tipping on safari
 

I know this has been discussed before but the new format makes it very difficult to find.

We are going to Rattrays MalaMala this week and although we have been before we have forgotten the going rate in tips for the rangers and trackers (if there are any). Can anyone give us a ballpark figure.

Also does anyone know whether the trackers strike is over yet?

Thanks

Barb

Here's one thread on tipping in South Africa from 2007. It may be helpful, though more recent visitors can give you more up-to-date information.

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...---tipping.cfm

I found that somewhere in the net and copied it. It's still valid.......a guideline:

Tipping in Africa


How much should I tip my guide?
Gratuities should only be given if you are well satisfied with the service and experience that you have received. Do not feel compelled to tip. Any currency is acceptable but please note that local banks do not change foreign coins. Most safari lodges accept Master and Visa credit cards for gratuities. Generally the guides and trackers are tipped separately and the rest of the staff participate in a pool. The camp manager will accept the tips on behalf of the staff and will distribute the tips among the staff if required. If you feel a particular staff member was particularly deserving then feel free to give specific instructions. The following suggested amounts are to be used as a guideline only. Feel free to use your own discretion.
Safari lodge guides: Approximately US$5 per guest per day for travel to Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe and R50 per guest per day for visitors to Namibia and South Africa.
The General Safari Camp / Lodge Staff :Aprox.US$3 per guest per day for safari camps in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe and R30 per guest per day for safari camps in Namibia and South Africa. This should be placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff at a later stage
Hotel Staff: US$1 per guest per day for hotel staff /housekeeping
Porterage:US$1 per person per movement.
Transfer and Touring Driver/guides: Transfer US$2 per person/ Half day tour US$4 per person/ Full day tour US$10 per person
Blue Train and Rovos Rail: Cabin attendant US$20 per person per journey. Waiter, Dining Car US$12 per person per journey
Restaurants / Hotels:10% of total bill is customary on meal accounts in South Africa, but only if you are satisfied with the service.


SV

However well meaning, I find those guidelines to be very, very, extremely low. These people work very hard to please the guest (read you and me) and deserve much more. Especially since some people don't tip at all!!!!

I figure minimum USD per person per day for tips:
$10 per guide/driver
$10 for the camp staff/sharing
$5.00 for the tracker, mokoro poler, hotel staff/transfers/whoever does something extra for you that day
In addition to:
$10.00 for the chef if on a mobile safari
$10.00 for the escort if you have one (Micato, A&K or Tauck)

These are minimum guidelines; tip more if you get superb service; they will remember you next time. <):)

I'm 100% with safarimama on her suggested tipping guidelines. Those suggested by SV are rediculous. We generally tip $30 per person, per night for safari guides in Botswana. We usue privated vehicles and have alsways felt they deserved that tip. Indeed, all of our other amounts were closer to safarimama's suggestion than to that of the first (SV) poster. Be generous, these people work hard and they support extended families. Once you return home the extra you left behind will make you feel far better about yourself and your safari then a few extra dollars or euros in the bank.
Ted

Maybe the definition of "tip"/gratuity should be replaced by "wage". If that's the case Temba's 30US might be right. But then camp(lodge owners should state clearly that the tips are the only source of income for these guys.

As long as people gate wages I consider a tip a gratuity which should be seen as such.

As a paying guest of a camp I am far away from feeling responsible for their income.

These guides/trackers/staff work for 6 weeks in a row and assume in the earlier days they had 2 - 4 guests in the vehicle based on 30$pppd makes 2520$ having a couple and 5040 for 2 couples for the guide.

IF i had a money tree in the garden I would not even dream of spoiling the people over there in that manner.

Sorry - if anyone pays 30$pppd it's F A R over the top and in no way appropriate!

SV

Safarimama
I should add: We never ever make a difference between guide and tracker.
These guys work as a team and therefore we tip equally.

Chef when mobile is okay!

But we found a "tipping guideline" at Sausage Tree camp/LZ
which indicated 10$pppd for the chef.
Of course we did not consider it - not for a second. Ifone starts tipping the chef as well - where is it goiing to end? The waiter?

Just my 2 cents.

SV

I agree with safarimama's guidelines for a MINIMUM tip. Thanks for posting that.

spassflugel, perhaps you should stay in Germany?
This topic has been hashed and rehashed for years on Fodors. Your suggestions are plain foolish. Try going for one less day and tipping these people a resonable amount.
Ted

spassbaby, Are you sure you don't get paid by the post?
T

Another voice in agreement with safarimama.

As a solo traveler often, I allocate $30/day towards gratuities
- $10-15/day guide/driver
- $5-7/day tracker (if there is one)
- $5-7/day camp/lodge staff (porters, housekeeping, kitchen staff, waiters, etc.


When as a couple, guide/driver might get $25 from both of us; similar down the line for others

At times, whether solo or with another have given more or less depending on service.

Will give individual tips if someone goes out of their way to assist however.

At city hotels, $1-2/nt housekeeping; $1-2/bag to porters/bellpersons everytime they lift a bag; restaurants 10-15% if not included; $3-5/per transfer driver.

Glad you asked Barbroy. Safarimama and Sandi- Thanks for the clarity of your posts.

Yes, I stand by my suggestions above. I forgot to mention that these guidelines are for people sharing a vehicle with others. If you're alone or a couple alone, tip 150% or even double as per Sandi's guidelines.
I do stand by this and I believe it to be a fair tip (not over the top) for a job well done.