Trip Planning
Tanzania Currency & Tipping Guide
What to bring, how much to tip, and where to withdraw cash. Everything about money for Kilimanjaro climbs and Tanzania safaris.
Cash to Carry
$500–$800 USD
Safari Guide Tip
$16–$26/day
7-Day Kili Tips
$364–$780/person
Exchange Rate
~2,650 TSh per $1
Money in Tanzania
What currency to bring
Tanzania operates on a dual-currency system. The Tanzanian shilling (TSh) is the local currency, used for everyday purchases, local markets, and small services. US dollars (USD) are the de facto currency for tourism — accepted everywhere for park fees, safari bookings, tipping, and most purchases in tourist areas.
For your Kilimanjaro climb and safari combo, you will primarily need USD. Safari Kilimanjaro handles all major payments by bank transfer or card in advance. The cash you carry covers tips, park fee supplements, and personal incidentals. We recommend bringing $500–$800 in clean USD bills for a typical 10-day Kilimanjaro + safari trip.
Avoid torn or heavily marked USD notes — they are routinely refused. $100 and $50 bills are preferred; smaller denominations are useful for tips. Old-series USD notes are sometimes refused even if technically valid — ask your bank for recent printings.
💡 Pro tip from Don
Withdraw Tanzanian shillings from the ATM at Kilimanjaro International Airport on arrival. The first ATM after security (before you reach the arrivals hall) dispenses TSh. Withdraw 100,000–200,000 TSh here — enough for tips, small purchases, and any cash emergencies before you reach Arusha.
The Kilimanjaro crew — tip them fairly, tip them in cash.
Logistics
Cash, ATMs and card payments
ATMs in Tanzania
- →ATMs available at Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam
- →Rural safari camps and mountain routes have NO ATMs — withdraw in Arusha
- →Standard withdrawal limit: 400,000 TSh (~$150 USD) per transaction
- →Visa and Mastercard accepted; inform your bank before travelling
Credit cards
- →Accepted at most hotels, large lodges, and tour operators
- →Not accepted for park fees (pay in cash at park gates)
- →Not accepted for tipping (always cash)
- →Many smaller shops and restaurants are cash only
- →3–5% foreign transaction fee typical on international cards
What you cannot pay by card
- →Park entry fees — always payable in USD cash at park gates
- →Kilimanjaro park fees — payable in Arusha in USD cash
- →Crew tips — always in cash, USD preferred
- →Porter tips — always in cash, USD required
- →Small local purchases, markets, roadside stalls — cash only
Kilimanjaro Tips
How much to tip your Kilimanjaro crew
On a typical 7-day Kilimanjaro climb, there are 8–14 crew members working for every climber. Tipping is not optional — it is the primary income for porters and cooks. Budget tipping as a non-negotiable trip cost.
Lead Guide
Manages the entire climb — safety, pace, crew. Most important tip.
Per day
$16–$26/climber
7-day total: $156–$260
Assistant Guide
Supports lead guide, helps slower climbers, additional safety coverage.
Per day
$10–$16/climber
7-day total: $83–$187
Porters (6–10 per climber)
Each carries up to 20kg of group gear. Most work the hardest.
Per day
$8–$12/climber
7-day total: $62–$104
Cook
Three hot meals a day at altitude. A good cook changes everything.
Per day
$10–$16/climber
7-day total: $83–$156
Camp Waiter / Hand
Sets up dining tent, serves meals, maintains camp cleanliness.
Per day
$5–$8/climber
7-day total: $42–$83
7-day climb total: Plan $364–$624 per climber for the entire mountain crew. For longer routes (9-day Lemosho), budget $468–$780. Solo climbers should tip at the higher end.
Safari Tips
How much to tip on safari
Safari Guide
Your primary guide drives, tracks animals, narrates the experience. Skilled and essential.
Rate
$16–$26 per day
$80–$130 per climber
Camp Staff (camping safaris)
Pooled tip divided among the camp team. Given to the head of camp to distribute.
Rate
$5–$10 per day total
$25–$70 per person
Lodge Staff (luxury lodges)
Pooled tip at checkout. Tip generously for exceptional service.
Rate
$5–$10 per guest per day
At your discretion
Camp Manager (exceptional service)
If the manager arranged upgrades or special experiences, a personal tip is a thoughtful gesture.
Rate
$21–$52
Optional bonus
Quick Reference
Swahili phrases for money situations
A few Swahili phrases will make cash transactions smoother and show respect for the local culture.
Asante
Thank you
Essential after any transaction or tip.
Haba na haba hujaza kibaba
Little by little fills the measure
A proverb about patience — also about saving.
Bei gani?
How much?
Ask the price at markets and stalls.
Ni ghali sana
It is very expensive
Negotiate with a smile after hearing the price.
Moja, mbili, tatu, nne, tano
One, two, three, four, five
Know your numbers in TSh.
Sita, saba, nane, tisa, kumi
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten
Finish the numbers for bargaining.
Nataka kutaja bei
I want to name a price
Start negotiating.
Karibu
Welcome / You are welcome
What you hear after tipping. Accept graciously.
FAQ
Common questions
What currency should I bring to Tanzania?
Bring US dollars in cash — crisp, clean bills, no tears. USD is accepted everywhere for safari fees, park fees, tipping, and most purchases. Euros and pounds are accepted at some tourist shops but at poor exchange rates. We recommend carrying $500–$800 in cash for tips and incidentals, on top of what you pay by card or bank transfer to Safari Kilimanjaro.
Should I tip separately for Kilimanjaro and the safari?
Yes — they are completely separate crews. Your Kilimanjaro tips go to the mountain team (guides, porters, cook). Your safari tips go to your wildlife guide and lodge/camp staff. Budget both separately. For a 7-day Kili climb plus a 5-day safari, plan $364–$780 for the mountain crew and $80–$260 for safari tips.
How much should I tip my Kilimanjaro guide?
For a 7-day Kilimanjaro climb, the lead guide typically receives $16–$26 per day per climber, totalling $156–$260 per climber for the entire climb. Assistant guides receive $10–$16 per day. Porters receive $8–$12 per day. The cook receives $10–$16 per day. Safari Kilimanjaro includes a full tipping breakdown in every quote — no surprises.
How much should I tip my safari guide?
For a 5-day safari, budget $16–$26 per day for your guide — totalling $80–$130 per climber. If you are in a group, the amount is per person, not per vehicle. Lodge or camp staff receive a pooled tip of $5–$10 per guest per day, given to the manager to distribute.
Do I need Tanzanian shillings?
You can get by on USD alone for most of your trip. However, Tanzanian shillings (TSh) are useful for small purchases in local markets, roadside stalls, tips for casual helpers, and small services. Carry a small amount — roughly 100,000 TSh (about $38) — for incidentals. You can withdraw shillings from ATMs at Kilimanjaro International Airport upon arrival.
Can I use credit cards in Tanzania?
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at larger hotels, some lodges, and most tour operators. However, credit cards cannot be used for park fees (payable in cash), tipping (cash only), or at many smaller establishments. Assume that 30–50% of your in-country spending will require cash. Inform your bank before travelling to avoid card blocks.
Are ATMs available in Tanzania?
ATMs are available in Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam, and at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Withdraw in USD or TSh depending on the ATM. Rural areas — including most safari camps and mountain routes — have no ATMs. Withdraw sufficient cash in Arusha or Moshi before heading to the mountain or remote safari camps.
What Swahili money phrases should I know?
Haba na haba hujaza kibaba — little by little fills the measure.这句斯瓦希里语的谚语适合提醒人们为小费存钱。对于数字，要学会 1-10：moja, mbili, tatu, nne, tano, sita, saba, nane, tisa, kumi。
Questions about money or tipping?
Don Kassim can send you a full tipping breakdown for your specific itinerary — including crew sizes, tip ceremony timing, and recommended cash amounts.
Ask Don About Tipping