bank of future withdrawals in Africa. Make sure you inform the bank you intend to use ATMs in Tanzania. Otherwise bank might block your card, due to security measurements.
Add 10 – 15 % surcharge for Payments With Credit Card
Safari operators and hotels accept credit cards, but expect to pay additional surcharge with each payment, between 5 up to 15 percent. Ask always if additional charge will be billed to the service you plan to pay with credit card.
Have Extra Cash on The Side For Emergency Purposes
ATMs may sometimes be offline or empty, therefore it is good to always have hidden sum of money on the side.
Along with using ATMs, it is good idea, to always count the money in order to double check of requested withdrawal is actually given from ATM. Always print the withdrawal receipt from ATM.
According to our travel experience, when dealing with ATMs in Tanzania, Barclays’s ATMs turned out most reliable. Barclays’s ATMs in Arusha are located in Serengeti Road, next to Shoprite supermarket and also in Cinema Complex in Njiro area. Withdrawal limit on good ATMs is normally 400.000 TSH, lower at ATMs in rural areas.
Speaking of rural areas – if you plan to visit more rural Areas in Tanzania, withdraw money in the city and have some extra amount of cash on the side.
On Zanzibar ATMs Available Only in Stone Town
Those who are visiting Zanzibar beaches should know the ATMs are only in Stone Town. Nungwi and other beach destinations are currently still not a part of ATM network.There are no ATMs on Pemba and Mafia either.
There are several ATMs in Stone Town; the most reliable ATM in Stone Town is in main Barclays headquarters, short walk away from Malindi, but if you are in Shangani and around Fodhorani market you might want to take a taxi.
The other ATMs in Stone Town, tend to be out of order quite often, or lacking money. Other Atms from other banks for VISA or Mastercard credit card holders only are located in front of Rhada house Indian restaurant, on the first left alley right after you come out of the tunnel just few steps from Forodhani gardens.
Attention: Be really careful when withdrawing money from ATMs, always check the money given from ATM and the amount on receipt. It happened to me that ATM at Cinema Afrique, in Malindi Stone Town – the ATM gave out less money, and charged me full requested amount! Visit to bank that owned ATM didn’t help, nor did complain at my local bank.
Exchange Tanzanian Shillings Back to Dollars In Tanzania
Tanzanian shillings are only exchangeable back to US dollars in the country. There is no way to exchange them in other African countries. Good to know before laving the country!
Western Union Offices
There is also abundance of Western Union offices across Tanzania in case you run out of money; your friends and family can send it.
How Much Cash To Bring in Tanzania?
We are not going to tell you how much money you have to take with you to Tanzania, since everyone’s spending habits on vacation are different.
Here are some ideas to calculate your expenses.
- Visa need to be paid in cash!
- If you are going on safari, Kilimanjaro climb or any other activity that requires supporting staff, save some money for the tips. Tips on safari and Kilimanjaro climb are obligatory. Tour companies advise how much per day to pay to each team member, but count roughly from 15 to 25 dollars per person a day, depending on the role *drivers get more, porters get less,etc…
- Then there are tips in hotels and lodges, laundry services, drinks and souvenir shopping.
Keep Your Money Safe in Tanzania
No matter how fancy lodge or hotel of your stay is, keep money on a safe, locked place. In rooms use electronic safes, if available or hide money to some place in the bag and lock it with travel lock. Some hotels offer to save money in their reception safe, if you do so, make sure you get a written receipt with amount of saved money.
During the travel, have only small amount of money in your wallet and rest keep in a money belt, hidden under your clothes.
Hi Nina,
Thanks for your informative post. I am visiting stonetown in November and I would be glad for information on Western U/nion Centres in Stonetown. Also I would like to know if Western Union centres pay out in dollars or local currency?
Look forward to hearing from you…
Hello Amaka. I personally did not use WU services in Stone Town, but a google search shows the office – DIAMOND TRUST BANK ZANZIBAR BR
Plot No179 Stone Town
Po Box 3638 Zanzibar Tanzania
Zanzibar, Tanzania 022
+255-024-2236930
Western Union pays in local currency. If you plan to get money through WU, you will be paid in Tanzanian Shillings. I suggest you double check if this office still exists, sometimes things change quickly. It is much easier to withdraw money from ATM, debit cards are ok on all major atms as long as they are working. (Visa Debit, Cirrus,Visa Electron, Maestro etc..)
Hi Nina – Thanks for your post. For safaris and kilimanjaro, are tips preferred in USD or Shillings? All suggestions on tour websites are in USD, so assuming USD, but have also read porters may have trouble exchanging smaller bills.
~Carrie
Hi Carrie, I think people usually tip in USD, and since the USD is very adopted in Tanzania, nobody will complain if you tip in USD. If I went on a 4 day safari and plan to tip driver with lets say 100, 150 USD, in this case of course i would take dollar bills, as in Tanzanian currency its too much paper:) For smaller USD bills or TSH with lesser money amounts, i think its better local currency. I didnt do full Kilimanjaro trek, (just a day hike, but have seen porters from other groups doing their hard work) …. at this occasion according what i have seen how hard porters work, i would tip them generously:) Basically the guys that do the hardest work, get the least paid.
There is now an ATM on mafia island
Thats great news! Thanks for update Michael.
Hi Nina,
We are at the beginning plans for our trip the 1st of July. I have so many questions…I am in contact with a planner. However, a couple of questions….are most luxury camps/lodges, all-inclusive excluding drinks? Besides tipping and shopping, is there any need for carrying cash? I’ve raveled, (very limited compared to yourself), but sometimes for a little extra the experience is worth it. Also, I asked our planner if we could see Hippos. Is there actually ANY safe way to do that? lol. Finally, what are your thoughts on getting married during our trip? We will be on trip in 3 locations in Tanzania a total of 8 days. Something intimate with just the people at camp would be ideal. Have you seen any weeding ceremonies? If you’re in the area – you’re invited!
Hello Victoria, congrats on wedding and thanks for invitation.:) Will be in Senegal most probably that time of the year. Usually alcohol drinks are always excluded, and all depends on the lodge itself. Personally i carry some cash with me as i travel independently, but for safari, take some little stash of cash in different small bills for tips, as the rest you can withdraw on atms in Arusha without problems. Nevertheless how fancy lodge is, make sure you keep all valuables safe including money. I definitely agree, if you have budget for a little more, go for it. Dont know which parks you will go but you will see hippos for sure. In Manyara there is fenced area to watch hippis, in Serengeti there is an area where you can see them from the car, in Ngorongoro there is picnic place – spot where safari goers stop for lunch, also abundant with hippos….all from the safe distance of course. Weddings on safari are possible, many companies are specialised for it, but keep in mind you will have to have a lot of papers ready weeks before arrival, from Your complete name and address.
Your occupation and the religion/belief/faith you follow, notarised copies of passports to birth certificates, etc
… .as the company has to arrange all legal registrations. Why not! You can even hire photographer, they usually adaopt to brides wishes:) If you havent got yet a local company to arrange your plans, i highly recommend Top Guides Safaris, the owner used to do Nat geo expeditions in Tanzania and worked as a resident guide in the most luxury Asilia lodges and now works only with high end lodges, so he would be great help in advising you what intimate camp would be good fit as he knows it all. His name is Victor and you can contact him through his website http://www.topguidessafaris.com/ .
Hi Nina, I certainly enjoy your posts. My daughter is planning to do a rotation at the hospital in Dar es salaam. I was wondering how to arrange finances. I think she will have a host family and most of the time she will be at the hospital. How do you think we could handle finances generally. I mean, it would be difficult to travel with all that much TZS. I look forward to your response.
Hi Dawn, thanks for reading:) Do you mean on daily basis or travelling with larger sum to Tanzania? For daily expenditure I would have what i need, maybe 20 000 to 40 000 TSH in my pocket. I never bring too much cash as I rather go on ATM and withdraw the maximum sum available, then repeat after i spend the money. I am not sure about commissions for other banks but for me the cost is 2 eur per withdrawal, which is ok. Or let her bring few hundred dollars in cash, let her have it on a safe place and go to exchange office when she needs it. Its really personal decision. In any case its good to be aware of other people around ATms and offices,specially in Dar es Salaam. Maybe a friend or a trusted person goes with her.
Hi Nina nice job you are doing here please i would love you to advice on which perfect route is best to get to Monzambique from Tanzania since you have done alot in africa you should be able to advice thanks.
I havent been to Mozambique yet. I know there is a border with Tanzania, but anything more. Its best if you check on travel forums for latest info.
Hi. How is it with Euros? We are going on safari for 8 days. Kenia & Tansania. Is it possible to pay Visa for TZ in Euro too? Or should we really change Euros to Dollars at home (where we definitely loose money). Thank you!!
I always pay with USD but have seen people paying with Euros too.
Hi, Help – my 15 year old daughter is going to Tanzania with her school in July – I am need help with regards to money they are going with a company called Camped International. They have to take USD50 (insurance excess), £200.00 (to change into Tanzania shillings) Wildlife volunteer permit, + spending money and I am concerned that they will be carryout about quite a lot of money. What are you view on taking a Visa Debit Card or a travel Money card? The area they will be travelling to include Tanga, Moshi + surrounding areas, Manyar National Park, Arusha and the Kilimanjaro region.
Some parents are being told that money is only withdrawable in major towns and sometimes these machines are not reliable and do not work.
Any advise you could give me would be really helpful.
Hello Maria, thanks for reading my blog! It is true, I had similar experience with ATms, sometimes they did not work,or didn’t have enough money. But I assume the guide will know which atms are ok and more reliable. I always used visa debit card or maestro cirrus debit cards and worked well, I was billed a small commission for withdrawal. I would advise also to take receipt of withdrawal and to check the sum received from atm ( i also had cases when i didnt got less than i wanted withdraw and billed the requested sum) Also money is can be easily exchanged in exchange offices. As written in the post, let her have any cash safely stashed somewhere hidden if she will be carrying more and use padlock on the luggage.
Hello Maria,
My 21 year old son/college student will be volunteering in June and July at Pamoja Tunaweza Women’s Center. He won’t be with a group so we’re researching all potential topics as much as we can! I’ve read your posts about money, which are very helpful. In regards to a VISA card, would you recommend a debit or credit? My thought was that a credit card (which can be used to get cash) would be safer than debit. Thoughts? Any other tips you can think of on any topic would be much appreciated!
your tip about cash required for the visa-on-arrival is much appreciated! nowhere in my extensive reading, did that fact stand out. your advice is much appreciated for my solo (first!!) trip to Serengeti, Mafia Island and Zanzibar (Freddie, we miss you!). keep up the great work on your blog
Cash is your best friend in Tanzania:)
Maria, another quick question: if you pay in US$, what currency do business return your balance? in US$ or in TZS?
I always got back local currency, so Tanzanian Shillings.
Hi Maria
Are all British pound notes accepted at foreign exchange offices? Or do they only accept notes printed after a certain date?? I look forward to your reply thank you.
Margot
Excellent information thanks.
How widespread is payment through wave?It seems a perfect and secure way of giving people money in Tanzania. Our safari company uses it as a method of payment so I wondered how popular it was.
Never heard of it. Any professional safari operator requires bank transfer for paying safaris.
Hi thanks for the help.
I wold like to find out. Is it better to exchange my south African rand to dollars here in SA then once in tanzanian use my dollars and changed it to shillings when I’m there? It will be my 1st time traveling so I am new to it all
You have forex offices for exchange in Tanzsania, you can check online what is better for you. People usually come stocked with dollars.
HI Nina, Thanks for the information. I plan on traveling to Tanzania, Zanzibar in a few weeks. I realize it was a while since you have been, but I have not been having much luck on getting responses to my inquiries on lodge/hotel prices. Do you have an idea of the costs of room and board in Zanzibar?
Thanks
Hi Jay, in terms of prices nothing changed much . Its best if you look into booking dot com and you will get an idea of different ranges of comfort , also airbnb is cool. I hear some low budget hostels range from 10, 15 usd per day, while anything normal around 50, 60 eur per night and up where there is no limits. Prices also depend on location, so beach front lodges are of course pricier. I am sure you will find something that will fit your budget.
Hi, is it better to bring larger Bill’s like hundreds or should I change it to lower denominations? I’m going on a safari and then 10 days on zanzibar
if you plan to exchange dollars to Tanzanian shillings, i think 100 bills get slightly higher exchange rate, not sure if this applies for everywhere. For tips you can use dollars or shillings, so it depends on you ..