Safari tipping
Jun 21, 2018 04:13:08 #
My wife and I along with another photographer were on Safari recently in Kenya (Masai Mara & Amboseli NP) and in Tanzania (Serengeti & the Ngorongoro Crater) and had excellent guides and we thoroughly enjoyed our Safari. Going on information I found on Trip Advisor and elsewhere we tipped at $10.00 per day per person our guide in Tanzania was stopped for speeding and we decided to pay his fine (30,000 TZS which converts to approx $15.00 USD) for him not out of feeling obligated since we were not in a big hurry get where we were headed. However it drives me nuts when in hindsight I think I might have under-tipped someone. So...I’m looking to my fellow UHH’s to convince me a I’m cheap or allay my concerns about having under-tipped. We developed a good relationship with both guides and could send additional money if need be.
Jun 21, 2018 05:55:24 #
hobbit123
Loc: Brisbane, Australia
Speaking as an Australian and providing my own personal POV my observation is that tipping is an American custom that's intended to make up the shortfall in the wages of service industry workers in the US thus bringing their wages up to an acceptable level. AFAIK this doesn't happen in most countries. However if you tip then undoubtedly those you tip will be very happy because it will be an added bonus on their already adequate salary.
So in any country other than the US there is no such thing as "under tipping" :-) I'm sure your guides were very happy.
So in any country other than the US there is no such thing as "under tipping" :-) I'm sure your guides were very happy.
Jun 21, 2018 06:27:24 #
GLKTN
Loc: TN
I was on a college tour of 4 european countries and the bus driver stopped and threatened to stop driving the tour if we didn't start tipping more. This was in the early 1970s.
Jun 21, 2018 06:34:15 #
On one of our trips to Tanzania a couple of years ago, we tipped the driver $1 per bird species... he did very well...more than the 'standard' rate and have an element of fun and appreciation. he didn't know in advance..brilliant birder!
On another trip we asked if we could visit a local village, and we had heart to heart, non-staged meetings with the local medic and the local teachers.all four of us left with every penny (by which I mean hundreds of dollars) we had on us left behind. I would put $10US into local value, and realise how much difference it can make.
It's not about what we do at home, it is about what we do there.
Rob
On another trip we asked if we could visit a local village, and we had heart to heart, non-staged meetings with the local medic and the local teachers.all four of us left with every penny (by which I mean hundreds of dollars) we had on us left behind. I would put $10US into local value, and realise how much difference it can make.
It's not about what we do at home, it is about what we do there.
Rob
Jun 21, 2018 07:17:36 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
SafariGuy wrote:
My wife and I along with another photographer were... (show quote)
On Viking cruises it is recommended $13 US per person per day plus $2 US per person per day for cruise director.
Jun 21, 2018 18:35:37 #
Years ago German restaurants just automatically added tip money to the bill, so no worker in the restaurant went without a tip
Jun 22, 2018 08:30:59 #
Tips are earn for going above and behind the normal service performed, they’re not due they’re earn
Jun 22, 2018 10:27:09 #
Speaking as a person living in Africa, I feel that USD 10 per day is a very nice sum for someone in Kenya. I am sure your guide was extremely pleased with this amount.
Jun 22, 2018 11:01:07 #
My wife and I tip for service and especially when traveling out of the country. One of the things I find strange that is customary at home is to tip based on the price of the meal. The reason I find it strange is that I get the exact same service if I buy a $6.00 hamburger with fries as I do if I buy a $32.00 steak at the same restaurant yet the recommended tip is much more. In a weird way, it's almost like I'm being financially punished for buying the better meal.
Is it just me or do others find this practice strange as well. By the way, do you tip based on the tab before or after tax?
Is it just me or do others find this practice strange as well. By the way, do you tip based on the tab before or after tax?
Jun 22, 2018 11:18:55 #
I am usually not a big tipper but 2 years ago my wife and I took a private tour in remote SW Ethiopia to visit tribes. Of course we had driver and cook, but the guide was amazing. During the planning I had repeatedly explained the focus of this trip was photography. Our guide negotiated prices with each tribe for photos, got the best people from the tribes for photos, and set up special events such as a ceremony at a Surma cow camp. Anyway we ended up tipping the guide $700 for the 12 day trip and I feel that was a bargain. I was more than happy with my photo ops and he was very happy with the tip. I found out during the trip that he has been the personal guide for Art Wolfe on 4 trips to Ethiopia and appears in several of Art's videos. I tip for results, cooperation, adjusting our schedule if needed, local knowledge, etc.
Jun 22, 2018 11:19:52 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
My wife and I tip for service and especially when ... (show quote)
Yes, that's exactly how I feel too. I also think it is strange that a server at a family restaurant gets a 15% tip on my $12 meal and put just as much work into serving me as the server that works at a steak and lobster house. But the person at the steak and lobster house makes one hell of a lot more money.
As far as foreigners coming to America goes, I think it's despicable that they come to our country and NOT tip us as it IS customary to tip in America. I drove a taxi for a short period of time when I was between jobs, and I averaged minimum wage most of the time. Every time I got a fare that was from New Zealand I got a $0 tip. About half the time I'd get a small tip from people of Australia. Asian foreigners tipped but they usually tipped an exact amount like 10% to the penny.
Jun 22, 2018 11:47:33 #
mikedent
Loc: Florida
Re: Viking cruise tips- try Uniworld! There is no tipping of staff or guides anymore, all is included in cruise fare.
Jun 22, 2018 11:49:24 #
jaycoffman
Loc: San Diego
SafariGuy wrote:
My wife and I along with another photographer were... (show quote)
We always tip our guide in Africa at $10/day/person and I feel fine about that. It seems to be the going rate. I have tipped less once (in South America) where I though the guide was a jerk and not that helpful but other than him we've been lucky and had excellent guides who really helped us appreciate our visit.
Jun 22, 2018 11:50:42 #
jaycoffman
Loc: San Diego
sippyjug104 wrote:
My wife and I tip for service and especially when ... (show quote)
Interesting point--I've never thought if it that way but I think you're right.
Jun 22, 2018 12:20:34 #
Don't get me wrong, I never fail to tip anywhere and frankly, I've never had service so bad that I didn't want to (lucky I guess). We travel out of the country twice a year and I have found the service and attention they give to the wife and I beyond belief.
I travel "all inclusive" which is supposed to include all gratuity however nothing gets better service than giving them a little cash and a smile to go with it. I really believe it to be a difference in culture.
For what it's worth....The current Minimum Wage in Mexico is equal to $4.71 PER DAY...! Not per hour, per day. Kenya is currently $1.68 PER DAY. The minimum wage in Cuba is equal to $9.00 PER MONTH (now that we can go there).
So, when you think that you were given good service, whatever it is you give them in appreciation can actually make a difference in their life at the time in a real way.
I travel "all inclusive" which is supposed to include all gratuity however nothing gets better service than giving them a little cash and a smile to go with it. I really believe it to be a difference in culture.
For what it's worth....The current Minimum Wage in Mexico is equal to $4.71 PER DAY...! Not per hour, per day. Kenya is currently $1.68 PER DAY. The minimum wage in Cuba is equal to $9.00 PER MONTH (now that we can go there).
So, when you think that you were given good service, whatever it is you give them in appreciation can actually make a difference in their life at the time in a real way.
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