Page 38 - Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari

How to Exchange Money

On this adventure, you won’t need to exchange money because you can pay in U.S. dollars. But
you will want a mix of small bills ($1, 5, 10, and 20s), in good condition, printed after 2006.
Large bills ($50s and $100s) will be hard to break, and bills in bad condition (dirty, worn, or
torn) or printed before 2006 might be rejected, even by banks.

During the trip, if you choose to get local currency, the easiest way is to use a local ATM (your
bank at home will convert and charge you in U.S. dollars). You can also exchange cash at some
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bills in good condition (not worn, torn, or dirty). Never exchange money on the street. All
exchange methods involve fees, which may be built into the conversion rate; ask beforehand.

TIP: Large bills ($50s and 100s) will receive a better exchange rate, but when paying with U.S. dollars,
a mix of some $1, 5, 10, and 20s would be better. It makes tipping and bargaining easier when you have
exact change.

ATMs

When using the ATM, keep in mind that it may only accept cards from local banks, and may
not allow cash advances on credit cards; you might need to try more than one ATM or more
than one card.

Many banks charge a fee of $1-$5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a
percentage of the amount you withdraw. We recommend that you check with your bank before
you depart.
Lastly, don’t forget to memorize the actual digits of your card’s PIN number (many keypads at
foreign ATMs do not include letters on their keys—they only display numbers.)

Tanzania: In larger cities, ATMs are typically available for major international networks.
However, outside of large cities, ATMs may only accept cards from local banks and generally
do not allow cash advances on credit cards. It is best to bring a cash reserve large enough to
pay for most expenses.

Kenya: International ATM networks are typically available in the larger cities like Nairobi,
however when you are on safari in the bush, you will not have access to ATMs. Local ATMs
may only accept cards from local banks and usually will not allow cash advances on credit
cards; therefore it is best to bring a cash reserve large enough to pay for most expenses.

Credit & Debit Cards

Even if you don’t plan on using a credit card during your trip, we still suggest that you bring
one or two as a backup, especially if you are planning a large purchase (artwork, jewelry).
We also suggest that you bring more than one brand of card (i.e. Visa, MasterCard, American
Express) if possible, because not every shop will take every card. For example, although the
Discover card is accepted in some countries outside the U.S., it is not widely adopted, so other
brands will work at a much larger range of stores, restaurants, etc.

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