Are you on a safari in South Africa? Has your guide and tracker found everything you want to see? A South African safari game drive is an experience you won’t soon forget, whether it’s a private lodge or a trip through Kruger National Park. Besides cooperative animals and a bit of luck, your game ranger, spotters, lodge staff, and camp manager are critical to an enjoyable trip. Do you know what the tipping guidelines are on a South African safari? Our safari gratuity guide will help you understand who to tip and the expected tipping amounts in South Africa.

Answered: Tipping on a South African safari

In South Africa, it is customary for guests to tip staff on safaris and game drives. Good tipping etiquette includes the guide/ranger, tracker, housekeeping, and cooking staff. Staff in the safari tourism industry rely on guest tips to supplement their wages, so your tips are appreciated. While the tip amount is at your discretion at lodges that don’t include a service charge, we provide tipping guidelines in the following sections.

Keep in mind that only a few lodges are set up to add tips on a guest’s credit card. For that reason, you should have enough South African rand on hand before heading to the lodge. Otherwise, staff will also accept tips in US dollars or other major currencies.

How much do you tip safari guides

How much do you tip your safari guide in South Africa? At a luxury safari lodge, you can leave your safari guide/ranger 200 – 300 South African rand (abbreviated as R) per family per day. Otherwise, R100 to R200 rand per family per day is more than enough to show your appreciation.

How much do you tip trackers and spotters?

How much do you tip a safari tracker in South Africa? If you are staying at a luxury lodge, leave your safari tracker 100 – 200 rand per family per day. Otherwise, 50 – 100 rand per day is an appropriate tip.

How much do you tip the lodge staff?

How much should you tip the lodge staff? At a luxury lodge, R50 to R100 per family per day can be left as a combined tip. Otherwise, R25 to R50 per family per day is standard. The lodge service staff includes housekeeping/cleaners, cooks, waiters, waitresses, and porters.

How much do you tip airport transfer drivers?

The standard rule of thumb is to tip your airport transfer driver 10 percent of the fare.

How should you leave the tip?

Typically, a safari lodge will leave three envelopes for tips: one for the safari guide, a second for the tracker, and a third for the housekeeping and cooking staff. Generally, tips should be personally given to the safari guide and tracker but left at the lodge office for the housekeeping and cooking staff.

When leaving tips at the lodge office, you will leave them with the office manager or in a communal tip box. The local currency is appreciated, but the foreign currency equivalent, such as dollars or euros, can also be given if you don’t have enough rand with you.

Can you tip in US dollars in South Africa?

While US dollars are widely accepted in South Africa, it is recommended to tip in the local currency, which is the South African Rand (ZAR). Tipping in US dollars may not be convenient for the recipient as they will have to convert it into ZAR, and they may also lose money due to unfavorable exchange rates. Therefore, it is best to always keep some ZAR on hand for tipping purposes when traveling in South Africa.

Tipping at private game reserves in South Africa

Yes, it is customary to tip at private game reserves in South Africa. The amount to tip will depend on the level of service provided and the duration of your stay. It is recommended to tip around ZAR 200-300 per day for a guide or ranger and ZAR 100-150 per day for housekeeping staff. However, it is important to note that gratuity is always voluntary and should be given only if you are satisfied with the service provided. Some private game reserves may have guidelines on tipping, so it’s always best to check with the management before tipping.

Tipping in South Africa taxi

While it’s not required, taxi drivers in South Africa appreciate tips. A tip of around 10% of the fare is considered appropriate, but you can round up the fare to the nearest whole number as a simpler option. If you receive exceptional service, such as help with luggage or a particularly pleasant ride, you may choose to tip more than 10%.

It is important to note that not all taxis in South Africa are metered, and in these cases, it’s best to negotiate a price upfront before starting your journey.

Tipping in South Africa restaurants

Yes, it is customary to tip at restaurants in South Africa. The standard tipping amount is usually around 10-15% of the total bill, but this can vary depending on the level of service provided. If the service charge has already been included in the final bill, there is no need to add an additional tip unless you feel that the service was exceptional. It is also important to note that some restaurants may have a policy of pooling tips among all staff members, so it’s best to check before leaving a gratuity.

Tipping in South Africa hotels

Yes, it is customary to tip at hotels in South Africa for various services such as housekeeping, luggage handling, and room service. For housekeeping staff, leaving a tip of ZAR20-50 per day is recommended. For luggage handlers, a tip of ZAR10-20 per bag is appropriate, while room service staff can receive a tip of around 10% of the total bill depending on the quality of service provided. However, it’s always best to check if a service charge has already been included in the final bill before tipping.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tipping is expected in South Africa’s safari lodges. It shows appreciation for the service provided and helps support local economies. Remember that tipping should always be done at your discretion and based on your satisfaction with the service received. By following our guidelines for tipping during on South African safari, you can help support the local communities while showing appreciation for their excellent service.