Local Money in Kenya and Tanzania

judith_salb

Does anyone know if we should get any local money? We usually do on other vacations but had not thought of Africa. I would love some advice.
Judy and Richie
Scottsdale

AlanS

JudySueS wrote:

Does anyone know if we should get any local money? We usually do on other vacations but had not thought of Africa. I would love some advice.
Judy and Richie
Scottsdale

Not needed at all.

There is only one place where you will need cash- if you want to buy trinkets when you visit the Masaai village. They accept cash in $ (USD.) All other places are happy to accept MC or VISA.

The two biggest shopping opportunities are at the Tanzanian Cultural Center in Arusha (you stop there for shopping before heading to Amboseli) and the Spinners and Weavers in Nanyuki, the town near Mount Kenya Safari Club. Also, but to a lesser extent, there is a vendor just outside the Safari Club entrance- he had some nice carved elephants and other animals- they all took MC or VISA.

On certain days there is a local market just a short distance from the entrance to the Lake Duluti Serena Hotel where you stay in Arusha, but I don't think they sell anything you would want to buy that you can't get elsewhere and it is not recommended you walk there without a guide.

Any place (hotels, lodges, Cultural Center, airports) where you might want to buy drinks or snacks will take MC and VISA.

You can use $$ for tips for the Driver/Guides and TD.

If you go a few days early you can pay for any activities scheduled through the hotel (walk around the lake, canoeing, tour of Arusha National Park, etc.), meals, souvenirs, etc. with your credit card when you pay your bill on checkout.

I don't think anyone on our tour (June 2015) converted USD to Tanzanian or Kenyan currency.

Sealord

JudySueS wrote:

Does anyone know if we should get any local money? We usually do on other vacations but had not thought of Africa. I would love some advice.
Judy and Richie
Scottsdale

We got some money in Tanzania to buy some 'cash' items. But, we should have spent all of it there, because they will not accept that money in Kenya. So it is Tanzania money for Tanzania, and Kenya money for Kenya, but you should not need any local money unless you are buying things off the beaten path.

joycesw

Alan's advice is spot on about using US dollars. However, I would advise you to bring small bills (especially one's) and check what the current acceptable date on those bills should be. When we went in 2013, they would not accept bills older than 2006. I'm not sure what the current date would be.

British

yes, you definitely do not need any local money. There seemed to be less emphasis on not having older bills last time we were there. They just need to not be torn or written on anything like that. Take as many $1 and $5 bills as you can along with your 10's and 20's. My own opinion is that of all people on the planet, this is not the place to try to squeeze a cheap deal out of them, they have so little and the things like the beaded collars must take quite some time to make. When we were last there, some of the hotel gift shops appeared to have very little inventory compared to last time. I have not been to the Four Seasons, I do not know about that hotel. The best place for choice is the Cultural Center in Arusha and of course the visits to the Masaai Village, oh and Oldupai Gorge store. There are no opportunities for anything like a Mall to shop. I particularly like the Talking sticks and Massai collars as souvenirs. Credit cards accepted everywhere apart form the Massai Villages.

judith_salb

I now know that everyone's response to me is accurate. No need for anything but my credit cards and cash. I will get smallish bills with newish dates.
Thanks to all of you
Judy

Williamsburger

I actually bought some fabric in the local market near Lake Duluti Serena Hotel . Our local guide negotiated the price and I paid in US cash. It was a good deal and the skirt I made got rave reviews for thje unique fabric.

Irenejacob

Hi friend, You can understand mor about afican countries from academic writing services. that is about their culture, climate and cost of remmody etc. Then you think about local money You keep mony with you after knowing about the expense in that country. you will get local money from money exchange center.

AlanS

Irenejacob wrote:

Hi friend, You can understand mor about afican countries from academic writing services. that is about their culture, climate and cost of remmody etc. Then you think about local money You keep mony with you after knowing about the expense in that country. you will get local money from money exchange center.

Go away!

mazalea

Williamsburger wrote:

I actually bought some fabric in the local market near Lake Duluti Serena Hotel . Our local guide negotiated the price and I paid in US cash. It was a good deal and the skirt I made got rave reviews for thje unique fabric.

If you're reading this Williamsburger, thanks SO much for the tip on fabric! I love to collect fabric!