Ban on Foreign Currency for Domestic Transactions in Tanzania

The Government of Tanzania has recently implemented a new regulation that prohibits the use of foreign currencies for domestic transactions within the country. The Bank of Tanzania has issued an advisory stating the mandatory requirement to conduct all local payments exclusively in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS). We understand that this recent development might pose some questions. Therefore, to avoid any last minute confusion, we have answered the following questions for you:

What Transactions Must be Made in Tanzanian Shillings?

The following is a list of things, places and areas where you will be required to pay in Tanzanian Shillings:

1. Rural or remote areas
2. Local markets
3. Bars or Restaurants
4. Small shops or vendors
5. Small expenses like souvenirs, drinks etc.

What Transactions Can be Made in USD?

The following is a list of things, places and areas where you can pay in USD:

1. All Bookings made with us
2. Accommodations
3. VISA on arrival
4. Tour balance
5. Tips

Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) will continue to be accepted at many hotels, lodges, and larger commercial establishments. Additionally, some authorized mobile payment platforms may also be used in urban and tourist-focused areas.

What is The Most Convenient Way to Get Tanzanian Shillings?

The most convenient way to obtain Tanzanian Shillings (for small, personal expenses) would be to stop at an ATM along the way on your safari. Since all safaris start from major cities like Arusha and Dar es Salaam, finding an ATM will not be an issue. However, ensure that you do withdraw Tanzanian Shillings at the beginning of your safari, since there might be a lack of ATMs in rural and remote areas later on during your safari. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in ATMs in these cities, and we recommend you to consult your card issuer for any potential fees for withdrawing Tanzanian Shillings from an ATM in Tanzania.

How much Tanzanian Shillings Should I Carry?

Since most of the major expenses will be paid in USD (Tour Balance, Tips, Accommodations, Visa on Arrival etc), we recommend you to not carry a large amount of Tanzanian Shillings. However, you should carry a sufficient amount suitable for small and personal expenses such as for buying souvenirs or drinks, or to shop and eat at local markets etc.

To ensure a smooth and compliant travel experience, clients are advised to follow these guidelines:

1. Bring foreign currency in good condition (e.g., USD, EUR, GBP) to exchange upon arrival at the airport or through official channels.

2. We recommend withdrawing Tanzanian Shillings from ATMs along the way.

3. Carry sufficient Tanzanian Shillings to cover small, personal expenses such as local purchases, souvenirs, drinks etc.

4. Use electronic payment methods (credit/debit cards) for major expenses where available, but do not rely on them exclusively.

5. Monitor exchange rates prior to travel to plan budgets effectively.

Booking with Monkey Adventures

We are accepting USD for Bookings, Tour Balances, Tips, and Accommodation until the foreseeable future. If there is an update, we will contact you and inform you of the changes as soon as possible. We are committed to making your safari experience seamless and easy, and our professional sales team will be available to assist you on this matter and answer any questions you may have.