Tipping in East Africa when on safari is considered customary, but not mandatory. It’s a way of showing your appreciation for the people who work to make your safari experience an unforgettable one.
In East Africa, many safari staff have to travel long distances to work, which is expensive. Some staff stay on the premises semi-permanently, which means spending long periods away from their families and homes. Most staff are supporting their extended families and don’t keep all the money they earn. Tipping helps the workers to earn a bit extra on top of their usual wages.
Safari guides and camp staff typically work long hours, getting up before dawn to organise early-morning tours and meals, and staying up long after the last guest has gone to bed. They take care of all the “unseen” chores that go into running a smooth operation – and many of them make an extra effort to ensure that their guests enjoy a special experience.
While we pay a fair wage, tipping allows our staff to put aside extra money and live more comfortably while supporting their families. Our staff go the extra mile to earn gratuities, and every contribution is greatly appreciated.
How Much To Tip
Your safari guide: between US$5 and US$15 per group per day (depending on group size).
Camp staff: between US$5 and US$10 per traveller per day.
It’s also customary to tip the drivers who transport you safely to and from camp, especially on longer road transfers like from Nairobi to Ol Pejeta Bush Camp. Generally, you should aim to tip around $2-$5 per transfer, depending on the length of your journey.
Who To Tip
Who to tip and when on a Tanzania safari
It’s important to know who would appreciate a tip on a safari, as there are many people working to make your travel a success. Consider:
Tipping guides : An exciting and successful safari depends mainly on your guide. For this reason, many lodges suggest tipping him/her separately, to ensure that they get a fair tip.
Tipping the ‘team’ of staff : A lot of people work behind the scenes to ensure that your trip is a success, including the chefs, the kitchen team, the maids and the housekeeping staff. To include all of these ‘back of house’ people, many camps have a ‘general staff tip box’, with the proceeds divided equally between the staff.
Do I tip the managers?
Some travellers ask if they should tip the camps managers. They are important, of course, but would you tip the owner of a restaurant? Generally, we don’t think so, and similarly, we wouldn’t usually recommend that you tip the manager. That said, there are exceptions to this rule, perhaps if you want to appreciate outstanding or extraordinary service.
This is an ideal way to cut down the costs as travelers in the group share the expenses on fuel, guides, etc. and at the same time share the experience with new friends.