Using US dollars on safari is one of the easiest parts of a trip to Kenya and Tanzania for American travelers. The dollar is widely accepted for tips, lodge extras, souvenirs and many activities, so you rarely need to worry about exchanging large amounts of money. But there are a few important rules, especially about the age and condition of your bills, and knowing them in advance can save you frustration.
This guide explains how to use US dollars on safari, when local currency is better, how cards, ATMs and mobile money work, and how tipping works for guides, lodge staff and porters in Kenya and Tanzania. It is written for Americans, with practical tips you can use from the moment you land.
In This Guide
- Local Currencies
- The Rules for US Bills
- Where Dollars Are Accepted
- Cards and ATMs
- Mobile Money
- Tipping on Safari
- Keeping Money Safe
- Frequently Asked Questions
Local Currencies in Kenya and Tanzania
Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling and Tanzania uses the Tanzanian shilling. Although US dollars on safari are widely accepted, shillings are used for everyday purchases in towns, markets, small shops and local restaurants. Prices in supermarkets, gas stations and local transport are always in shillings.
On a typical lodge-based safari where your accommodation, meals, park fees and activities are prepaid, you need relatively little cash. Most of your spending will be on tips, drinks, laundry, souvenirs and optional activities, all of which can usually be paid in dollars or by card at lodges. A small amount of local currency is useful for roadside stops and markets.
The Rules for US Bills
This is the most important thing to know about US dollars on safari: older bills are often refused, so preparing your US dollars on safari before you leave home is essential. Many banks, lodges and exchange bureaus in East Africa will not accept dollar bills printed before 2009, and some are even stricter, because older series are more likely to be counterfeit. Check the series year printed on the front of each bill before you leave home.
- Use newer bills: bring bills from recent series, and the newer the better.
- Keep them crisp: torn, stained, marked or heavily folded bills may be rejected.
- Avoid writing or stamps: bills with ink marks or bank stamps are often refused.
- Bring a mix of denominations: large bills usually get better exchange rates, while small bills are essential for tips.
- Order from your bank: ask your US bank for new, clean bills a week or two before your trip.
Small bills such as ones, fives and tens are especially useful for tips and small purchases, while twenties, fifties and hundreds are better for exchanging into shillings. Because change is not always available in dollars, carrying the right mix saves awkward moments.
Where US Dollars on Safari Are Accepted
- Tips: guides, drivers and lodge staff are happy to receive US dollars on safari.
- Lodge extras: drinks, laundry and spa treatments can usually be paid in dollars or by card.
- Optional activities: such as hot air balloon flights, cultural visits and boat rides, if not prepaid.
- Souvenirs: curio shops and craft markets near the parks often quote and accept dollars.
- Visas on arrival: where available, often payable in dollars, although applying online in advance is easier.
Shillings are better in supermarkets, local restaurants, small roadside stalls, public transport and anywhere away from tourist areas. When paying in dollars, prices may be rounded, and change may be given in shillings.
Cards and ATMs
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, larger lodges, restaurants and shops in Nairobi, Arusha and other towns. American Express is accepted less often. Some lodges add a small surcharge for card payments, so ask before you pay.
ATMs are easy to find in Nairobi, Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar's Stone Town, as well as in larger towns along safari routes. They dispense local shillings. There are no ATMs inside the national parks, so withdraw what you need before heading out.
- Tell your bank and card provider about your travel dates to avoid blocked cards.
- Check foreign transaction and ATM fees, and consider a card with no foreign transaction fees.
- Bring at least two cards from different networks, kept in separate places.
- Use ATMs inside banks or shopping centers during daylight hours.
- Choose to be charged in local currency when paying by card, as the conversion is usually better.
Mobile Money: M-Pesa
Kenya is a world leader in mobile money. M-Pesa, run by Safaricom in Kenya and by Vodacom in Tanzania, is used for almost everything, from taxis and restaurants to market stalls. Visitors can buy a local SIM card with their passport and register for mobile money, which can be handy on longer trips. For most short safaris, though, US dollars on safari, a card and a little local cash are enough.
Tipping on Safari
Tipping is an important part of safari culture in Kenya and Tanzania, and US dollars on safari are the most common way to tip. Guides, drivers and lodge staff work hard to make your trip special, and tips are a significant part of their income. While tipping is always at your discretion, it is expected for good service.
Your Safari Guide
Your driver-guide is with you every day, finding wildlife, sharing knowledge and keeping you safe. Guests usually tip their guide at the end of the safari, with an amount per guest per day. Your safari company can give you current guidelines when you book.
Lodge and Camp Staff
Most lodges have a communal tip box at reception, shared among all staff, including kitchen, housekeeping and maintenance teams who you may not meet. Tip once at the end of your stay rather than individually, unless someone has gone out of their way for you.
Porters, Boat Captains and Cultural Guides
Small tips are appreciated by porters who carry your luggage, boat captains on lake trips and local guides at cultural visits. Keep a few small bills handy for these moments.
Mountain Crews
If you climb Kilimanjaro, tipping your guides, cooks and porters is a significant and expected part of the trip. Ask your operator for guidance, as the crew is often large. Read our guide to climbing Kilimanjaro.
How to Tip
- Use clean, newer US bills or local shillings.
- Place tips in an envelope with a short thank-you note.
- Hand tips directly to your guide at the end of the trip, or use the lodge tip box.
- Tip in proportion to the length and quality of service.
Keeping Money Safe
- Use a money belt or hidden pouch in cities and on travel days.
- Use the room safe at lodges for passports and spare cash.
- Split your money between bags so a single loss does not leave you stranded.
- Be discreet when paying in markets and on the street.
- Keep a record of card numbers and your bank's emergency phone number.
- Exchange money at banks or official bureaus, never with people on the street.
Safari areas and lodges are generally very safe, and most money issues happen in busy city areas. Read our guide Is Kenya safe for tourists?
6 Essential Money Tips for US Travelers
1. Check the Series Year
Before packing US dollars on safari, check the series year on every bill. Newer bills avoid refusals at lodges, banks and border posts.
2. Carry a Mix of Bills
Bring plenty of small bills for tips and a few larger ones for exchanging, so you are never stuck without change.
3. Tell Your Bank
Notify your bank of your travel dates and carry two cards from different networks in separate bags.
4. Get Shillings in Town
Withdraw a small amount of local currency from an ATM in Nairobi or Arusha before heading to the parks, where there are no cash machines.
5. Prepare Tip Envelopes
Set aside tips in labeled envelopes at the start of your trip, so you are not counting cash on your last morning.
6. Keep Valuables Hidden
Use a money belt in cities and the room safe at lodges, and never flash large amounts of cash.
Exchanging Money on Arrival
If you want local currency on arrival, you will find exchange bureaus and ATMs in the arrivals halls at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport. Airport rates are usually a little less favorable than in town, so many travelers change only a small amount at the airport and use ATMs or banks in the city for more.
When exchanging US dollars on safari trips, larger bills usually get a better rate than small ones, and newer bills are essential. Count your money before leaving the counter, keep the receipt and avoid anyone offering to change money in the street.
How Much Cash Should You Bring?
The amount of US dollars on safari you need depends on your trip length, the number of people in your group and how much you plan to spend on extras. Because our packages include accommodation, full-board meals, park fees, activities, transport and drinking water, most of your cash will go on tips, drinks and souvenirs. A practical approach is to calculate your expected tips first, using your safari company's guidelines, then add a reserve for drinks, laundry, crafts and emergencies.
Carry part of your money as US dollars on safari for tips and extras, and rely on cards for larger purchases at lodges and hotels. If you run short, ATMs in towns along your route can top up your cash in local currency.
Common Tipping Myths
Myth: tipping is optional and rare. In Kenya and Tanzania, tipping is customary in the safari industry and an important part of staff income.
Myth: local currency is better for tips. Both are welcome. Many guides prefer US dollars on safari tips, while shillings are easier for staff to spend locally. Either is fine if bills are clean.
Myth: one tip covers everyone. Your guide and the lodge staff are usually tipped separately, with lodge tips shared through a communal box.
Myth: coins are acceptable. US coins cannot be exchanged in East Africa, so always tip with bills.
A Simple Wallet Checklist
- Newer, clean US bills in a mix of small and large denominations
- Two cards from different networks, with your bank notified
- A small amount of local shillings for roadside stops
- Labeled tip envelopes
- Copies of your passport, eTA or visa, and insurance details
- Your bank's emergency phone number
With this checklist, using US dollars on safari is simple, and you can focus on the wildlife instead of your wallet. For everything else to bring, see our safari packing list, and for planning, our Kenya and Tanzania safari guide for Americans.
Budgeting for Extras
When planning how many US dollars on safari to bring, think about the extras that are not included in your package. These usually include tips, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, optional activities and meals outside your safari, such as in Nairobi or Arusha. Our packages include accommodation, meals, park fees, activities, transport and drinking water, so your extra spending is mainly discretionary. Ask us for a personal estimate when you book.
Shopping for Souvenirs
Kenya and Tanzania are famous for beautiful crafts, including Maasai beadwork, soapstone carvings, wooden sculptures, kikoy fabrics, Tingatinga paintings and Tanzanite jewelry. Bargaining is common in markets and roadside shops, so start lower than the asking price and negotiate with a smile. Fixed-price shops and lodge boutiques do not usually bargain.
Never buy products made from ivory, rhino horn, turtle shell, wild animal skins or protected plants. They are illegal to export and import, including into the USA. Learn about Maasai culture and crafts in our Masai Mara safari guide.
Paying for Safari Extras and Activities
Some activities are not included in standard safari packages and are paid for locally. Hot air balloon flights over the Masai Mara or the Serengeti are usually booked in advance but can sometimes be arranged on the spot. Cultural visits, extra boat rides, spa treatments and premium drinks are also common extras. Most lodges accept cards or US dollars on safari for these, but ask in advance, as some smaller camps prefer cash.
If you are traveling with us, we can include many of these experiences in your package so you do not have to carry extra cash. Popular add-ons include a Masai Mara hot air balloon safari, a sundowner on the plains or a bush dinner.
Money When Crossing Between Kenya and Tanzania
If your trip includes both countries, you will be dealing with two different shillings. Kenyan shillings are not accepted in Tanzania, and Tanzanian shillings are not accepted in Kenya, so spend or exchange your local currency before crossing the border. This is one reason many Americans prefer to rely on US dollars on safari for tips and extras when visiting both countries, as dollars work on both sides of the border.
Money changers operate at border posts such as Namanga, but rates can be poor, so change only small amounts there. Read our guide to a Kenya and Tanzania safari from the USA for more on crossing the border.
Money Tips for Zanzibar
US dollars on safari work well on Zanzibar too. Hotels and tour operators often quote prices in dollars, while Stone Town's markets and local restaurants use Tanzanian shillings. ATMs are available in Stone Town and some beach areas, but can run out of cash on weekends and holidays, so carry a reserve. Read our guide to the best time to visit Zanzibar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use US dollars on safari in Kenya and Tanzania? Yes. Dollars are widely accepted for tips, lodge extras, souvenirs and activities.
Why are old US bills refused? Older series are more often counterfeited, so many businesses only accept newer, clean bills.
Should I bring small or large bills? Both. Small bills for tips and purchases, larger bills for exchanging at better rates.
Are credit cards accepted on safari? Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most lodges and hotels. American Express is less common.
Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay? Some hotels and shops in cities accept them, but coverage is limited in safari areas, so carry cards and cash.
No. Withdraw cash in towns before your safari.Can I pay park fees in cash? Park fees on our packages are prepaid, so you do not need cash at the gates. Many parks now require card or electronic payment for independent visitors.
Should I bring traveler's checks? No. They are rarely accepted today. Use US dollars on safari, cards and ATMs instead.
How should I tip my safari guide? At the end of the trip, in an envelope, using clean US bills or shillings.
Plan Your Safari
Our packages include the essentials, so you only need cash for extras and tips. Contact us for a free, tailor-made itinerary and personal advice on budgeting, or explore our Kenya safari packages and Tanzania safari packages. For entry rules, read our guide to the Kenya eTA for US citizens, and before you go, review the CDC's travel pages for Kenya and Tanzania.