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....

$10 pppd is quite enough. Different economy than home.

Okay...thank you so much...

$10/pp/pd is fine.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

It will be just me and my sister....thanks for all these responses...

Prefer to tip USD $1 new crisp

10-15% of cost of trip for excellent service

they know there to change for lots more...

>> "prefer to tip USD $1 new crisp!" <<

@ $10/day/person x 10/days = $100 - in USD$1 notes? Don't think so!

Use the $20s, 10s & 5s, or even $50s which tips are paid at conclusion of the service.

>> "10%-15% of cost of trip"<<

Assume $5K for trip (per person), that's $500 - $750 in tips? To whom? Guide/s, tracker/s, lodge/camp staff, other? That's very very generous.

... and I'm a very good tipper.

Elizabeth - use your good judgement.

To butt in on Elizabeth's very timely question, is there any preference for US $ vs local currency?

Thanks all! :)

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.

Iowa, I read that they take US dollars.

<i>"pay what you can afford over the suggested amount. I think people in countries not as lucky as ours need it."</i>

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.

<<<I read that they take US dollars.>>>

Do you know if there's a <i>preference</i> 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.

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!

"boo-hoo-hoo"

Yikes.

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.