Tip to show gratitude and appreciation, most of crew will work tirelessly to ensure clients get the best out of their experience, thus going further than things which are required example on hike, some porters carry small backpacks which are to be with clients, some go as far as carrying the client so as to increase his/her chances to summit. On safaris, guides are known to risk getting fined but ensure clients get more on evening game drives which by park regulations are to end by 6:00pm, some go off tracks to ensure clients get closer to animals (however none of this is required of them & are heavily discourage by we “companies”)
Tips encourage and motivates your crew, as employers in this industry we understand that the best guides, chefs will leave better paying companies for less pay if they will derive more in tips in the later company, after letting you in on this we believe you understand how tips are crucial to the overall performance of the crew
On the Kilimanjaro tips assist hiking crew to replace their personal hiking gear
-Transparency, we do believe our team have full trust on us but to ensure we don’t ever have to explain we encourage our clients to tip directly and recommend those whom feel need to discreet should use envelopes.
-Guides
-Cook
-Servers
-Number of days on tour
-Private or group tour
-Performance of crew
-US$ 8-10 per guest per day for a group guide
-US$ 20- 25 per guest per day for a private guide
-US$ 6-10 per guest per day for safari chef
-US$ 1-3 for general staff
Note: minimum tip to private guide is assuming you are 2 & maximum is assuming you are 1, if you are on a private group of more than 3 we recommend you use group guide guideline-Head guide
-Assistant guide
-Cook
-Porters
-Toilet porters & assistant cook (occasionally depends on package purchased or group size)
Head Guide: 20 - 25 USD.
Assistance Guide: 12 - 20 USD.
Cook: 12 - 20 USD.
Assistant cook: 10- 15 USD.
Porter: 7 - 10 USD
Note: joining a group will reduce your tip figure as tipping obligation will be shared among the group
For a 6 day trek the total tipping value per group and climber would look as follows.
No. of trekkers (US$) | 1 Climber | 2 Climber | 3 Climber | 4 Climber |
---|---|---|---|---|
Guide | $120-150 | $120-150 | $150-175 | $150-175 |
Ass. Guide | ___ | $90-105 | $90-105 | $180-210 |
Cooks | $72-105 | $72-105 | $105-120 | $105-120 |
Porters | $168- 240 | $294-490 | $378- 540 | $462-660 | Total for group | $360-495 | $576-850 | $723-940 | $897-1165 |
Per climber | $360-495 | $288-425 | $241-313 | $224-291 |
Note: 1 Climber 4 porter, 2 Climbers 7 porters, 3 Climbers 9 Porters, 4 Climbers 11 Porters and 2 Ass. Guide.
Climbers choosing treks with more or less should consider an average increase or decrease of $ 60 on their tipping budget
Note: Climbers who find tipping well above their budget could consider donating hiking gear directly to the crew if they don’t plan on using them again
You can be straight forward to ask if something is needed and then donate it individually. Your donation is of great assistance to these individuals, many of who are unwilling to spend their money on material goods they consider a luxury rather than a necessity.
They will appreciate your generosity tremendously as this will make their hard job even easier. Avoid giving items to your guide for distribution to porters.
Donations should be given directly to individuals they are intended for, perhaps those with the greatest need or who were of particularly good service.
Tipping will be done on last day of the trek in what is known as tipping ceremony
The head Guide will assemble the entire staff to say a word of thanks. Tips can be made in US Dollars (USD) or Tanzanian Shillings (TSH). It is very important that US bills are not older than 2000, as they are not accepted in the country or will derive a lower value in Tanzania.
It is very helpful to organize a well estimated amount of USD before arrival, as exchange rates may vary and differ a lot.