The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzania Shilling though the U.S. dollar is the most convenient and readily acceptable currency. Visa and MasterCard are accepted at some lodges and larger shops. Traveler checks are difficult to cash and are not recommended but you may wish to bring for emergency purposes. It is recommended to bring enough US dollars plus an additional cushion amount to cover all additional expenses just to be on the safe side. Please make sure to bring crisp, new vintage bills as many shops, hotels and banks in Tanzania will not accept older bills due to counterfeiting problems.

The majority of the costs on your trip are included in your package. See your inclusions and exclusions section on the last page of your itinerary along with the tipping guidelines below for a gauge to determine the amount of money you will need to bring. You should bring U.S. dollars in both large and small denominations to pay for any additional expenses. Change for large denominations may be difficult. It is recommended that you bring approximately fifty one-dollar bills in a separate accessible envelope. Most of the extras on your safari including drinks ($1 - $3 per bottled water, soft drink, beer, wine or spirit where not included), laundry ($2 - $3 per item where not included), souvenirs (many under $5) and miscellaneous tips (see tipping section below) are individually under $5. Accordingly, carrying on you an envelope of one-dollar bills comes in handy. Please note that all drinks and laundry are included at Migration Camp, Private Luxury Camp, Kusini Camp, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Swala Camp, Tarangire Treetops, Mnemba Island Lodge and The Palms Zanzibar. Bottled water at meals served from the lodge or camp is considered a bar item and not included at those lodges and camps that do not include all drinks.

Tipping on your Safari

Tipping is just one way for guests to “give back” to the local people of Tanzania. It’s true that tipping has become a customary and integral part of the safari industry, but it remains an excellent way to recognize one’s appreciation for excellent service. Many guests express a desire to understand ahead of time what amounts and methods are appropriate or customary, which is the reason for the suggested guidelines expressed here. Please see below for recommended tipping guidelines for your safari:

• Driver-Guide: $30 to $60 per vehicle per day
• Private Luxury Camping: $30 to $60 per vehicle per day
• Walking Safaris: $20 per vehicle per walk
• Maasai Boma Visit: $20 per vehicle
• Ranger tip for Mara River: $20 per group
• Meet and Greet Staff tip in Arusha: $10 to $20 per group
• Porterage/Baggage Handling: $2 to $4 per group per lodge
• Lodge/Camp Staff Gratuity boxes: See below

The biggest tip on your safari will most likely be to your driver guide. It is most appropriate to provide the tip to your driver-guide all in one lump sum amount during the last day of your safari. Large denomination bills ($50 or $100) are suitable for your driver-guide tip. Please make sure to bring crisp, new vintage bills as many shops, hotels and banks in Tanzania will not accept older bills due to counterfeiting problems.

The Meet and Greet Staff tip suggested above refers to ADS staff in Arusha, specifically the representative picking you up at the airport and transferring you to your arrival hotel; this person will also give you a “pre-safari briefing” and will ensure all your initial questions are answered. However, you do NOT need to tip the representative that meets you inside customs at the Kilimanjaro Airport to issue your Tanzania Visa.

At each lodge and camp there are gratuity boxes located in the reception area. We recommend using these gratuity boxes in lieu of providing a tip to the people that assist you directly (waiter, bartender, etc). By using the gratuity box, your tip is divided fairly among all the staff members including the ones behind the scenes such as the cooks, room attendants, house keepers, security guards, etc. Providing a tip in each lodge’s or camp’s gratuity box is by no means mandatory but if you feel that you have received excellent service and are inclined to provide a tip, then a $10 per group per night tip would be sufficient. Please note that all Lemala Camp properties may have information sheets located inside your room which suggest tipping the Lemala staff $15 per person per day. These tipping guidelines are NOT applicable to guests on a private safari with ADS and are strictly intended for guests on a game package (group safari) basis. At most lodges and camps, someone will bring your luggage in from your vehicle to your room. You may wish to provide a $2 to $4 per group tip for this service. It is recommended that you bring one-dollar bills to cover tipping described above and various other inexpensive small items (souvenirs, incidentals, etc) as change is not readily available at most properties. Other discretionary tips include tipping your private butler at the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge or Mbalageti Presidential Suite (suggested at $10 to $20 per couple per stay).