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Hi everyone,

I'm flying into Kilimanjaro for a safari at the end of this month and have been advised to bring both USD and Tanzanian shillings. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find Tanzanian shillings in Toronto.

So, my question - I am arriving at 1:15am. Does anyone know if the currency exchange counter will still be open at that time? If not, is there an ATM that I could take cash out with my debit card?

Thanks!

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1

Hi,
I do not think it will be open at that time and there is no ATM at the airport.
You can change money at most hotels, but the rate can be a little bit smaller than in bureau de change. You can change the next day in the ATM or bureau de change on the way to your safari.
/Syller

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In response to #1

Hi,
I do not think it will be open at that time and there is no ATM at the airport.
You can change money at most hotels, but the rate can be a little bit smaller than in bureau de change. You can change the next day in the ATM or bureau de change on the way to your safari.
/Syller

syeller, i'm trusting that you have personal experience of this.
the airport website
http://www.kilimanjaroairport.co.tz/index.php/component/content/article/8-kia/65-passenger-services
says that there are 24 hrs ATMs

I'm not surprised that you can't find Tanz shillings in Toronto

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3

My advice - bring US dollar notes - printed after 2005 - all in good condition - to cuts or pieces missing etc. Also bring a range of denominations - say 20 $1 notes (these can usually be used at a rate of $1 to 14/1500 TSh when Shillings are not available) and then a mix of $5 & $10s with majority of you money in $50 notes. The larger notes often get better exchange rates. There will be a number of ATM/s in downtown Arusha or Moshi which will accept both VISA & MC Debit cards and dispense Tanzanian notes - usually 10,000 TSh but occasionally you can get 5000 TSh notes.
The reason you cannot get Tanzanian Shilling Notes in Canada is that it is not an internationally traded currency. Only Kenyan and Ugandan banks and exchange bureaux will cash them. SO remember to convert any TZ notes back into US notes BEFORE leaving Tanzania or Kenya.

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4

Hmmm, Actually there could be one. I dont remember clear. But it could be empty that time of the day! But try :)

/Syller

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5

The Turkish flight at this time brings not only one passenger. Sorry sometimes it is better to give no reply then a wrong one.
There is an exchange open, when you come for a special reason. Sometimes people don't have Dollars for the visa. so they have to change Euro in USD. That's why it has to be open.
Out of the exit gate right hand you see the ATM. Normally it is very well stocked. But because this is an EXIM Bank ATM it gives only 300,000 TZS with the same fees which Barclays or CRDB give 400,000. To change at the Airport Forex I recommend to change only a small amount, the rate is not good. Better to go next day to roundabout area in Arusha, there are many Forex and competition makes rates better. If you go only to Usa River halfway to Arusha, then in Rotterdam compund is Forex with the same rates like Arusha.
For cash USD nowadays it is much better to take only the new colored ones. (For instance 100 USD are blue).

Johannes
The Schimann Family

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6

Last time I went to pick up client in Kili Airport at 2030 the Bureau de Change was close and because there is a ATM in TZ it is not for sure it is working. I went to CRDB ATM today around 1300 - NO cash, Then CRDB at Benson - NO cash. But I found cast at Shoprite CRDB.

/Syller

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7

I'm very frequently for Turkish at the airport, never was the forex closed. Sorry for your experience. Right is, that the ATMs many times have no money inside. The best ATM which I know is in Tengeru at the petrol station, a CRDB ATM.
Good ATMs are also in Njiro Cinema Comples, CRDB and Barclays.

Johannes
The Schimann Family

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8

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