Money, ATMs and Currency on a Tanzania Safari

Money on a Tanzania safari is fairly straightforward, with one important caveat worth planning around. US dollars are widely accepted for most safari-related payments alongside the Tanzanian shilling, which gives you flexibility in what currency you carry. ATMs are readily available in Arusha and other major towns, but they're scarce to nonexistent once you're inside the national parks themselves — this isn't something you can rely on mid-safari if you run short on cash. Card acceptance follows a similar pattern: major lodges generally take cards, but plenty of smaller purchases, tips, and rural stops are cash-only. The practical takeaway is to withdraw or exchange what you'll realistically need before you leave Arusha, rather than assuming you can top up along the way. See our tipping guide for how much cash to plan for specifically.