Been reading posts past and present this forum and also Trip Advisor. I know the amounts to tip pp per day to guides, lodge staff, etc. but am confused on whether better to bring large notes USD or smaller notes USD. I had a lot of trouble but managed to get newly minted ones and fives and practically new tens and twenties. Should I also try to get larger than what I have?? Different posts have differing opinions. At first I thought smaller bills but then I read that you can get more in exchanging larger US bills. Know I can get Ksh for Kenya trip but crossing by land to Tz. so unsure if will be able to get Ts. Should my tips to those in Tz. be in larger US bills? Totally confused now. Help! We leave 8/7/08 and haven't received any guidelines yet from TA. Trip is through Brendan who will be using Pollmans in Kenya and Ranger in Tz. I believe. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Unless you plan to bring lots of 100s, which except for your guide for the duration of time spent with him, will you need large bills for tipping.

In both countries you can use USD, though easier to exchange a small amount of USD to Ksh or just withdraw from an ATM. On my recent visit the 6000Ksh withdrawn averages 62Ksh/USD$1... pretty good. Can be used for camp tips or small sourvenir purchases.

Once in Tanzania you can have guide stop at a currency exchange or bank to exchange maybe USD$75-100 worth to Tsh. Some claim you get a slightly better exchange rate for larger bills; wouldn't know as I have never used anything but USD in Tanzania.

stick with your small denominations as it's easier to add up to any amount!
happy travels!

div

Also stick to Kenyan Shilings in Kenya... I've only used dollars for paying for visa, sometimes hotel... and international air tickets. Day to day, taxis, restaurants, mandazi, etc all take Ksh.

I find for the most part I use 10s and 20s. It takes an awful lot of 1s and 5s to add up to anything. Whether or not you'll use larger bills depends on how long you are with each guide and how long you are at each camp, since you would generally tip at the end of each stay.