Spending Money

This page contains information on money in general and exchange rates. Whilst you are a volunteer all food, accommodation and internal travel is included in the programme fee. Luxuries such as beer, chocolate and meals out are not included.

For information on travel costs such as safaris or treks please go to our Travel Costs page.

Please note prices here are listed in either US Dollars or in UK Pounds Sterling.

The unit of currency is the Tanzanian shilling (Tsh). Note/bill denominations are 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 and coins of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200. You cannot buy Tanzanian Shilling in advance. There is no black market for Tanzanian Shillings. Ignore offers on the street, it's probably a set-up. Sometimes you will hear Tanzanians talking dollars when what they really mean is 1,000 Tanzanian shillings.

Cash

Volunteer Africa advises that each volunteer brings the following amount of money to last for the volunteering time (food, accommodation and internal travel are all included in the programme fee so all you will be buying are extras such as stamps, chocolate etc) depending on which programme and duration you are doing;

Singida 4 weeks UK£100/US$200 in cash

Singida 7 weeks UK£175/US$330 in cash

Singida 10 weeks UK£250/US$450 in cash

Change this on arrival (most major currencies can be changed in Dar airport). Please note that Northern Irish and Scottish bank notes are IMPOSSIBLE to exchange. Bring money for travel time afterwards in US$ Traveller's Cheques and a visa card for emergencies. It is worth bringing a reserve of US$ in cash for national park fees (see Money for Travelling section on the next page) and also for emergency visas (see section below).

Emergency Tourist Visa Cash

Please take US$50 in cash in the unlikely event there are any problems with the visa exemption certificates on arrival at Dar es Salaam immigration and you need to get a tourist visa. (Please see visa information on page 17).

Traveller's Cheques (TCs)

Traveller's cheques can be cashed at major towns including Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, Singida and Tabora. It can take up to one hour to cash TCs. Take US$ TCs as other currencies may be refused. You must take your TC receipts as the banks will want to see them. TC cheques are usually exchanged at around 5% to 10% lower than cash.

US Dollar travellers' cheques are readily cashable in Tabora, and the best rates are obtained at NBC although cashing them can be slow. Some banks will only exchange travellers' cheques for people who have accounts with them, and others charge quite high commission. You may be re-directed to the exchange service operated by the New Tabora Hotel, which gives a poor rate of exchange.

ATM/Cash Machines/Plastic

Credit and debit cards are not generally accepted except at the most up-market establishments. Even if an ATM terminal displays a VISA logo, there is no guarantee that it will accept a non-Tanzanian card. In Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha there are ATMs/cash-machines, which take normal bankcards. The exchange rate is comparable with changing cash in a good Bureau such as at Dar airport, though ultimately this will depend on the charges made by your bank.

Singida

From May 2005 it is now possible to use (Visa/Electron) credit & debit cards from the two ATMs in Singida (one at the NBC Bank). Take a Visa card not any other type. Some banks offer a free visa card when you open a new account so set one up before you go. The exchange rate is below the rate that you get for cash but as good as you'd get for TCs but means that money can sit in home account until needed. Volunteer Africa would not recommend that you rely on this as your only source of cash as losing the card or the machine not working (there are no other ATMs in Singida town yet) would be a big problem.

Average Costs in Singida Town - October 2007

Beer in a bar in Singida town Tsh1000

Chip omlette in a bar in Singida town Tsh1000

Meal in Stanley Restaurant Tsh5000

Volunteer Africa recommends that you DO NOT rely on plastic. Credit cards are accepted only in the top hotels/tourist resorts and a surcharge of 5-20% may be levied. Tanzanian travel agents and domestic airline companies do not currently accept credit cards.

Western Union Money Transfers

If you have an emergency such as losing your cash or find you did not bring enough money with you, you can arrange a Western Union money transfer. A friend or family member can make a payment through a local Western Union agent (many post offices and travel agents such as Thomas Cook are agents). For a fee, they can wire money across to the nearest agent either in Singida or another large town. The service is fast and efficient. There are two agents in Singida including the Kiomboi Post Office on Bomani Street. In Tabora there are several Western Union agents are including the Tabora Head Post Office. For more details go to www.westernunion.comFor more details go to www.westernunion.com.

Exchange Rates at October 2005

For the latest exchange rate please go to the Bank of Tanzania's website www.bot-tz.org

Currency	Shillings (TSH)
Australia Dollars	860
Canada Dollars	970
Euros	1400
UK£Sterling	2000
US Dollars	1,300