Money and tipping in Tanzania

Tanzania's currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). Since 2025, prices and payments for goods and services inside the country must be in shillings.

Last checked: 1 November 2026. Rules, fees and advice change, so confirm them with the official source named at the end of this page before you book and again before you fly.

The 2025 currency rules

The government's 2025 regulations on the use of foreign currency (Government Notice 198 of 28 March 2025) require prices and payments for goods and services in Tanzania to be in shillings. The Bank of Tanzania's public notice of 2 May 2025 says it is an offence to quote or advertise prices in foreign currency, to demand or accept payment in foreign currency, or to refuse payment in shillings. The regulations list some transactions that may still be made in foreign currency.

For visitors, the Bank says to change foreign currency at commercial banks and licensed bureaux de change, or to pay by card or other digital methods.

Changing money and paying

  • Change money only at banks and licensed bureaux de change. The Bank of Tanzania licenses bureaux and publishes a list of the institutions it supervises.
  • The Bank of Tanzania publishes daily exchange rates on its website, which helps you judge a rate you are offered.
  • Some government fees, such as the eVisa fee, are listed in US dollars on the official portal and paid online.
  • Tell your bank where you are travelling, and carry more than one way to pay.
  • Do not carry large amounts of cash. The UK FCDO reports that bag snatching is common.

Tipping

In the safari industry, tipping is common: many travellers tip guides, drivers, camp staff and Kilimanjaro crews at the end of their time together. There is no official rate. Amounts vary with the operator, the size of the group and the length of the trip, so ask your operator for its current guidance before you travel and include it in your budget.

Ask which currency to tip in too, now that the 2025 currency rules are in force.

Check before you travel

Sources: the Bank of Tanzania public notice of 2 May 2025 on the use of foreign currency, and the Bank's exchange rate and bank supervision pages. Confirm the current rules with the Bank of Tanzania before you travel.