jenbertoni

im going to be in kenya, tz, and rwanda and from what ive gathered, i can pretty much use the USD for anything other than some small side of the road places. So, i just went to my bank to get a little cash to have on hand, but im a little concerned about the bills being too old. i thought i read that bills had to be 2000 or newer? I have a nice $100 bill that ill use for my TZ visa, but i got a few extra for tipping my guides which are1996-1999. THey still have the big heads and the condition is pretty good (no tears, but there are some folds). I also have a few $20s that are not the newest tricolor ones. Most of my 10s are no the tan ones and are a bit wrinkled. My 5s are 1999-2003.

Im really stressed out right now because the only bills that are in really good and crisp condition are the 50s and the single 100 that ill be using for visas. The rest are OK, but wrinkled and some folded, no tears though. These will be used for tipping and purchasing other items along the way, or exchanging for local currency. Will they take older bills that arent in perfect condition? I told my bank i needed new bills that were very crisp but they just said since xmas and chinese new year passed, i missed the crisp bill bandwagon. Should i go to a different bank location (this one was the kind at the market) and see if they can give me better bills? thanks for the help!!

kiananui

Returned from Tanzania last week and a traveling companion had a $10 bill that no one would accept. It was one of the older 'models' and he was unable to use it the entire time.
Have a wonderful visit to Africa. I cannot wait to return.

aowens

do not risk it. go to a different bank.

Bill_H

In Tanzania they would not accept older $100 bills ... agree with aowens, go to another bank and get new currency ...

sandi

Bills shouldn't be older than 5/yrs, so that's 2003 or later.

jenbertoni

thanks guys! off to another bank in hopes of getting some newer bills. Cross your finers for me. ;-)