Ndanda Tours Tipping Guidelines

Welcome! If you’re considering a Tanzanian tour, you’re in for a treat! The experiences you’ll have are unique and breathtaking, leaving a lasting impression on your heart and mind. When it comes to showing appreciation for the exceptional service provided by guides, drivers, and staff, tipping is a great way to do so. While tipping is not mandatory, it’s customary and goes a long way in making someone’s day. Here are some guidelines to consider before giving a tip:

Tour Guides and Drivers

  • Tour guides and drivers play a crucial role as they are often the primary point of contact for travelers and have a significant impact on how a trip is perceived.
  • Tipping them for their expertise, knowledge, and dedication is customary.
  • For tour guides and drivers, a standard tip of $20 to $30 per person per day is standard. However, this amount may vary based on the level of service provided and your overall satisfaction with the experience.
  • If you are on a group safari, you may collectively pool funds to provide a gratuity for the guide and driver.

Crew members

  • When going on mobile camping safaris or multi-day excursions, you may have additional crew members such as cooks, assistant guides, camp assistants, or boat captains. It is often considered appropriate to provide a gratuity of $10 to $20 per person daily.

Porters

  • If you’re gearing up for a trekking safari or planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, you may meet porters and baggage handlers who can lend a hand with carrying your gear and supplies. Understandably, you may have questions about how much to tip these hardworking individuals.
  • It’s essential to remember that the amount you tip can vary based on the length and difficulty of your trek. As a general guideline, tipping $10 per day per porter is an excellent way of appreciating their efforts.

Hotel/ Camp/Lodge staff

Numerous hotels, lodges, and camps have dedicated staff members who provide guests with various hospitality services such as housekeeping, restaurant service, etc. Tipping the staff at the end of your stay is a great way of acknowledging and appreciating the hard work of these individuals.
Most accommodation properties have a ‘general staff tip box’ where collected tips are divided equally among the staff ensuring everyone gets recognized for their contributions. The suggested amount is between $10 to $15 per day.

Group Tipping

If you are traveling with a group, combining your resources and providing a joint tip for the safari staff might be a good idea. This can help streamline the tipping process and ensure that all service team members are adequately recognized for their hard work.

Other Considerations

It is recommended to tip in cash, and it’s preferable to use Tanzanian shillings (TZS) or US dollars (USD) as they are widely accepted currencies in Tanzania. To avoid any potential awkwardness or discomfort when tipping, it’s best to be discreet. In addition to a monetary tip, expressing your appreciation verbally or with a handwritten note can further convey your gratitude for excellent service.