Safari Guide
Tanzania Money Guide
Quick answer
Should you bring US dollars to Tanzania?
Yes, some: US dollars are useful for fees and tips, and we advise notes printed in 2009 or later. The Tanzanian shilling is what you use day to day, and TANAPA publishes its park fees in shillings, while the Ngorongoro authority publishes its fees for visitors from outside East Africa in dollars. Cards cover larger bills where they are accepted; at our hotel that means Visa and Mastercard, not American Express.
| Day to day | Tanzanian shillings (TZS) |
| US dollars | Notes from 2009 or newer, our advice |
| TANAPA park fees | Published in shillings, excl. VAT |
| Ngorongoro fees | Published in US dollars for non-East Africans |
| Cards at Matlai | Visa and Mastercard; no American Express |
| ATM near the hotel | In Michamvi Pingwe village; more banks in Paje |
| Last verified | 2 October 2026 |
Dollars
Should you bring US dollars to Tanzania?
Bring some, but not everything. The Tanzanian shilling is the currency you use for small things: drinks, snacks, taxis, market stalls. US dollars are useful for fees and tips and are accepted widely where tourists pay, including at our hotel, where you can pay cash in US dollars or Tanzanian shillings.
The park authorities show the split. TANAPA, which runs the Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Kilimanjaro, publishes its fees in Tanzanian shillings and states that they are exclusive of VAT. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority publishes its fees for visitors from outside East Africa in US dollars. In practice your safari company pays the park fees and builds them into its price; ask which payments are left to you.
| What you pay for | Currency | Source |
|---|---|---|
| National park fees (TANAPA) | Tanzanian shillings, excl. VAT | TANAPA tariff |
| Ngorongoro entry and crater fee | US dollars for non-East Africans | NCAA tariffs |
| Your stay at Matlai | US dollars, from USD 535 a night, half board (2026) | Our rate sheet |
| Government infrastructure tax | USD 4 per person per night | Our rate sheet |
| Airport transfer to the hotel | USD 60 per car, paid to the transfer company | Our rate sheet |
| Drinks, taxis, markets | Tanzanian shillings | Everyday use |
Notes
Which dollar notes are refused?
Older notes are where the trouble starts. We advise guests to bring US dollar notes printed in 2009 or later. We looked for a single official rule and did not find one: banks, shops and lodges set their own, and the year they accept differs from place to place. Newer notes avoid the discussion.
Keep the notes flat and in good condition, carry a mix of small and larger values for tips and fees, and split your cash between two places. Do not bring more than you need: the UK government advises against carrying large amounts of cash or showing valuables.
Cards and ATMs
Where do cards and ATMs work?
Cards cover the larger bills where they are accepted, but not everywhere takes them, so never rely on one card alone. At Boutique Hotel Matlai we take Visa and Mastercard; we do not accept American Express, and we do not exchange currency.
On the south-east coast there is an ATM in Michamvi Pingwe village, and Paje, further south, has several banks with ATMs. Use ATMs in daylight and inside banks or busy places: the UK government reports that in Dar es Salaam tourists have been robbed and forced to withdraw cash from ATMs. Tell your bank you are travelling before you leave.
Tips
How much should you tip?
On safari, tips for the guide and the camp staff are usually not in the price. We do not print amounts, because no official source sets them; ask your safari company what is customary, agree it in advance and carry it in cash in small notes.
At our hotel there is one tip box in the office, shared by the whole team, and there is no individual tipping. Everything else on the bill is in our fact sheet: the payment cards, what every stay includes, and what is charged.
Arrival
What do you pay when you arrive?
Plan for the mandatory inbound insurance: You need one policy, for the place you land first: land on Zanzibar first and you buy the Zanzibar insurance (ZIC, USD 44 per adult, USD 22 per child aged 3–17); land on the mainland first and, since 1 October 2026, you buy the mainland’s NIC (USD 44), which also counts on Zanzibar. Either covers up to 92 days. Our entry requirements guide covers visas and the rest of the arrival.
On the way to the hotel, the private transfer from Zanzibar airport costs USD 60 per car for up to 6 people, paid to the transfer company, and takes about 1h15. For the park fees and a safari budget, see Tanzania safari costs; for the beach half, Zanzibar after safari.
Where these facts come from
Official sources
- TANAPA: park entry tariffs (online reservation system): The national park fees, published in Tanzanian shillings and exclusive of VAT.
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority: tariffs: The Ngorongoro fees for non-East-African visitors, published in US dollars.
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Tanzania safety and security: Carrying cash and using ATMs safely.
Checked on 2 October 2026. We link to the bodies that set the rules, not to summaries of them. Rules change: check the page itself before you travel.
Good to know
Questions travellers ask
The money questions guests ask us before they arrive from the safari.
Should I bring US dollars or euros to Tanzania?
Bring some US dollars for fees and tips, and use Tanzanian shillings day to day. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority publishes its fees for visitors from outside East Africa in dollars; TANAPA publishes the national park fees in shillings. Your safari company usually pays the park fees for you, so ask what is left for you to pay.
Which US dollar notes are accepted in Tanzania?
We advise notes printed in 2009 or later. There is no single official cut-off that we can point you to; places set their own rules, and newer notes are the safer choice.
Can I pay by card at the hotel?
Yes, with Visa or Mastercard. We do not accept American Express, and we do not exchange currency. You can also pay in cash, in US dollars or Tanzanian shillings.
Is there an ATM near Michamvi Pingwe?
Yes, there is an ATM in Michamvi Pingwe village, and Paje, further south along the coast, has several banks with ATMs. Take out what you need for a few days rather than carrying large sums; the UK government advises against carrying large amounts of cash.
How much should I tip?
For the safari, ask your company what is customary for the guide and the camp staff, and carry it in cash. At our hotel there is one tip box in the office, shared by the whole team; there is no individual tipping.
What do I pay on arrival?
The mandatory inbound insurance: You need one policy, for the place you land first: land on Zanzibar first and you buy the Zanzibar insurance (ZIC, USD 44 per adult, USD 22 per child aged 3–17); land on the mainland first and, since 1 October 2026, you buy the mainland’s NIC (USD 44), which also counts on Zanzibar. Either covers up to 92 days. Our entry requirements guide has the details.
Your stay at Matlai
Choose your dates and the booking page opens with them, showing live availability.
Bookings with children go by enquiry: the booking page books adults only, so send us your dates on WhatsApp and we reply with the options. Children under 14 stay with a whole villa. WhatsApp →
Indicative public rates — the engine shows live availability for your dates.
Welcome drink, kayaks, bicycles and snorkelling gear, free of charge.
Booking with the hotel itself? Ask us what we can offer for your dates.
Why guests book Matlai
- Your own butler, 07:00 to 22:00. One message and it is arranged.
- Half board with a chef’s menu that changes daily: three courses, plus two à la carte kitchens at every table, Zatiny (Indian Ocean fusion) and Duyên (Vietnamese).
- Dine where you like: in the restaurant, in the garden or on your own balcony. A private table by the beach or a candlelight dinner can be arranged at an extra charge.
- Six rooms in two villas, a pool for each villa, shared by its rooms, and every room facing the sunrise over the ocean.
- Bustani, the garden spa; the sandbank in front of the hotel at low tide; a quiet beach lined with small, family-owned hotels.
WhatsApp Zanzibar after safari →
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