Whom do you tip , when and how much?
 

I plan to go on Micato's Heart of Kenya and Tanzania trip, followed by their Zanzibar extension.
I have no clue as to whom to tip or when to tip or how much (since it's not a PERCENTAGE of anything) - also - don't know what currency. I am American but I usually have euros too as I am in France frequently. And what else might I need cash for - other than souvenirs? I am travelling solo and can't carry much, so can't bring gifts, etc.Thanks, everyone.
Jess

tip the guide and or driver, spotter/tracker (if you have one),the camp staff and anyone else you feel deserve it. this is all done at the end of the time spent with them. there are no rules, but I think the recommended tips are guides-$10+ pp/pd, spotters less and the camp staff around $5.00 a day. If they do an outstanding job, give them more, a couple of dollars to you is probably nothing, to them it's a lot. If they do poorly, then tip accordingly. Never been to Kenya/Tanz so don't know what they like to be paid in, but when you arrive you can exchange money into the local currency. Have a great trip! Micato gets some pretty good reviews here.

To add to what Dennis said...tip the guide and tracker directly to them. Most camps will have a common tip box for the staff tip.....however, if you feel someone deserves something extra and direct feel free to do so!

On a Micato, A&K or Tauck tour where you have an escort, you're also expected to tip that person the same or more per day as you tip your guide depending on how much you feel he's worth to you. Tips add up, so figure at least $30-50 per person per day. I always tip in US$ and it's never been a problem. BUT make sure you take only new bills with no tears or wrinkles printed after 2000.

Again, I will add what is printed/posted at the bottom of Roy Safaris Itinerary:

General tipping guideline: Driver/guide US $10.00 from the group per day.

But, you do what you want.

Micato or other tour operators should provide you with a suggested "Tipping Guide" as well, many of the camps/lodges have a suggested guideline in their Guest Information packet. These guidelines can actually be too low or too high... really, as I've seen some wild figures.

A search on this board will bring up many many threads on this subject, but generally comes down to:
- Guides, $10-$15/person/day
- Trackers, if you have - $5/person/day
- Driver, if have separate - $5/person/day
- Camp/Lodge Staff - $5-$7/day couple (or $5/person if solo traveler)

Staff, includes porters, housekeeping, waiters, chef and will be distributed by management accordingly.

You can budget $25-$30/day person.

Of course, if someone extends themself, feel free to trip them directly.

Tipping is at the conclusion of the service, so guide/driver when they drop you at airport, airstrip or back at your city hotel.

USD are widely accepted, but if you have local currency, you should use before leaving the country as this is not reconvertible to USD when departing the country. These can be left at Staff Tips.

As mentioned above, bills should be relatively new, but don't have to be freshly minted. Those bills with larger faces and the tri-colored $20s or tanshaded $10. And, the bills shouldn't be more than 3-4/yrs old (there re dates on our bills). No folded, torn, wrinkled, scotchtaped or recently washed in your jeans bills. Many visitors bring small envelopes with note paper to hand over an individual tip with a "thank you."

And, as mentioned above... that Tour Leader, gets a tip also. Figure $15/day person or $25/couple.

Of course, you can add or deduct depending on service received, but you're not likely to be disappointed in those who are doing their utmost to provide at most pleasant experience.

Jess,
On a Micato tour, the only people you should feel obligated to tip are your driver/guide (this is one person, called a "driver/guide" because they are not just drivers, but knowledgeable guides as well) and your safari director (you will have one in Kenya and one in Tanzania). Anyone else is optional, based on the service you receive and whether you personally want to tip. You will probably have a different driver/guide for each park you visit. Suggested tips are $8-10 per day for the driver/guides and $10-12 per day for the safari directors. Porters are taken care of by Micato, so you do not need to tip the people who take your bag to your room.

I brought some notecards and envelopes so I could write a note with each tip, which I handed to the driver/guides and our safari directors when we said goodbye.

Aside from souvenirs, the only things you will need money for are drinks and any activities you might participate in that are not covered by Micato. For us this included a bush walk in Amboseli ($15 per person) and horseback riding at Mt. Kenya Safari Club ($35 per person per hour). Virtually all of the lodges will also take credit cards for these sorts of things.

We found that Euros were not that widely accepted (we are living in Germany so that's what we had). Best to take American dollars and also change some money for Kenyan and Tanzanian shillings while you are there - you can do this at most of the lodges. Some people also paid tips to the driver/guides and safari directors in traveler's checks.

If your tour includes a visit to a Maasai village, you will want either local currency or U.S. dollars.

Bump