Managing money across a multi-country East Africa self-drive safari requires understanding four different currencies, variable ATM availability in remote areas, the role of USD cash as a universal parallel currency, and the tipping norms that are both culturally important and practically expected at every level of the tourism industry. Arriving with the wrong currency mix or insufficient cash for remote areas creates avoidable stress. This practical guide covers everything needed for money management across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Currencies: The Four Countries
- Uganda: Ugandan Shilling (UGX). USD $1 = approximately UGX 3,700-3,800 (2024). Notes: 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500 UGX.
- Rwanda: Rwandan Franc (RWF). USD $1 = approximately RWF 1,280-1,290 (2024). Notes: 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500 RWF.
- Kenya: Kenyan Shilling (KES). USD $1 = approximately KES 130-135 (2024). Notes: 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 KES.
- Tanzania: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). USD $1 = approximately TZS 2,500-2,600 (2024). Notes: 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 TZS.
The USD as Universal Currency
US Dollar cash is accepted as payment across East Africa for most tourist-facing transactions: park entry fees, gorilla permits, boat safaris, accommodation deposits, and many curio shops and restaurants. In many cases USD is preferred over local currency. Important: only USD bills printed from 2006 onward are accepted — pre-2006 notes with the smaller portrait are widely refused. USD $50 and $100 bills get the best exchange rates; USD $1 and $5 bills are useful for tips but get poor exchange rates.
Carry sufficient USD cash for: all park entry fees for the trip duration (calculate in advance), gorilla/chimp permits if paying in-country, accommodation deposits, and a reserve of USD $200-300 for emergencies. USD is exchanged at Bureau de Change offices in all major cities at competitive rates — typically 2-5% better than airport exchange and significantly better than hotel exchange.
ATM Access: Country by Country
- Kigali (Rwanda): Bank of Kigali, BPR, and Equity Bank ATMs throughout the city. Excellent Visa and Mastercard acceptance. ATMs in Musanze, Huye (Butare), and Gisenyi town. No ATMs in national parks.
- Kampala (Uganda): Stanbic, DFCU, Centenary Bank, and Standard Chartered ATMs widely available. In the parks and rural areas: last reliable ATMs in Masindi (for Murchison), Kabale (for Bwindi), Fort Portal (for Kibale), Kasese (for Queen Elizabeth).
- Nairobi (Kenya): KCB, Equity Bank, Standard Chartered ATMs everywhere. Nakuru, Naivasha, Nanyuki, Eldoret all have reliable ATMs. No ATMs inside national parks — withdraw in the nearest town before entering.
- Arusha (Tanzania): CRDB, NMB, Stanbic ATMs. Withdrawal limit: typically TZS 400,000 (approximately USD $155) per transaction. Multiple transactions may be needed. ATMs unreliable in Karatu and no ATMs at all inside Serengeti or NCA — withdraw in Arusha before the Northern Circuit.
Tipping Etiquette
Tipping is expected in East Africa’s tourism industry and forms a significant portion of income for guides, trackers, drivers, and lodge staff. The standard guidance:
- Gorilla/chimp trek guide: USD $10-20 per trekker per day. Given directly to the lead guide at the end of the trek. The guide divides a portion with their tracker assistants.
- Park porter (Bwindi gorilla trek): USD $10-15 per porter per trek. Given directly to the porter.
- Safari lodge guides: USD $5-10 per person per game drive, or USD $15-20 per person per day for a full-day guided experience.
- Accommodation staff (lodge, camp): USD $5-10 per person per night for full-service camps. Leave in the tip box at reception or envelope at checkout — it is distributed among kitchen, housekeeping, and bar staff.
- Self-drive (no guide): Tips still apply at lodges. Gate rangers who advise on wildlife locations: USD $2-5 for helpful specific information. Not obligatory but appreciated.
Credit Card Acceptance
Visa is accepted more widely than Mastercard in East Africa. American Express is largely not accepted. Credit card acceptance: reliable at major hotels in Nairobi, Kigali, Kampala, and Arusha; available but not guaranteed at mid-range lodges in national park areas; not available at basic guesthouses, local restaurants, or market vendors. Rwanda’s park entry (RDB) accepts credit card online booking. Kenya Wildlife Service accepts Mpesa and credit card at KWS gates. Tanzania parks: credit card or Mpesa where available, USD cash as reliable backup. Uganda Wildlife Authority: USD cash or Uganda mobile money (Airtel Money/MTN Momo). Have USD cash as backup for all park entry fees regardless of your primary payment preference.
