Should I bring traveler's checks?

No. Traveler's checks are nearly impossible to cash in East Africa. Rely on a combination of a Visa debit card for ATMs and pristine, post-2016 USD bills for exchange.

How much should I tip?

Tipping is not mandatory but highly appreciated. For a group safari guide, $10-$20 USD per day total from the group is standard. For small restaurant services, rounding up or adding 5-10% is generous.

How to Budget for Backpacking East Africa

Budget for $45–$60 per day to cover modest hostels, local transport, street food, and one activity every few days. This excludes major excursions like gorilla trekking or long-range international flights, which require a separate reserve fund.

Separate your core budget from your 'Big Ticket' fund. Set aside your daily $50 spending money, then create a separate 'Activity Fund' for non-negotiable bucket-list items. Gorilla permits ($700+), Serengeti safaris ($250+/day), and Kilimanjaro climbs ($1,500+) will break your daily budget if you try to squeeze them into it.
Use a multi-currency strategy. Keep your savings in USD. Most East African border crossings and expensive tours are quoted in USD. Keep a local debit card or cash in the local shilling (KES, TZS, UGX) for daily food and matatu transport to avoid unfavorable conversion rates.
Master the 'Matatu' cost structure. Public minibuses (matatus) are the cheapest way to travel. Always ask a local or your hostel staff what the 'standard' fare is before getting on. If you are a tourist, drivers will often quote you double; having the exact change in small notes prevents them from 'forgetting' your change.
Leverage street food and markets. Eat where the locals eat. 'Chapati' and 'beans' or 'pilau' from a market stall will cost you $1.50–$3.00, compared to $10.00+ in tourist-centric restaurants. Shop at local produce markets for fruit and snacks to keep your grocery costs under $5 per day.

Should I bring traveler's checks?: No. Traveler's checks are nearly impossible to cash in East Africa. Rely on a combination of a Visa debit card for ATMs and pristine, post-2016 USD bills for exchange.
How much should I tip?: Tipping is not mandatory but highly appreciated. For a group safari guide, $10-$20 USD per day total from the group is standard. For small restaurant services, rounding up or adding 5-10% is generous.