Tipping on safari
The recommendations below are intended only as a guide to help you plan for your travels.
The recommendations below are intended only as a guide to help you plan for your travels.
Tipping and gratuities guidelines
At Wilderness, exceptional hospitality comes from genuine care, not the expectation of a tip. Gratuities are always entirely at your discretion and should reflect the service you have received. While never expected, they are always sincerely appreciated by the people who make your journey through Africa's wild places so memorable.
The recommendations below are intended only as a guide to help you plan for your travels.
We also suggest carrying a small amount for incidental expenses (approximately USD 15–30 per day, depending on your personal preference). This can be useful for additional activities booked during your journey, unexpected changes to travel arrangements, or acknowledging exceptional service where appropriate.
Please note that gratuity practices vary slightly between countries and properties. At some camps, local regulations or operating procedures mean communal gratuity boxes may not be available. In these cases, envelopes are provided in your accommodation and may be given to camp management for fair distribution amongst the team.
Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia & Zimbabwe
| Service | Recommended gratuity |
|---|---|
| Guide, Specialist Guide & Butler | USD 20 per guest, per day |
| Mokoro Poler | USD 7 per guest, per day |
| General Camp/Lodge Staff | USD 20 per guest, per day Shared amongst the entire team via the communal gratuity box, an envelope left with Camp/Lodge Management, or by credit card where available. |
| Massage Therapist | USD 5 per treatment |
| Transfer Driver | USD 10 per guest, per transfer |
| Porter | USD 5 per guest, per transfer |
Tanzania
| Service | Recommended gratuity |
|---|---|
| Private Safari Guide | USD 10–20 per guest, per day For guides accompanying your journey throughout, rather than camp guides hosting individual activities. |
| Spotter | USD 3–5 per guest, per activity Spotters are required on night game drives. |
| TANAPA Ranger | USD 3–5 per guest, per activity Rangers are required on nature walks and night game drives. |
Rwanda
| Service | Recommended gratuity |
|---|---|
| Professional Guide / Local Tour Leader | USD 20 per guest, per day |
| Driver/Guide | USD 10 per guest, per day |
| Transfer Driver | USD 3–5 per group, per transfer |
| General Camp/Lodge Staff | USD 15 per guest, per day Shared amongst the team. |
| Gorilla Trekking Guide | USD 15 per guest, per trek There are usually two guides, and gratuities are traditionally offered after each trek. |
| Gorilla Trekking Trackers | USD 10 per group, per day |
| Gorilla Trekking Porter | USD 5 per porter |
| Hiking/Trekking Guide | USD 10 per guest, per day |
| Hotel & Airport Porter | USD 2 per bag, per movement |
| Restaurants & Hotels | 10–15% of the bill Where service is not already included and you are satisfied with the service. |
We do recommend making use of this service with the porters, as not only are they extremely helpful, they know the terrain like no other. Not only assisting with any bags, they provide a hand on the slippery slopes or steep parts of the trails.
In addition, it is a way of giving back to the community as porters are organised via a cooperative and contribute to job creation, so that even more people benefit from the National Park. Porters are available at the start of each hike and do not need to be pre-booked, however, we would recommend including it in the service so that guests know it is already taken care of when they arrive at the starting point.
We recommend tipping your driver/guide/porter/ tracker directly. For the general camp/lodge staff and massage therapists, gratuities in cash may be left in an envelope or settled by credit card with Camp/Lodge Management for further distribution.
South Africa
| Service | Recommended gratuity |
|---|---|
| Transfer Driver | ZAR 100 per transfer |
| Sightseeing Driver/Guide | ZAR 200 per day For half-day or full-day touring. |
| Porter | ZAR 25 per bag |
| Safari Guide | ZAR 200 per day |
| Safari Tracker | ZAR 100 per day |
| General Hotel or Lodge Staff | ZAR 50 per day |
| Train Cabin Attendant | ZAR 100 per day |
| Dining Car Waiter | ZAR 75 per day |
| Restaurants & Hotels | 10–15% of the bill Where service is not already included and you are satisfied with the service. |
All safari packages & tours
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Botswana: Delta to Desert
From rugged desert landscapes to the lush Linyanti and iconic Okavango Delta, Botswana's diversity is unmatched.
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From rugged desert landscapes to the lush Linyanti and iconic Okavango Delta, Botswana's diversity is unmatched.What currency should I tip in
In most destinations, gratuities may be offered in local currency or widely accepted foreign currency such as US Dollars or Euros. Many camps and lodges also offer the option of settling communal gratuities by credit card. Availability varies by property.
Above all, gratuities are never expected. They are a personal gesture of appreciation for exceptional service and should always be given entirely by choice.
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