Best Currency Exchange Tips for Tanzania: Get Newest US Dollars Before Your Trip

Smooth sailing through Tanzanian customs 🇹🇿! My suitcase took a minor hit with a dent, and officials did ask for my yellow fever vaccination records—no worries though, since we weren’t arriving from a high-risk zone.

Evening brought an unexpected twist during my hike planning session with the guide. Everything was going smoothly until payment time. The guide meticulously inspected each bill before suddenly pulling out a stack—that’s when the drama unfolded.

Shockingly, many of my USD bills exchanged back home (from 2006 and 1996) got rejected! The guide explained these older notes could still be used… but at a brutal exchange rate. While current rates offer 2,735 shillings per USD, these vintage bills would only fetch 1,600. Cue internal screaming!

Pro tip for Tanzania-bound travelers: Always check your USD issue dates! Does anyone know if Kenyan operators accept 2006/1996 bills? Drop your wisdom in the comments!

Mountain adventure begins tomorrow—hope to cross paths with fellow explorers!

[Pic 3] The hidden gem: Mwambao Restaurant. For just 5,000 shillings, I devoured aromatic curry beef with rice—flavor explosion! While the beef portions were modest, the rice quality blew away anything I’ve had in Sweden (sorry, 30 SEK/kg supermarket rice!). The spices alone were worth every shilling.