Tipping Guidelines in East Africa
Ultimate tipping guidelines on East African safaris with Alba Wonders Africa. Safaris introduce you to a whole new World of history, culture, and diversity, and without a little background on the region you will be exploring (East Africa in this case), it can be challenging to know what is expected of you are a visitor. Tipping is one of those practices that is different all over the World, and it can be tricky trying to figure out guidelines and customs. our East African safari journey starts from the moment you begin traveling to your wild and phenomenal safari destination. It is comprised of all the breathtaking experiences you have, from the accommodations to the safari experiences you take part in. As you move from the seat of the 4X4 Safari vehicle to the dining room table, you will want to know what is expected when it comes to tipping guidelines in East Africa.
It is undeniable that understanding the ins and outs of tipping can be overwhelming for some travelers, but these East African tipping guidelines are here to help you figure it out.
Why you should tip during your East African safari
Tipping largely depends on local customs and personal expectations, and while it isn’t mandatory on an East African safari, it is voluntary and highly appreciated. This isn’t just part of safari formalities but also benefits local communities.
It will interest you to know that in the East African region, many workers who live in the remote regions or in the City have to travel long distances, especially when it comes to distant Safari destinations. As is conventional (and hoped for) in some cultures, employed family members usually support their unemployed relatives, hence challenging to save anything of what is earned.
Ordinarily, should their wages/salaries cover all these expenses? Much as Safari Lodges are required to pay fair wages, even the skilled ones, such as Park Rangers, might not earn much, especially when employed by the Government. The Park entry and activity fees you pay cover more than just their salaries but also go towards maintenance of destinations (including trails, infrastructure/roads, and others), security, concession fees (where required), and entertainment.
The question of whether to tip or not is up to you. If you choose to, only reward deserving service, and you shouldn’t feel compelled to do so. For instance, if the worker wasn’t professional or didn’t provide satisfactory service, you don’t have to tip.
Taking all things into consideration, you might not have an issue with giving a good and worthy tip in exchange for a big and grateful smile. It is advisable to tip on your East African safari because the staff go above and beyond, often remembering your preferences and making an extra effort to spot wildlife you wish to see, and working long hours.
Who to tip during your East African safari
- Restaurant and Bar staff
The exact amount to tip when eating out in East Africa differs depending on the occasion, venue, and portion size, but10% of the total bill should be the minimum gratuity.
Renowned restaurants and bars in popular safari destinations across the East African region, especially Cities and huge urban centers, will add a 10% service charge to the bill. If there isn’t one, it is advisable to leave a tip of approximately 10-15% if you are satisfied with the service and appreciate the deliciousness of your meal.
Leaving 10-15% of the total food bill is normal for good service and a nice meal in restaurants, as is rounding up your bill in Bars. Bar staff and wait staff across much of the East African region usually earn basic living wages, hence tipping them is an incredibly welcome thought. Additionally, it is only the permanent staff in some restaurants that receive a minimum wage in addition to their tips; hence, casual staff who work a few times a week may only work for tips.
- Accommodation (Safari Lodge, Camp, and Hotel) staff
In certain Safari destinations, Hotel concierges are formidable forces and are expected to be tipped between $2 and $5 at the start of your stay to ensure good service for your duration of stay. For Housekeeping staff, it is recommended to tip them in the local currency (equivalent of $2 and $5), while porters should be tipped $2 to $3 per bag.
For Luxury Safari Lodges, you will often be provided a general tipping box at the front desk, and any amount placed into this box will be spread evenly, even among other Camp staff such as kitchen staff, cleaners, and others. However, if you wish to tip a particular member of staff specifically, you can hand it to them in person.
- Safari guides and Rangers
Safari guides can make or break a safari experience when exploring the beautiful East African region. Luckily, East African safari guides have a wonderful reputation, and whether you are taking a multi-day or private safari, a 10% tip is widely acceptable.
If you are exploring the East African region for its world-class wildlife safaris, game drives are made all the more special by the expert guidance of Park Rangers as well as the service of staff members at the accommodation facility (Lodge or Camp).
For instance, Ranger guides leading Gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda and Uganda will ensure that you are safe on these adventures, point out the elusive wildlife species encountered along the way, and blow your mind with their tracking skills, as well as their overall local knowledge. It will interest you to know that Park Rangers usually rotate and should be tipped separately. Giving them (trackers and Guides) each a tip of $5 is a respectable way to say thank you for their services.
For the safari guide, you can tip $5 to $10 per person per day, and this should be given as a cumulative amount at the end of the East African safari.
- Porter/s
During gorilla trekking and other invigorating activities such as mountain climbing and forest walks, you will need to hire a porter to carry your backpack and provide support while hiking, and it is also recommended to tip if you are satisfied with the service. For this reason, a tip of $5 to %10 per person is nice.
Other people you should expect to tip during your East African safari include Airport transfer driver (10% of the total fare for long drives), petrol attendant/s ($1 to $3), and community group entertainers, among others.
