Tipping?

Old Nov 28th, 2011, 05:28 AM
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Tipping?

I am wondering what to tip my driver/guide for my upcoming trip to Kenya/Ithumba/Voi? I am reading in the travel books $10.00 a day per person but that seems so little. Was wondering how much....thank you....
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Old Nov 28th, 2011, 05:51 AM
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$10 pppd is quite enough. Different economy than home.
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Old Nov 28th, 2011, 06:05 AM
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Okay...thank you so much...
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Old Nov 28th, 2011, 06:56 AM
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$10/pp/pd is fine.
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Old Nov 28th, 2011, 07:41 AM
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If you don't feel $10 is enough, give more. I give $20 to guide, $10 to tracker and $5 to housekeeping in S Africa. I budget 10% for tips. You can always make a donation when you get home to orgs that might help the area you visited.
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Old Nov 28th, 2011, 11:24 AM
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Doubt OP will have a tracker. You can always tip more, depending on service, but don't feel as a solo traveler you have to make up for if another were traveling with you; and don't forget about lodge/camp staff where $5/day/person is the going rate.
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Old Nov 28th, 2011, 12:12 PM
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Then there is always the question whether leaving tip on your credit card (at camp office) is acceptable. (I've done it both ways, credit card or cash).

regards - tom
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Old Nov 28th, 2011, 01:06 PM
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Cary, that only applies if the driver/guide works for the camp or lodge. I've heard of at least one instnace where a passenger had a private d/g for a week but "tipped" him every time he settled a bill! Go figure.
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Old Nov 28th, 2011, 01:51 PM
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If you are part of a group $10/pp/pd is fine. If you are alone, you could consider giving more. For the housekeeping and other staff, usually there is a tip box. Have a good trip.
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Old Nov 29th, 2011, 12:19 PM
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It will be just me and my sister....thanks for all these responses...
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Old Nov 30th, 2011, 01:00 AM
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Prefer to tip USD $1 new crisp

10-15% of cost of trip for excellent service

they know there to change for lots more...
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Old Nov 30th, 2011, 07:14 AM
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>> "prefer to tip USD $1 new crisp!" > "10%-15% of cost of trip"
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Old Nov 30th, 2011, 08:10 AM
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To butt in on Elizabeth's very timely question, is there any preference for US $ vs local currency?

Thanks all!
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Old Dec 1st, 2011, 11:13 PM
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Can I pipe in and say that whatever society in Kenya says to pay, pay what you can afford over the suggested amount. I think people in countries not as lucky as ours need it.
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Old Dec 2nd, 2011, 02:10 AM
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Iowa, I read that they take US dollars.
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Old Dec 2nd, 2011, 10:02 AM
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"pay what you can afford over the suggested amount. I think people in countries not as lucky as ours need it."

Not to discount this completely, but know that we visitors to so-called third-world countries are not responsible for paying the salaries of our guides and others. While many of us from Western countries might feel that the pay scales in these countries are not what we'd expect at home, if too many visitors overtip, it can become 'expected.'

You just need a few people to tip $50/day/couple, word gets around and others expect to be so fortunate. It happens.

Even the comments by visitors telling how their guide brings up the subject of salary, need for childrens food or clothes for school... boo-hoo-hoo!

Yes, tip... but use the guidelines and always at your discretion based on service received.
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Old Dec 2nd, 2011, 12:55 PM
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>>

Do you know if there's a preference though?

I usually tip in the local currency, but I know in some countries they actually prefer US $. I wasn't planning on taking US $ but can if the guides/drivers/lodging staff would prefer that currency.
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Old Dec 2nd, 2011, 01:35 PM
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I think people prefer US currency because it is not subject to as much inflation as local currencies. I suppose it depends on the local economy. And as MissGreen said, if you feel you can tip more and they did a good job then by all means do so. They defintely won't be wasting it on McDonald's and Xboxes.

Enjoy your trip!
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Old Dec 2nd, 2011, 05:38 PM
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"boo-hoo-hoo"

Yikes.
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Old Dec 4th, 2011, 04:28 AM
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Thank you for all of these responses. This is a trip all planned by me (no package tour thingy)...it is just the driver/guide down to Ithumba I was asking about. I will be going down to ithumba...staying 3 days.....back and forth (of, course!!) to the stockade to see my foster ellies. Then over to Voi for 2 days (again, back and forth to the stockade to see my Dida) and then back up to Nairobi.
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