CarrieT

I'm headed to Tanzania next week (It seems unreal to say that out loud!) and I just bought a t-shirt to give to my guide. Don't ask me how I'm going to fit it in my suitcase when I've left my own clothes out to cut down on weight!

But I really wanted to give my guide something in addition to a tip. I work at a University here and got him a t-shirt with the University logo. I have a question about sizing. Do you think XL is good or should I have gone with Large? It was a toss-up and I picked the XL. I can exchange if necessary...

divine54

carrie,
of course you know your guide is not a massai. do you?

regarding the size:
depending on whether a massai or white guy.

a massai might not wear a t-shirt at all if he is much into traditional clothing. but he might have a friend in town who likes to wear it.

if it's a white guy then XL could fit.

we always carry gifts for our guides - besides the usual cash. we take knifes, camping cutlery, head lamps with solar battery equipment, manicure sets (for spouses), hats, gloves, binoculars.
we pack according to number of destinations.

div

CarrieT

I had heard that t-shirts were good gifts. If you really don't think the guide will wear it, then I won't bother. And I have no idea about white guide vs. Massai guide....I'm going with Good Earth and don't know much about their guides.

Patty

I think a t-shirt would be fine. I see guides wearing them all the time.

atravelynn

X-large T-shirt is a nice idea! Have a wonderful trip.

MyDogKyle

I agree with Patty. A t-shirt or baseball cap or something wearable is easy to pack and useful, and if it doesn't fit the guide I'm sure he can find someone who will be able to use it.

CarrieT

Thank you everyone. I'll stick with the t-shirt (in the XL since I think it's best to be too big than too small).

I think that was my last question before I leave. I've certainly obtained a wealth of information from all your posts and I feel very ready for my first trip to Tanzania thanks to you all!

Treepol

Hi Carrie,

I took novelty microfibre cloths as these are good for cleaning sunglasses.

They were small and light and I included them in the envelope with the tip.

Cheers,

Pol

astein12

We had a great guide when we were in Kenya. So, in addition to a cash tip, we gave him a number of items that we had brought along. This included a baseball cap, a t-shirt, and some AA batteries. The oddest item, though, was a 2 lb. bag of split peas. I carry them on some trips to use as a true 'beanbag' to support my camera in places where I can use a trip (like on the window ledge of a Land Rover). He was very interested in them and was going to take them home to his wife.

We also asked him if there was something that he had trouble getting for his kids (two small daughters). He was from a small village in the rift valley and he said that children's books were very difficult to come by.

When we returned to the US, we sent him a care package that contained a number of books (Dr. Suess and Charlotte's Web were two that I remember) along with a couple of bags of hard candy for this kids. He was also absolutely tremendous at spotting and identifying birds, so we sent him a nice hardback North American birding guide so that he could compare species.

We ended up sending the package to him care of the tour company in Nairobi. We were a bit worried about it getting there, but figured it was worth the risk. After a while, we sort of forgot about it... but after about 6 months (it took that long to reach him and for his letter to reach us), we got a really nice handwritted letter in the mail... his descriptions of the excitement that his kids showed was worth the wait. The letter has a permanent place in our Kenya album.

As it turns out, one of the British couples that we toured with (who we still keep in touch with after 10 years) sent him a similar package. He was that good and deserved all of the praise and tips that we could come up with.

mpkp

I think the microfiber cloths are a good idea as they are lightweight and small to carry and convenient. Thanks!

Jambo85

We traveled with Good Earth Tours, guides very good. T-shirts good idea and size large would be o.k. They are not fat like Americans. Enjoy, Tanzania is my favorite country.

Travelling_greg

We just returned from Kenya/Tanzania (yest a Trip Report is coming...), and were most impressed with our guides. In addition to our tips, we gave caps / shirts, and First Aid kits, to our guides. They seemed most appreciative.