What should you tip?

At Safari Lifestyles, we are often asked what should a tip be for the average traveller…. below are our thoughts

Tipping isn’t really anything other than a global standard appreciation of work carried out in the tourism industry.

It is completely discretionary and is not based on any evidence that employees are underpaid and use tips as part of their income. Rather, tips are used to supplement an income, and are of course greatly received.

Workers and colleagues are indeed paid the industry standard in tourism for Botswana and beyond, and of course, no employee should see that tips are a reflection of nothing other than standard services provided, which should be at a high level and not enhanced with the thought of a large tip.

Tipping can of course have a positive effect for any worker as extra income… but it can also have a negative effect as well if perhaps you tip too much. The economy of a southern African country like Botswana or Zambia etc, is very different to the west in the US or Europe.

Tipping practices in Africa require thoughtful consideration. When approached carelessly or taken to extremes, tipping can inadvertently harm local economies and create unhealthy dependencies among workers. Handing out money indiscriminately tends to cause more problems than it solves, encouraging staff to prioritize those who tip most generously while sidelining other guests. This can breed inequality and tension within communities and among travelers themselves, particularly when some guests tip constantly while others follow different approaches.

The key lies in understanding regional norms and tipping purposefully to acknowledge exceptional service. Rather than viewing tips as charitable handouts, they’re best seen as meaningful compensation that supplements often modest base wages. For many hospitality workers across the continent, gratuities represent an additional component of their livelihood, making thoughtful tipping practices important for both fairness and sustainability.

The following is an industry guideline as followed by most southern African countries. The costs are per traveller, per day. However, discretion should be used here if you are travelling with children, or you are a large group or family, as amounts can tally up quite fast. So use the below as the national guidelines only, and do not treat them as a policy.

Remember, it is NOT normal to tip Lodge Managers or Pilots etc.

We get a lot of questions about whether you should tip in local currency… this is NOT necessary at all. The answer to this is simple, and is split into two reasons.

Firstly, most travellers to the region are from western countries like USA, Europe or Australia etc…. you will find it nearly impossible to get local currency like Zambian Kwacha or Botswana Pula in your own country. Furthermore, most travellers land in Botswana and almost immediately fly out into your lodge or mobile campsite…. you will have no time to find an ATM in town to get local currency.

Secondly, The employees of the tourism industry have for decades accepted foreign currency notes fort their tips and it is a well oiled machine in the local towns where the banks are very used to exchanging foreign currency for local tourism employees….. This is easily done and has been the practice form many years.

Do remember that the tourism industry here in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe etc, is quoted in and paid for in USD, so everyone is well used to the trading of that currency.

Perhaps the only exception to the rules above for southern Africa is South Africa, where ATM’s are freely available at airports, and it is deemed a global currency.

So… which currencies are the best to tip in?
USD
EURO
GBP
AUD
CAD
ZAR

…. these are commonly used for tips, and as they are considered global currencies, staff find them easy to exchange into their local currency. Obviously there are some far flung currencies which are hard to use etc.

The main point here is that it is a holiday for you and your family…. don’t stress too much about tipping, it is discretionary and easier to use your own foreign currency!

This is easier than you think, and should not be overly complex.

Actual safari participants like your Guide and tracker (not all lodges have a tracker), are best tipped at the end of your safari. There is not set way or time for this…. generally most people with tip the guide and tracker at the airstrip just before they leave, cash in hand or in an envelope.

For general staff at the lodge, there will be a tip box somewhere in the main area… you can just leave cash in there or in an envelope again.

It is also possible in some cases to use a Credit Card to tip…. You would need to ask the manager at the lodge you are staying in about, but most lodges will accept a credit card for curio purchases so this can be possible.