Navigating "Tips" on your African Safari

The topic of Tipping or Gratuities is a hot button debate for anyone coming on Safari - so we decided to debunk the mystery surrounding gratuities and give insight into our thoughts on the matter.

The definition of a gratuity is "a gift of money, over and above payment due for service" and this should be at the forefront of your mind when you are considering your gratuities breakdown for lodge and hotel staff, guides, trackers, drivers etc. Has the employee gone over and above your expectations to receive a gift of money over and above payment.

Now all staff employed in the tourism sector receive a basic salary, however many of them rely on their tips or gratuities to supplement their income. A Study in 2020 revealed that every staff member employed at a lodge in South Africa was supporting 8-10 additional people at home, with this in mind, gratuities are always welcomed, but never expected.

Who Should you Tip ?

You should tip any staff member that has contributed positively towards your safari experience. Most Lodges and Hotels have a communal tip box, where all tips are distributed amongst all the General Staff - so housekeepers, kitchen staff, maintenance, groundsmen, night porters etc - all the unsung heros that you may not necessarily see during your stay, but play a vital role in the smooth running and operation of the establishment.

Depending on your stay, you should budget approximately US$10 - $20 per person per day of your stay at a lodge for the communal tip box.

Your Guide and Tracker Team (some lodges only make use of Guides) probably spend the most time with you, they also go out of their way to ensure your safety and that you are able to view the wildlife that you have come so far to see.

We recommend budgeting around US$15 - $20 per person in your travelling party per day, for each. Many Safari Operators will advise you to tip your tracker slightly less, however we feel this practice is outdated. If the lodge makes use of both a Guide and a Tracker, they are a team, and they work equally hard to ensure you have a great safari experience. Also - don't be that guy that tells your guide and tracker the more they show you the bigger their tip will be. This creates an expectation that may be damaging to the wildlife and the pristine wilderness area you are visiting.

City based tour Guides are experts at navigating the Urban Jungle, our guides are absolute legends at avoiding queues, and giving you the insider access that gives you an unparalleled experience. Whether it is in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nairobi or Arusha, these guides are worth their weight in gold. Our recommendation for city based guides is US$15 - $20 per person in your travelling party per day.

Polers and Boat Captains

In Botswana you will also encounter Polers and Boat Captains - Polers are the superstars that navigate the intricate waterways of the Okavango Delta on the back of a Mekoro with nothing more than a long pole. They ensure that you avoid the pods of hippos, and get you up close and personal with the wildlife at eye-level on the water. Our recommendation here is US$5 - $10 per person per day.

Transfer Drivers also pay a vital role in ensuring you are moved from point A to point B safely and on time. They are great orators who can give you valuable insight into the country you are visiting, as they spend a lot of time on the ground engaging with people from all walks of life. We recommend US$5 per person per transfer. You may have more than one transfer driver during your journey so it is generally best to tip them after each transfer.

Private Specialist Guides if you are travelling on a Privately Guided Journey with a Private Specialist Guide, you know that they add immense value to your journey. A private specialist guide has a wealth of knowledge of a number of different countries and regions, and has invested an immense amount of time and money in becoming a specialist guide. The expertise that they offer is woven like a golden thread throughout your journey building on each experience as you progress. While a Private Specialist Guide does get paid a daily guide fee they do appreciate a gratuity for their hard work and expertise. We recommend a range of US$40-$60 per person per day.

Group Journeys add an extra dimension to the tipping dilemma. Many people feel awkward handing out individual envelopes to staff, so if you are on a group Journey it may be an idea for everyone to pool their tips together and hand it over as a group.

A Few more "Tips"

• Never feel obligated to Tip. This is entirely at your discretion and should never be forced. If you are ever in the situation where you feel uncomfortable about tipping, reach out to one of our Journey Experts to guide you. Sadly there have been stories about staff at lodges soliciting tips - this is never ok, and will be dealt with in the strongest manner possible, but we need to be made aware of this.
• You can leave your gratuity with the Camp Managers should you not wish to hand it to staff directly - they will ensure that it goes to the right place.
• If you are tipping in US$ try to have notes that are not older than 2013, many banks across the African Continent do not accept older currency notes. If notes are damaged or worn, they may also not accept them. We suggest working out your tips prior to departure and asking your local bank for new unblemished notes.
• Do not try to tip border officials - generally this is not an issue - but like anywhere in the world, there are a few rotten eggs that try their luck.
• Each lodge and hotel will have an information folder in the room, with their tipping guidelines, this varies from country to country and even region to region, the important thing to remember that there are only guidelines and you should never feel pressured to tip more than you can afford.

A Tip is a reward for excellent service, attention to detail and for people that have added value to your journey. You should never feel hassled into tipping or hustled into tipping. It is however important to know, no matter the amount you leave for the people that you encounter on your Journey, it is always greatly appreciated, and in the wildlife regions where these incredible people work, it makes a real difference to them, and their families.

If you have any further questions reach out to us, we would love to discuss them with you!

Happiness!