Cash in the Wild: My Safari Adventure Across Kenya with Only Shillings

The moment I stepped off the plane in Nairobi, the air smelled of warm earth and coffee blossoms. I’d promised myself this trip would be different. No cards, no digital wallets - just Kenyan shillings and a deep dive into the heart of East Africa. It was more than a budgeting exercise. I wanted to feel every payment, every small transaction that keeps life moving in Kenya’s bustling cities and wild savannah.

Landing ready to roam

Before leaving home, I ordered my Kenyan shillings online through Manor FX. Their door-to-door delivery meant I arrived with a wallet full of crisp notes in different denominations - ideal for taxis, snacks, and sudden detours.

At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, I skipped the ATM line and headed straight for a matatu (shared minibus) bound for the city centre.

Handing the driver exact change in shillings felt like unlocking the first level of an epic safari game.

Nairobi’s rhythm: coffee, crafts, and matatus

My first few days were a whirl of colour and sound.

• Gikomba Market overflowed with vibrant kitenge fabrics and handmade jewellery. Bargaining is an art form here, and cash is the only language that matters.
• Tiny cafés served potent Kenyan coffee. Some proudly displayed “cash only” signs - no card readers to slow down the queue.
• Matatus zipped through traffic with painted superheroes on their sides. Each ride cost just a handful of coins and a quick smile.

By starting with cash, I moved with the city rather than against it.

Safari in the Maasai Mara: where cash is king

Next came the big adventure - a week-long safari in the Maasai Mara.

Out on the plains, the landscape stretched to forever, dotted with elephants and giraffes.

Here, cash was indispensable:

• Park entry fees often required on-the-spot payment.
• Local Maasai guides appreciated being paid directly in shillings.
• Remote campsites and roadside fruit sellers had no card machines or reliable internet.

Paying in person with Kenyan shillings created instant connections.

Guides shared stories about lion prides and Maasai traditions as we exchanged notes by lantern light.

Lake Naivasha and the art of slow travel

On the way back to Nairobi, I detoured to Lake Naivasha, famous for hippos and birdlife.

I hired a small wooden boat from a family business that had no interest in card payments.

Cash turned a simple boat ride into a conversation about fishing seasons, bird migration, and life along the Rift Valley lakes.

Lessons from a cash-first journey

Going cash-only in Kenya taught me more than I expected:

1. Budget like a pro – I set a daily shilling limit, which kept spending in check and made me appreciate every purchase.
2. Stay flexible – With cash in hand, I could hop on unplanned excursions or tip guides who went the extra mile.
3. Connect with people – Handing over shillings led to chats with everyone from coffee sellers to wildlife rangers.

It wasn’t just practical; it changed the pace of my trip.

Tips if you want to try it

If Kenya is calling, here’s what helped me:

• Order cash before you go – Airport exchange rates can be high and queues long.
• Mix denominations – Keep plenty of small notes and coins for matatus, tips, and snacks.
• Split your stash – Use a day wallet and keep a backup hidden in your luggage.

These small habits meant I never worried about payment, even in remote areas.

Why cash still matters in a mobile world

Kenya is famous for M-Pesa, the mobile payment system, and big hotels happily take cards.

But beyond major cities, connectivity can be patchy. Markets, local buses, and safari camps often rely on cash, not QR codes.

Travelling with shillings let me flow with the country’s rhythm.

I could buy grilled maize from a roadside vendor or hire a boat at dawn without worrying about signal strength or transaction fees.

A trip rich in memories, not receipts

On my last night, I treated myself to nyama choma - Kenya’s beloved grilled meat - at a bustling open-air restaurant.

I paid with the final notes from my wallet, no receipts required.

Watching Nairobi’s skyline glow under the stars, I felt the quiet satisfaction of a journey shaped by simple exchanges.