8 weeks to Zambia - List
Apr 7th, 2006, 07:23 AM
#41
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Hysterical dream!!! LOL
What I'm doing to try to consolidate all the packing tips I've read is cut and past the threads onto a single Word processing document. Then I can print it out, go through and highlight the things that are most pertinent, and make a nice packing/tip list for myself. Sort of time consuming, but better that forgetting something! Besides, it gives me something to do as I wait for the weather in my neck of the woods to clear up. Way too much rain and snow this year!!!!
What I'm doing to try to consolidate all the packing tips I've read is cut and past the threads onto a single Word processing document. Then I can print it out, go through and highlight the things that are most pertinent, and make a nice packing/tip list for myself. Sort of time consuming, but better that forgetting something! Besides, it gives me something to do as I wait for the weather in my neck of the woods to clear up. Way too much rain and snow this year!!!!
)
Apr 9th, 2006, 10:09 PM
#44
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what a great thread, i've picked up many helpful hints. I'll be in Zambia in August and was wondering if anyone could shed some light on tipping. Is it best to tip at the end of our stay at each camp or each day, and should this be done as one large tip for all the staff or just individuals. I know we should tip our guides but what about the chef etc. Thanks in advance.
Apr 10th, 2006, 06:14 AM
#45
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judochop,
It is customary to tip at the end of your stay. However, it is also good to ask staff if they will be around at the end of your stay, as some may be going on break for a few days and you may miss them.
Personally, I prefer to tip as many individuals as possible rather than group it altogether for the camp. However, realizing that I will still be missing some people, I also leave a tip for the camp, but I always try to tip the guide, tracker, manager, housekeeping staff, chef and security guards individually.
It is customary to tip at the end of your stay. However, it is also good to ask staff if they will be around at the end of your stay, as some may be going on break for a few days and you may miss them.
Personally, I prefer to tip as many individuals as possible rather than group it altogether for the camp. However, realizing that I will still be missing some people, I also leave a tip for the camp, but I always try to tip the guide, tracker, manager, housekeeping staff, chef and security guards individually.
Apr 10th, 2006, 02:29 PM
#46
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So Rocco - do you wait until the end of the stay and then tip those people privately or do you tip them daily? I think a lot of us newbies just want to do the right thing! Thanks!
And as a for the other stuff I can't remember what I was thinking about except one: emery boards. I would think they would come in very handy for men as well as women for the odd nail chip/snag.
And as a for the other stuff I can't remember what I was thinking about except one: emery boards. I would think they would come in very handy for men as well as women for the odd nail chip/snag.
Apr 10th, 2006, 05:37 PM
#47
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wait until the end of your stay, then put the tips in individual envelopes with their names on them. If you know a guide/spotter is leaving halfway through your stay, you can either tip him the last time with you, or leave him an envelope with the manager. You could put a short note in, thanking them for the experience. Then 1 envelope for the "staff" which is given to the managers who divide it up on payday. Not all staff is entitled to the "group" tip, so if someone does something special for you, you can give a tip directly to him/her. The security guards you can just pass them each a $5.00 or whatever on your last night at camp as you might not see them in the morning. I wouldn't leave money in the room as you do in a hotel in the U.S. as first come, first serve would come in play and the tip might not reach the intended maid.Rocco- tip the manager? I hadn't heard that or did I screw up?
Dennis
Apr 11th, 2006, 12:10 AM
#49
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Dennis,
Unless it is an owner managed lodge (Luangwa River Lodge, Tafika, Kaingo, Kafunta, for a few examples), I would recommend tipping the manager. Unfortunately, even managers are not really high paid, at least not at most places. Take a look at South Luangwa...I am guessing that 75% of their business takes place between July - October. For those four months the lodges may enjoy 65% occupancy, if they are lucky, but then for the majority of the year, they are probably at 25% occupancy, giving them an average annual occupancy of 35%.
By the time park fees are paid, marketing costs are covered, and then the real expenses of running a lodge are covered there just is not a lot left over for salaries.
Tipping, however, should be totally discretionary. For example, I tipped VERY heavily at one particular lodge (okay, you squeezed it out of me...it was Lake Manyara Tree Lodge...we really loved all the staff including the manager) but for the rest, I tipped more towards the guidelines. Also, I did not hold it against my MKSC guide for the problems with the vehicle...some things are just not within a guide's control.
For hotel stays, in my opinion, it is always nice to leave something for the housekeeping staff, but again, everyone should tip at their own discretion...I am just sharing my own practices because I was asked.
Unless it is an owner managed lodge (Luangwa River Lodge, Tafika, Kaingo, Kafunta, for a few examples), I would recommend tipping the manager. Unfortunately, even managers are not really high paid, at least not at most places. Take a look at South Luangwa...I am guessing that 75% of their business takes place between July - October. For those four months the lodges may enjoy 65% occupancy, if they are lucky, but then for the majority of the year, they are probably at 25% occupancy, giving them an average annual occupancy of 35%.
By the time park fees are paid, marketing costs are covered, and then the real expenses of running a lodge are covered there just is not a lot left over for salaries.
Tipping, however, should be totally discretionary. For example, I tipped VERY heavily at one particular lodge (okay, you squeezed it out of me...it was Lake Manyara Tree Lodge...we really loved all the staff including the manager) but for the rest, I tipped more towards the guidelines. Also, I did not hold it against my MKSC guide for the problems with the vehicle...some things are just not within a guide's control.
For hotel stays, in my opinion, it is always nice to leave something for the housekeeping staff, but again, everyone should tip at their own discretion...I am just sharing my own practices because I was asked.
Apr 11th, 2006, 08:09 AM
#51
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cooncat,
I tip at the end of the stay, but on the day before departure I will ask particular staff if they will be around the next morning.
When we still end up missing someone, we leave cash in an envelope, write a breakdown on how we want the tip distributed and also tell a couple other people that we left so much for this person or that person.
I tip at the end of the stay, but on the day before departure I will ask particular staff if they will be around the next morning.
When we still end up missing someone, we leave cash in an envelope, write a breakdown on how we want the tip distributed and also tell a couple other people that we left so much for this person or that person.
Apr 12th, 2006, 06:18 PM
#53
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Rocco,
How about Chiawa and Old Mondoro? Are they owner managed? I think Chiawa is, but don't know about Old Mondoro. Also, how about Kapamba? Would you tip the manager the same as a guide? At these camps as well as LRL, will the guide/driver also serve as the tracker or will there be 2 separate people?
Thanks for your help on this.
Only 5 weeks until we leave!!
How about Chiawa and Old Mondoro? Are they owner managed? I think Chiawa is, but don't know about Old Mondoro. Also, how about Kapamba? Would you tip the manager the same as a guide? At these camps as well as LRL, will the guide/driver also serve as the tracker or will there be 2 separate people?
Thanks for your help on this.
Only 5 weeks until we leave!!
Apr 12th, 2006, 06:55 PM
#56
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Chiawa is owner managed, with Grant and Lynsey Cumings usually onsite. Chiawa, for the unfamiliar, is the ORIGINAL operator in Lower Zambezi, and they toughed it out for the first decade and they are largely responsible for helping save the Lower Zambezi from irreparable damage by poachers, etc. Now, there are many other lodges, but a lot of these lodges are outside the national park, while Chiawa, Old Mondoro and Sausage Tree (as well as Kulefu) is within the park.
Old Mondoro is jointly owned by Sausage Tree Camp and Chiawa, so in a way you could consider it owner managed, although the actual managing couple are not owners, to the best of my knowledge.
I do not like to put a strict definition on who should be tipped what amount. While I will usually tip my guide more than the manager, there have been times when I have really liked the manager and tipped the manager or managing couple more than the guide.
Also, I never forget the chef and like to tip the chef separately from the staff tip. I always try to individualize the tips as much as possible so I have greater control on where my money goes (if only I had the same say on how my taxes were spent!). However, I also leave a nominal tip to the entire camp/lodge just in case I have overlooked anyone behind the scenes.
Old Mondoro is jointly owned by Sausage Tree Camp and Chiawa, so in a way you could consider it owner managed, although the actual managing couple are not owners, to the best of my knowledge.
I do not like to put a strict definition on who should be tipped what amount. While I will usually tip my guide more than the manager, there have been times when I have really liked the manager and tipped the manager or managing couple more than the guide.
Also, I never forget the chef and like to tip the chef separately from the staff tip. I always try to individualize the tips as much as possible so I have greater control on where my money goes (if only I had the same say on how my taxes were spent!). However, I also leave a nominal tip to the entire camp/lodge just in case I have overlooked anyone behind the scenes.
Apr 12th, 2006, 07:14 PM
#58
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Tigerpaw,
At Luangwa River Lodge, there will be a guide & tracker. I believe the same holds true for Chiawa, at least on the night game drives.
I am really excited for all of you going to South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi next month! You have NO IDEA what you are in for.
By the time mid-June rolls around and you are all flooding this board with trip reports and photographs, I may not be able to resist the temptation to return later this year, although currently it looks like I may go to Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana in November.
Also, for anybody visiting South Luangwa, I would highly endorse visiting the Chipembele Wildlife Trust. A day trip may be arranged with your lodge, and it is especially convenient from Puku Ridge.
http://www.chipembele.org/
Also, for those of you visiting Chiawa, a visit to Conseration Lower Zambezi's headquarters is worthwhile, and any donations will really benefit both the wildlife and the Zambian children who come and engage in multi-night visits and get to experience their very first exposure to wildlife by doing a daily game drive, as well as receiving AIDS prevention education.
It really is a great program that is offered at all of the organizations I mentioned, including anti-poaching operations.
I featured Zambian conservation in this photogallery, in case anybody is interested, and within this gallery are photos from Conservation Lower Zambezi, Chipembele Wildlife Trust and the South Luangwa Conservation Society. Within this photo album are also a couple photos of me cycling from the Mfuwe Airport into the town of Mfuwe, about halfway to South Luangwa, before donating two new bicycles I bought to the South Luangwa Conservation Society:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/rocco/zambian_conservation
At Luangwa River Lodge, there will be a guide & tracker. I believe the same holds true for Chiawa, at least on the night game drives.
I am really excited for all of you going to South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi next month! You have NO IDEA what you are in for.
By the time mid-June rolls around and you are all flooding this board with trip reports and photographs, I may not be able to resist the temptation to return later this year, although currently it looks like I may go to Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana in November.
Also, for anybody visiting South Luangwa, I would highly endorse visiting the Chipembele Wildlife Trust. A day trip may be arranged with your lodge, and it is especially convenient from Puku Ridge.
http://www.chipembele.org/
Also, for those of you visiting Chiawa, a visit to Conseration Lower Zambezi's headquarters is worthwhile, and any donations will really benefit both the wildlife and the Zambian children who come and engage in multi-night visits and get to experience their very first exposure to wildlife by doing a daily game drive, as well as receiving AIDS prevention education.
It really is a great program that is offered at all of the organizations I mentioned, including anti-poaching operations.
I featured Zambian conservation in this photogallery, in case anybody is interested, and within this gallery are photos from Conservation Lower Zambezi, Chipembele Wildlife Trust and the South Luangwa Conservation Society. Within this photo album are also a couple photos of me cycling from the Mfuwe Airport into the town of Mfuwe, about halfway to South Luangwa, before donating two new bicycles I bought to the South Luangwa Conservation Society:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/rocco/zambian_conservation
Apr 12th, 2006, 07:24 PM
#59
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I second Rocco's suggestion to visit Chipembele. It's an amazing experience and you'll get to meet their pet warthogs and "Lucky" the dog who survived a lion attack, snake attacks and gets sleeping sickness at least twice a year.
tigepaw,, the morning drives from LRL will just have the driver/guide. The night drives will have the driver/guide and a spotter. The walks will have a guide and ranger.
Dennis
tigepaw,
, the morning drives from LRL will just have the driver/guide. The night drives will have the driver/guide and a spotter. The walks will have a guide and ranger.Dennis
