The tipping for Safari drivers and guides is slightly different between Tanzania and Kenya, but not much.

If you follow these guidelines, you will not go wrong, as tipping is customary after a safari.

A tip is expected after the tour, and it is not included in the price. How much you tip depends on how satisfied you are with your safari or trekking tour. 

While both Kenya and Tanzania are in East Africa and share similar tipping cultures, the primary difference lies in currency and specific examples. Both countries expect tipping for good service, especially on safari, and it’s common to tip with U.S. dollars, although local currency is many times better. Kenya primarily uses Kenyan Shillings KES and Tanzania uses Tanzanian Shillings TZS.

Both countries: U.S. dollars are widely accepted and often preferred for larger tips like those for guides.

Kenya: Local tips can be given in Kenyan Shillings (KES).

Tanzania: Local tips can be given in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS).

• Safari staff:
  • It is customary to tip safari guides and crew, often at the end of a successful trip.
• Individual services:
  • In both countries, tipping is expected for personal services like hotel porters, skippers, and spa attendants.
• Tipping at once:
  • For hotel staff, it’s common to tip at checkout, either directly to individuals or by leaving a sum in a gratuity box for all staff.
• Maasai dancers:
  • Tipping Maasai dancers for their performances is the norm in both countries.
• Restaurants:
  • In Kenya, tipping in restaurants and bars has become customary in major cities like Nairobi and on the coast, with 10% being a good benchmark.
  • In Tanzania, tipping is also expected for good service.

For a safari in Tanzania you can use the tipping guidelines below. It is always at you discretion what you wish to tip. you give the tip as a group on a private safari. On a group safari, you can chose to do the same as for a private safari, however you you now tip individually what you think is the right amount. (A group safari is where you join a group of people you do not know)

Tips are best given in USD or Tanzanian Shillings at the end of the trip, preferably in an envelope. Se more in the end of the this FAQ.

• Role: Private safari guide
  • Per group, per day: $30-$40
  • Note: The tip is for all people in the vehicle combined, per day
• Role: Group safari guide
  • Per person per day: $8-12
  • Notes: Tips are per person in the group, per day. Remember, tipping is individual as to how you value their service.
• Role: Private safari chef
  • Per person per day: $15-$25:
  • Notes: A private safari chef is usually if you are staying in a luxury accommodation.
• Role: Group safari chef
  • $7-$10
  • Note: Group Safari Chef is usually on budget safaris (campsite.), on trekking outside the range of lodges.
  • Tip at the end of the safari.
• Role: Driver
  • $8-$12
  • Note: Most of the time the driver and guides is the same, but if you have a separate guide due to language, then they are tipped individually
• Role Lodge/Camp Staff:
  • $5-$10
  • Notes: You can tip staff individually
  • You can also put the tip in the tip box at reception area at the end of your stay. This is shared among all staff, including cooks, housekeepers, and trackers.
• Role: Porters:
  • $1-$2
  • Note: per bag Tip at the end of the safari.

For a safari in Kenya you can use the tipping guidelines below. It is always at you discretion what you wish to tip. you give the tip as a group on a private safari. On a group safari, you can chose to do the same as for a private safari, however you now tip individually what you think is the right amount. (A group safari is where you join a group of people you do not know)

Tips are best given in USD or Kenyan Shillings at the end of the trip, preferably in an envelope. Se more in the end of the this FAQ.

• Role: Safari Guide/Driver
  • Per Person Per Day: $10–$30 per person, per day.
  • Notes: Tip at the end of the safari.
• Role: Camp/Lodge Staff.
  • Per Person, per Day: $10–$15
  • Notes: You can tip staff individually
  • You can also put the tip in the tip box at reception area at the end of your stay. This is shared among all staff, including cooks, housekeepers, and trackers.
• Role: Porters/Waiter staff
  • Per Person, per instance: $1–$5 per person
  • Notes: For luggage, a single meal, or other direct services.
• Role: Other activities
  • Per Person $5–$10
  • Notes: For specific activities like balloon safaris, boat trips, or cooking classes, if they are not included in your tour package.

Important tips in Kenya

• When to tip:
  • It is customary to tip at the end of your safari, not after each individual service.
• How to tip:
  • Use USD or Kenyan Shillings.
• Tip amounts:
  • The amounts are guidelines; adjust based on the quality of service you received.
• Tipping is expected:
  • While not mandatory, tips are a significant part of the income for many safari staff, so it is a customary and appreciated gesture.

Tips are always discretionary and if you are not happy with the service you have received you do not have to pay tips.

• Extras:
  • If dining out or participating in other activities, consider a 10% tip for the service staff.
• Tipping method:
  • For some places it can be good to pool tips and leave them in a communal box at the end of your stay.
  • For your guide, it is best to give them a tip directly at the end of the safari.
• Tipping amount:
  • Tipping is a cultural norm and a way to show gratitude for the hard work and dedication of your safari crew.
  • Tipping is not mandatory, but it is a gesture that is strongly appreciated by the local communities.

• Which currency to carry for tips.
  • Carry USD or EURO:
    • If USD, bring clean, crisp USD bills printed after 2009, as older notes may not be accepted.
  • Do not carry small USD denominations:
    • Small denominations ($1, $5, $10) is not useful as tips, as the exchange rate is very bad. At the same time it can be time consuming and difficult for people to run to the Forex.
    • Only carry larger denominations for bigger tips like for the safari guide/driver.
    • You can local KES or TZS in the ATM or Forex when changing EURO, USD, which have the best exchange rates.
      • You can also get a local sim card and get what is called M-pesa (Mobile money) and pay with M-pesa.
  • Tipping in USD, TZS,  KES:
    • Tanzania
      • You can tip in either USD or Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) in Tanzania
      • You can tip in either USD or Kenyan Shillings (KES) in Kenya.
  • ATM availability:
    • ATMs are available in major cities, but are limited in remote areas.
  • Credit cards:
    • Credit cards may be accepted at high-end hotels, but often come with a surcharge.
  • Tipping time:
    • It is common to tip at the end of your tour, which is usually on your last day.
  • Tipping children:
    • Avoid giving money to street children (They will many times use it for sniffing glue or alike. Better give them fruits, water or alike and see them eat it).
    • You can also give it to a local charity, or a charity like Moins Fortunes that support children’s education. We also support Moins Fortunes through our work.

Again our drivers, guides, cooks, etc. are professional staff people, well educated. We have staff with years of experience, and we also have new educated staff as we try to empower the younger generation.

We are also focused on training our our staff how to behave and talk to our clients. 

If you feel a guide, driver, or other staff does not approach you in the right way or give you the service you feel you are to have, we would like to hear from you, and also show us potential recordings of such if available, and we will deal with it appropriately.

NOTICE: When we write per. person it is not per guide, staff etc., but per person in your group.