Tipping is a sensitive issue, but there is no need to feel embarrassed. It’s a normal part of a service industry, as it is in restaurants in many countries. Just remember that relatively affluent visitors can have a big impact on the local economy: tipping does influence the economic and social balance – so keep that in mind when you tip the staff during your safari

Most camps and safari lodges have a ‘tip box’, and often their own tipping policy. Sometimes the ‘tip box’ will be for all the staff; sometimes it’ll be for the staff excluding the guides; occasionally it’ll be arranged differently.

Tipping is an essential part of the Egyptian economy, and it is a way to supplement the low wages that many service workers receive. In many cases, tips can make up a significant portion of a worker’s income. As a tourist, you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of those who provide you with services by tipping generously.

Moreover, tipping is also a way to build relationships and establish trust with locals. By showing appreciation for their services, you are more likely to receive better treatment and service in return.

The normal practice is to tip in cash, and as US Dollars are currently Zimbabwe’s official currency this is the best currency to tip in. However, UK Sterling, Euros and Rand will also be happily accepted.

When to tip

Occasionally we get asked when is the right time to give the tips. There are a few options:

After each activity
At the end of each day
At the end of your stay

General rule of thumb: just tip once, always at the end of your stay at each safari camp or lodge. Not at the end of each activity, or each day.

Guides wouldn’t expect you to tip after each of the daily activities, as it could create the impression that the guides need to ‘perform’ for the person giving the tips, which can distort the relationship between them and the other guests. Imagine the position other guests might find themselves in should you be offering tips this frequently and they were not.

How much to tip

Tipping in Zimbabwe is not compulsory but always appreciated, and the amount will always depend on your own opinion and personal satisfaction. Based on our own experiences, and discussion with camp managers, we would suggest the following amounts as a rough guide:

• US$10-20 per guest per day for a group guide
• US$20-40 per guest per day for a private guide
• US$10-20 per guest per day for general staff

To put these suggestions in perspective, bear in mind that the Gross National Income (GNI) in Zimbabwe is about US$5.26 per person per day.

It’s much more common to tip with cash, with the preferred currency in Botswana being Botswana pula or, failing that, US dollars, South African rands, or even euros or GB pounds.

When to tip

We’re sometimes asked about when to give tips, and it’s an important question. The options are:

After each activity
At the end of each day
At the end of your stay

The answer is very clear: always tip just once, and always at the end of your stay at each safari lodge or camp.

Guides don’t expect a tip after each activity, and tipping this way would pressurise the guide to ‘perform’ for the guest who is tipping – whilst probably distorting the relationship between him/her and the guests as a whole. It would certainly put your fellow guests in a very difficult position if you were offering tips this frequently, and they were not.

How much to tip

Bear in mind that all we can offer here is guidance from our experience in Botswana. In the end, tipping depends on your personal opinion and your individual satisfaction – moderated by some understanding of the issues mentioned above.

Given that, we’d recommend that for good service, our travellers tip around:

• US$10 per guest per day for a group guide
• US$20 per guest per day for a private guide
• US$5 per guest per day for mokoro polers, trackers or a butler
• US$5 per guest per day for the general staff

To put these suggestions in perspective, bear in mind that the Gross National Income (GNI) is about US$17.84 per person per day in Botswana. This is a reflection of the average income of Botswana’s citizens.

It’s most common to tip in cash, ideally Tanzanian shillings or US dollars. Although some camps offer the option to tip by credit card, this depends on their accounting practices and their ability to process cards. Tipping by card isn’t the norm in Tanzania, and it can make it difficult to direct your tips to specific members of staff.

When to tip

Another frequently asked question is the best time to give tips. There are three options:

After each activity
At the end of each day
At the end of your stay

Best practice is always to tip just once, and always at the end of your stay at each safari lodge or camp.

How much to tip

The amounts we suggest here are just guidelines based on our experience of safaris in Tanzania. Tipping is a matter of personal opinion and individual satisfaction – moderated by some understanding of the issues mentioned above.

Given that, we’d recommend that for good service, our travellers tip around:

• US$8–10 per guest per day for a group guide
• US$8–10 per guest per day for a private guide
• US$8–10 per guest per day for the hotel or safari camp, which is then distributed amongst camp staff (excluding safari guides)
• US$3–5 per city transfer

In reference to the impact on the economy, note that the gross national income (GNI) in Tanzania is about US$2.49 per person per day. This is a reflection of the average income of Tanzania’s citizens.