Currency

The currency you will be using on your tour is the Kenyan schilling (and the Tanzanian shilling, on extension). All East African countries have stringent exchange regulations. Their currencies are not interchangeable. We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible, and small amounts of the U.S. dollar for small purchases. (Please make sure that you only bring U.S. dollars printed in 1997 or later.) Otherwise, currency should be carried in the form of traveler’s checks. It is important to keep a receipt whenever you convert foreign currency. No local currency can be taken in or out of the country. Major American credit cards are accepted in Kenya. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. Please note: It has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.