•5 min readMoney & Value
Kenya Safari Currency Guide: Cash, Credit Cards, or M-Pesa?
The "Old Dollar" Bill Crisis
If you remember nothing else, remember this: Kenya does not accept US Dollar bills printed before 2013.
Banks in Kenya reject them due to past counterfeiting issues. If you bring older notes, no one will take them. Check the year on every single bill before you leave home.
Payment Methods Ranked
| Method | Where to Use | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Cash (USD) | Tips, Visas, Small Souvenirs | Essential (Small bills) |
| Cash (Kevin Shillings) | Local markets, Tips | Good to have (~$50 worth) |
| Credit Cards (Visa/MC) | Lodges, Park Fees, Nairobi Restaurants | Widely accepted (3-5% fee often adds up) |
| M-Pesa (Mobile Money) | Literally Everywhere | The Local King (but hard for tourists to set up) |
Do I need Kenyan Shillings?
Technically, no. You can survive a luxury safari entirely on USD and Credit Cards. However, getting about $50-$100 worth of shillings (KES) at the airport is nice for tipping porters or buying unique carvings at the village where they might not have USD change.
ATM Advice: Don't exchange money at your home bank (terrible rates). Just use an ATM at Jomo Kenyatta Airport (JKIA) upon arrival. It gives you the real exchange rate.
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