Tipping in Africa
Safari tour guides and service assistants deserve generous tips for their dedication, effort, and care in helping your vacation go smoothly.
Who to Tip in an African Safari
Safari Guides
Tipping your guide is customary across all safari destinations in East Africa. You’ll spend most of your safari time with your tour guide. You usually give safari guide tips in an envelope or by hand at the end of your stay.
Camp & Lodge Staff
A full team of housekeepers, chefs, bartenders, waitstaff, laundry attendants, and maintenance crew makes up the camp & lodge staff. You can leave generous customary tips for the camp manager.
Safari Tipping Guidelines
Trackers and rangers guide you through mountain forests and animal tracking expeditions. Customary tips for trackers and rangers are usually given in an envelope or by hand at the end of your stay.
Safari Tipping Guidelines
Typical Safari Tipping ranges between USD$5 and USD$20 per person per day
Wildlife Safari Tipping
Tanzania Tips
Know what you'll tip in Tanzania
- Driver-guide: roughly $15-25 daily
- Cook on mobile safaris: $8-10 daily
- Camp staff: shared tip box
- Tip per group, not per person
- Porters and trekking crew tipped separately
- Hand over tips on final day
Wildlife Safari Tipping
Kenya Tips
Know what you'll tip in Kenya
- Driver-guide: roughly $10-20 daily
- Lodge staff: pooled tip box
- Spotters and trackers: small extra tips
- Airport and hotel porters: $1-2
- Carry small notes for convenience
- Tip at the end of the stay
Wildlife Safari Tipping
Botswana Tips
Know what you'll tip in Botswana
- 5 to 6 days on a gentle, steady trek trail
- The only route with mountain hut stays
- Typical cost: $1,900 – $2,800 per person
Things to Consider
Tip guides, trackers, and camp staff separately
Carry small notes for easy tipping
Use USD, euros, pounds, or local currency
Tip per group, not per person
Use tip boxes for pooled camp staff
Give cash directly, in a sealed envelope
Ask your operator for tipping guidelines
Don’t Forget to Consider
Small Denominations
US$1, US$5, and US$10 bills are far more practical than large notes and easier to handle.
Local Currencies in Tips
Local currencies are also accepted and often appreciated, particularly for small tips.
Cash Preferred Over Cards
Cash is preferred over cards in remote camps where tips are a concern and cash is easier to handle.
Tipping in Africa
Frequently Asked Questions
Guide and driver tips are usually given per group (per vehicle) per day, while some camps suggest per person amounts for staff. Confirm which applies with your operator.
Mobile payments are allowed and widely used for pre-booking safari operators or minor town expenses in East Africa. Still, they are generally not accepted inside remote safari camps or national park reserves.
No, tips are not included in the package price. They are customary and expected as a sign of gratitude. You can give whatever you prefer as a thank-you for the service, commitment, and care the staff and experts will provide.
Prefer not to, because not everyone may be comfortable accepting gifts, and old clothing can seem like neglect or dismissal. Offer only cash as a sign of gratitude.
Typically, all safari tours and services are one-of-a-kind, and all staff take immense care to provide tourists with the best experience. You can always share your personal views with us, camp managers, lodge managers, and tour guides, and we'll ensure you remain happy, healthy, and comfortable on your visit to Africa.
