Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) Calculator

Tanzania's Shilling: Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar

Tanzania offers three of Africa's greatest travel experiences in a single country: the Serengeti wildebeest migration, Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa's highest peak at 5,895 meters), and the spice island of Zanzibar. The Tanzanian shilling is managed by the Bank of Tanzania under a floating regime, and one dollar buys roughly 2,600 to 2,700 TZS. The economy depends on mining (gold, tanzanite, diamonds), agriculture (coffee, cashews, tobacco, tea), tourism, and natural gas.

Tourism is Tanzania's largest foreign exchange earner. The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem hosts the annual Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles cross the plains following the rains. Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcanic caldera teeming with wildlife, is often called the "eighth wonder of the world." Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Selous (now Nyerere), and Ruaha provide alternative safari experiences with fewer crowds.

Safari costs in Tanzania are among the highest in Africa due to park fees, which can exceed 70 USD per person per day at premium parks like the Serengeti. A mid-range safari package covering four to five days in the northern circuit costs $250 to $400 per person per day including vehicle, driver-guide, accommodation, meals, and park fees. Budget camping safaris bring that down to $150 to $200 per day. Kilimanjaro climbs run $1,500 to $3,500 for the five to eight-day trek depending on the route and operator, with park fees alone exceeding $1,000.

Zanzibar provides the beach and cultural complement. Stone Town, the historic heart of Zanzibar City, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with narrow alleys, carved wooden doors, and a spice-scented atmosphere. Beach hotels on the north and east coasts cost 80,000 to 300,000 TZS per night. A meal in Stone Town runs 10,000 to 25,000 TZS. At 2,650 TZS per dollar, divide by 2,700. A 150,000 TZS hotel is about $56. A 15,000 TZS dinner is $5.60.

USD/TZS Conversion

USD/TZS = 2,650 means one US dollar buys 2,650 shillings. Converting $500 gives you 1,325,000 TZS. Converting 2,000,000 TZS gives you roughly $755. Safari operators and Kilimanjaro companies quote in USD. Hotels and restaurants in tourist areas accept dollars. Local businesses, markets, and transport operate in shillings. ATMs from CRDB, NMB, and Stanbic are common in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar. Card payments work at hotels and lodges but not at smaller businesses.

Zanzibars Spice Heritage and Practical Tips

Zanzibars nickname as the "Spice Island" dates to its history as a major clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper producer. Spice tours through plantations outside Stone Town cost 20,000 to 40,000 TZS and provide hands-on introduction to tropical spices, fruits, and medicinal plants. The islands food scene blends Swahili, Arab, Indian, and Portuguese influences, with the Forodhani Gardens night market in Stone Town offering an affordable open-air food experience where vendors grill seafood, cook Zanzibar pizza (a street food crepe), and serve sugarcane juice for 2,000 to 10,000 TZS per item. The east coast beaches at Nungwi and Paje offer kitesurfing, snorkeling, and the kind of white sand and turquoise water that rivals the Maldives at a tenth of the price. For budget travelers, combining a mainland safari with Zanzibar beach time creates one of Africas best-value two-week itineraries.

Practical tips for Tanzania: the visa on arrival costs $50 USD and is straightforward at Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam airports. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required if arriving from an endemic country. Safari companies range from excellent to unreliable, and reading reviews on specialized forums rather than relying solely on booking platforms helps identify operators with well-maintained vehicles and knowledgeable guides. Tipping is expected on safaris (guide: $15-20/day, cook: $10/day, porter: $5-10/day on Kilimanjaro), and these costs should be factored into your budget. Tanzanias mobile money system (M-Pesa and Tigo Pesa) is widely used domestically but not easily accessible to foreign visitors, so cash and cards remain the practical options for tourists.

The Selous (now Nyerere) Game Reserve in southern Tanzania is Africas largest game reserve by area, larger than Switzerland, and offers a safari experience with far fewer vehicles than the crowded northern circuit. Boat safaris on the Rufiji River provide a different perspective on wildlife viewing, with hippos, crocodiles, and elephants encountered from the water. The reserve receives a fraction of Serengetis visitors, making it the choice for travelers who prioritize solitude and wilderness over easy access and guaranteed sightings.

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