Tipping Guide for Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari

Tipping Guide for Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari

Traveling exposes you to different cultures and customs. While tipping isn’t common in most parts of the world, it’s a custom in East Africa. People expect a tip after delivering a service or helping you with something (and in rare cases, you may be asked). It’s true that a small tip motivates your guide, hotel staff, or a local, but it’s never mandatory. Give one only when you’re satisfied with the service: it’s a gesture of appreciation, not an obligation. In this guide, we’ll discuss this crucial topic.

But first, let’s face the elephant in the room: what’s tipping?

This is the act of showing gratitude, mostly in the form of cash. As mentioned, this is expected by many servants in the tourism and hospitality industry and even local communities. But do not feel obliged to until you’re comfortable with it or satisfied by the service rendered.

Why should you tip?

The aim of tipping is to show appreciation. However, it’s more than that. Most guides and rangers wake up early in the morning before dawn to save you and will stay with you throughout your safari. So, a tip might be a good thing to appreciate their commitment and hard work.

If you’ve known Africa for a while, you notice that many families are extended and illiterate. That means only a few people get to college for maybe a degree or diploma. (And that could be your guide). As a result, they expect tips from visitors as a second income to handle extra bills.

Finally, local communities often perform traditional dances for hire. Yes, the group is always paid a substantial amount of money. But as mentioned, some have many dependents to handle. So, yes, your tip will help them and eventually boost the local economy.

Who to tip?

Now that you know why tipping is necessary, let’s see who is eligible for your tip. Otherwise, you may be throwing valuable money into the wrong pockets. The first and foremost concern is that you only tip to reward extraordinary service. When you’re 100% satisfied with the service rendered.

With that in mind, your safari is made possible by many workers. Those whom you get to see and know by their names, and those whom you may not meet in person. Therefore, aim for all. Here are groups of people worth receiving your tip.

For a safari tour.

• Your guide.
• Hotel staff.
• Behind-the-scenes workers like laundry workers.
• Rangers

For the Kilimanjaro hike.

• Guides: head and assistant.

Who not to tip?

Managers, pilots, and property owners. Yes, these people have a decent income. On top of that, they do their best to serve you, not to convince you to give a tip. Although they may not reject it, we don’t see a good reason for you to stress yourself about how much you should tip the manager, pilot, or owner.

When to tip?

You decide when to tip. But because tipping is an act of rewarding remarkable services, always do it after the service. This can be after every activity, at the end of the day, or at the end of your safari. Some events may require instant tips. For example, a team of dancers performing at a local village. It will work best if you tip them instantly.

If you’re climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, we recommend you do it once – at the end of the hike. This will save you money because tipping on a daily basis can be costly. And for hotel staff, tipping on a daily basis may not work best. We advise you to do it at the end of your stay.

Where to put your tip?

This is very important because it may result in a conflict of interest. On safari, if you’d like to tip your guide, hand it to them personally. Rather than giving visible cash, place it in an envelope before presenting it. It’s a more discreet and respectful gesture.

Most lodges and camps have a gratitude box, where you can put your tip. The manager will distribute it to both visible teams and the invisible, yet crucial personnel. If the lodge doesn’t have a communal box, give the tip to the manager. For climbers, if you’re in a group, the best way is to collect your tips in a bag and hand them after the hike.

How much to tip?

We know you’ve incurred a lot of costs, from paying for flights to booking hotels. So, don’t feel pressured to give more than you’re comfortable with. Remember, tipping is a personal choice, not a burden. That said, here is a guideline of how much to tip.

• Safari guide: $5-$15 per group.
• Hotel staff: $5-$10 per person per day.
• Mountain guides for Kilimanjaro (lead and assistant): $20-$25 per group per day.
• Chef: $15-$20 per group per day.
• Porters: $8-$12 per group per day.

What currency?

You can give your tip in Tanzanian shillings, US Dollars, Euros, or Pound Sterling. The first two are the most widely used currencies. And please note that U.S. dollars older than 2006 won’t be accepted in Tanzania.

Truly speaking, your tip impacts the local economy in immeasurable ways. Children go to school. Families earn a living, etc. But it’s my personal choice. You won’t be judged for not doing it. Let’s help you plan your safari.