Tipping should be for providing a service over and above the norm. We have tipped between $500 for an excellent guide (15 days) to $1 for absolutely useless guides. It would be more useful if the operators paid a decent wage, but that we are afraid is highly unlikely. In fact most of the camps that are "doubling" their rates seem to be loosing their experienced (good) staff at a frantic rate.

I hope no one really takes anything safarichuck says as true or serious.

He is simply a big liar and anyone reading his BS should double check anything he ever states.
Why not look up my posts on tips and see for yourself if I really said "need not tip".

It's a SHAME such a coward like safarichuck can state these things and no one ever reveals him for the liar he is.

He has some mental problems to resolve, either on a psychological level or just a big problem in understanding sentence structure, and those should not have to be taken out on others.

He also seems to feel inferior to me since I commit my whole life to saving nature and wildlife and therefore live with very limited means.

I'm betting his job is a well payed job. Giving away money, be it by tipping or sending to some organization, is just a simple way of appeasing yourself and excusing your way of living instead of doing the job yourself, like me, and sacrificing societary status and materialistic needs.

I think we've had this question before...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35023115

Enough, already! You tip according to the local custom of the place you are visiting, not according to where you live or what your personal preference is. If you disagree with that, why go? If you go to a hotel in a foreign country and refuse to pay the going rate because "that's not what they charge where I live," that would be foolish. Tipping is the same.

When we were at the Serena at the crater we overheard a gentleman state that they did not need to tip as it was included in the rates at the lodge. Later I was looking at the guest services booklet in the room and it states that a gratuity is included in the rate; but it is only five percent and that is split among all lodge employees. To be 5% is not much, especially split among all lodge staff. So, tip your guide but also remember the lodge/camp staff.

Bob

Bobcaat -

It's very possible the tip for lodge staff is included at the Serena properties - if you book direct. And 5% of $250/day/person = $12.50... isn't shabby. Of course, if a couple then $25/day... very good.

That said, though, if working thru a tour operator/outfitter, where most get special (lower) rates, this "tip" item may not be included.

A point to consider.

Philbill,
I wanted to clarify about my question on "tipping more if you travel alone." I always tip the staff in addition to the guides, and unless I get bad service I always tip more than the recommended amount. My question really is whether I should pay twice the recommended pp daily rate because I'm by myself? I've always grappled with what is fair. As a lone traveler I recognize that I'm taking up the space of an additional guest. In a small camp, with say 5 tents and a maximum of 10 guests, that is a possible 10% loss of income. In other words, if I were not there and the more typical two people in a tent were, tip potential would be higher. What do other lone travelers do?

good tip

Hi Dana,

I do agree about providing a good tip for housekeeping staff etc etc., but, bear in mind that we also pay a fat single supplement charge ..... so, don't feel bad that one person takes the space of two ...... my suggestion would be, tip generously for good service! but, not specifically because you are a solo traveller.

Hari

Some countries like Australia and New Zealand do not have a culture of tipping. When we travelled there guides were really surprized that we tipped and some even declined to accept.Some cruiselines when plying those waters charge tips in advance to be sure their staff receive them!

Re: i person travel. Sometimes I do tip as if I were 2 people and others I don't. I think it depends on the nature of the relationship and the person's job duties. Generally, I don't tip the housekeeping staff more b/c I am single. They won't have more work b/c I'm single and in some cases, the amount of work is less.

If it's a guide for a solo traveler, I probably will b/c the guide may be forgoing more lucrative work. And they usually work a little harder with a solo traveler. With a small group of people (5 or 6, say)the group usually talks among themselves and doesn't require constant attention. With a solo traveler the guide is always on. He will eat with you and will be otherwise responsible for conversation and entertainment.

Re: Tipping. Much to my surprise, I found that Egyptians like Americans a great deal. I always thought that we were "the ugly americans." Egyptians have explained to me that we tip well and we treat people better, as a rule. That is, we treat people as though they are people.