1. sports
2. horse racing

PREPARATION | IMPORTANT TO KNOW | TIPPING
Tipping Guidelines
Tipping is somewhat a safari tradition. Having said that, it certainly is NOT compulsory
and remains at your discretion. Staff are mostly very appreciative of receiving gratuity
because it is one way of assuring them that they are doing a great job. In some cases,
staff may be cheeky and expect or on the odd occasion, demand more money.
There should be no obligation for you to pay more than what you are comfortable with.
We often recommend you take small envelopes and place tips inside the envelope so you
are not handing over a ‘known’ amount of money. It also means you can write a note of
thanks if the service was particularly impressive.
Our tipping etiquette:
1. Take small envelopes
2. Tip guides and trackers separately to camp staff. This is best done on your last
safari activity or on departure if they are taking you to the airstrip or onwards to the
drop off point.
3. General staff tipping is best done as one amount and handed to the Camp
Manager or placed in a staff tip box that is usually located in the central area or
reception. This tip money is then divided among all lodge staff.
4. If you are particularly satisfied with assistance received from a staff member, a
personal tip is also acceptable and gratefully received.
5. It is NOT acceptable for staff to ask you for a tip or for a present for their family and
we would appreciate it if you reported this behaviour to the Camp Manager at the
time.
Who to tip:
It seems in Africa there is always someone to tip! So we have provided a table that
outlines the various people you may come into contact with and an indication of the tip
amounts that we would personally provide when travelling. REMEMBER there are no
hard and fast rules, it is at your discretion.
South Africa & Namibia
Role
Airport and hotel porters
Car Guards when you park your car
Taxis
Transfer drivers booked by Encompass
Africa
Guide / Ranger who leads the safari
Trackers / Mokoro paddlers who support
the safari
Personal Butler
Camp Staff
Per Person Per Day unless specified
R10 one off for service
R2 – R5 one off for service
Nil – fee only
Nil, or R10 if you wish to acknowledge
great service
R100 – R250
R50 – R100
R80 – 100
R50 – R100
As at 15 April 2015
PREPARATION | IMPORTANT TO KNOW | TIPPING
Restaurants
5 – 10% on accounts if you are satisfied
with service and quality of food
East Africa & Other Southern Africa countries who deal with US currency
This table has been divided into three categories as tipping varies depending on
the level of luxury you are staying at. Remember the costs below are indicative
only and based on per person per day or for one off service like porters.
Role
Airport and hotel
porters
Basic per day
Mid range per day
US$2 one off fee
Luxury per day
Taxis
Pay service fee only. Tipping not required
Transfer drivers
booked by
Encompass Africa
US$2 - $5 if you wish to acknowledge service
Guide / Ranger who
leads the safari
Trackers / Porters
who support the
safari, trek or climb
Personal Butler
US$10 – US$15
US$15 – US$20
US$20 – US$30
US$5
US$8
US$10
Camp Staff
US$5 – US$10
US$10 - US$15
US$15 – US$20
Restaurants
5 – 10% on accounts if you are satisfied with service and
quality of food
US$5 – US$15
Keep in mind:
1. It is worth carrying a good amount of small USdollar and Rand notes so you can
easily tip without having to worry about accessing change
2. Do not feel obliged to tip if you are not happy with the service
3. Never accept help by a person at an airport unless they are in uniform with
identification. Johannesburg Airport in particular sometimes has people coming in
offering to help you to the security gates and then demanding big tips for the
service
4. Remember to report any unprofessional behaviour of staff such as asking for
money or presents
5. Envelopes really do help and make things more discreet and easy
As at 15 April 2015