Page 37 - Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari

MONEY MATTERS

Top Three Tips

• Bring enough cash to cover your needs for 80% of the trip and only expect to be able to
use plastic (credit, debit, or ATM card) 20% of the time. When budgeting, keep in mind
that your biggest expenses will be tips, meals, and souvenirs. As a guideline, an average
meal in this region costs between $15 and $20 per person including a tip.

• A mix of small bills ($1s-$20s), in good condition, and printed after 2006. You’ll be able
to pay in U.S. dollars in most places on this trip.

• Traveler’s checks are not recommended. ?SPd NLY MP OTʯN`W_ _Z PcNSLYRP LYO _SP
commission fee for cashing them is quite high. It’s more practical to view them as a last
resort in the event of a special situation.

Local Currency
For current exchange rates, please refer to an online converter tool like www.xe.com/
currencyconverter dZ`] MLYV Z] _SP ʭYLYNTLW ^PN_TZY ZQ dZ`] YPb^[L[P]

Tanzania

The basic unit of currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSh), which is divided into
100 senti.

• Banknotes: 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 shillings
• Coins: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 senti and 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 shillings

In Tanzania, U.S. dollars are accepted for payment in most situations. Bills in very good
NZYOT_TZY L]P ^_]ZYRWd []PQP]]PO ! Z] YPbP] :`] ]PRTZYLW ZʯNP ^`RRP^_^ _SL_ L XTc
of denominations ($1, 5, 10, and 20s) is best/most convenient for paying with dollars. For
exchanging, you’ll get a better rate on large bills ($50s and $100s).

Kenya

?SP ZʯNTLW N`]]PYNd ZQ 6PYdL T^ _SP 6PYdLY ^STWWTYR 6>S bSTNS T^ OTaTOPO TY_Z NPY_^
One shilling is written Shs.1/-. Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

• Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 shillings (written Shs.1000/-)

• Coins: 50 cents and 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 shillings

In Kenya, U.S. dollars are accepted for payment in most situations. Newer bills (2006 or
newer) in very good condition are strongly preferred. However, when paying in dollars, the
exchange rate is not in your favor. You’ll get a better rate by exchanging dollars for shillings
and then paying in shillings.

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