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Safari Tipping Guide: The Definitive Guide to Tipping on an African Safari

Planning an African safari involves exciting decisions about national parks, lodges, wildlife and activities. One practical question, however, frequently creates uncertainty:

How much should you tip on an African safari?

Travelers often receive conflicting advice.

Some websites suggest fixed amounts. Others say tipping is completely optional. A lodge may provide one recommendation while a safari company provides another. Travelers visiting several countries can become even more confused because tipping practices vary across Africa.

The basic principle is straightforward.

Tipping on safari is generally voluntary and should reflect the quality of service you receive.

A tip is a gesture of appreciation. It should never feel like a compulsory hidden fee.

However, gratuities are an established part of the tourism culture in many African safari destinations. Driver-guides, lodge staff, trackers, porters, boat crews and specialist guides often provide highly personal service over long days.

Understanding local expectations before traveling helps you budget properly and avoids awkward decisions at the end of your safari.

This comprehensive safari tipping guide explains who you may want to tip, how much to consider, whether to use cash, how tipping works for gorilla trekking and how etiquette differs between private safaris, lodges and group trips.

Is Tipping Expected on an African Safari?

In many safari destinations, tipping is customary but not compulsory.

This distinction is important.

Your guide should provide professional service whether or not you have promised a tip. Lodge staff should treat guests properly without demanding gratuities.

A tip is normally given at the end of a service as recognition for good or exceptional work.

In practice, many visitors choose to tip because safari staff often contribute enormously to the quality of the journey.

An outstanding guide does much more than drive a vehicle.

He or she may:

Track wildlife

Interpret animal behavior

Explain ecosystems

Identify birds

Coordinate lodge arrivals

Handle park procedures

Manage unexpected road conditions

Adjust game drives around your interests

Help with photography

Coordinate meals and activities

Assist with border crossings

Provide cultural context

Solve logistical problems

and ensure that each day runs smoothly.

The difference between an ordinary safari and an exceptional safari is often the guide.

Why Safari Tipping Can Be Confusing

Unlike restaurants in some countries where a standard percentage is widely understood, safari tipping involves several different groups of staff.

During one trip you may interact with:

A driver-guide

Local site guides

Lodge staff

Waiters

Housekeepers

Porters

Gorilla trekking rangers

Trackers

Gorilla trekking porters

Chimpanzee guides

Boat crews

Walking safari guides

Camp staff

Airport transfer drivers

This does not mean every person needs a separate tip.

Understanding the tipping structure used by your safari company and lodge makes the process much easier.

The Most Important Rule: Tipping Is Personal

Online tipping figures should always be treated as guidance rather than compulsory charges.

The amount you choose should consider:

Quality of service

Length of service

Size of your travel group

Complexity of the trip

Country

Your personal budget

Whether service charges are already included

If a guide provides outstanding assistance for ten days, your gratuity may reasonably be different from that for a driver who transfers you between an airport and hotel for thirty minutes.

How Much Should You Tip Your Safari Driver-Guide?

Your safari driver-guide is often the person you spend the most time with.

On private road safaris in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, the same driver-guide may accompany you for most or all of your journey.

A practical general guideline for good service is approximately US$10–US$20 per traveler per day, depending on the country, safari style and group size.

For exceptional service, guests may choose to give more.

For larger groups, a per-group amount may sometimes be more practical.

There is no requirement to calculate the amount mathematically.

Think about the guide’s contribution to your trip.

If your guide consistently arrives early, keeps the vehicle clean, finds extraordinary wildlife, helps you understand animal behavior, handles logistical challenges and improves your entire journey, a generous gratuity is a meaningful way to show appreciation.

Should You Tip a Safari Guide Every Day?

Usually, no.

If the same guide accompanies you throughout the safari, it is generally easier to give the tip at the end.

This avoids daily cash handling and allows you to evaluate the overall service.

You can place the money in an envelope or hand it directly to your guide with a personal thank-you.

If several guides handle different activities independently, each can be tipped after the relevant service.

Private Safari Tipping

On a private safari, your guide’s service is dedicated almost entirely to you.

Private guides often adapt game drives around your interests, make photography stops and manage the itinerary flexibly.

Because the service is highly personalized, many travelers tip toward the higher end of the normal guideline when they are satisfied.

A couple traveling privately for eight days might calculate their gratuity differently from six friends sharing one vehicle.

You are not required to multiply a fixed figure mechanically.

The purpose is to provide a fair gesture relative to the service received.

Group Safari Tipping

On a scheduled group safari, individual travelers normally contribute smaller amounts because the guide is serving several people.

The combined gratuity from the group may still become substantial.

Travelers should avoid feeling pressured by what others contribute.

Give an amount that feels appropriate to you.

Group members sometimes agree on a shared tip and present it together, which is perfectly acceptable.

Tipping Safari Lodge Staff

Safari lodges employ many people whom guests may never meet directly.

Behind your room and meals are housekeepers, chefs, kitchen assistants, gardeners, maintenance teams and other staff.

For this reason, many lodges maintain a communal staff tipping box.

This is often the easiest and fairest way to tip the wider team.

Instead of tipping every waiter, housekeeper and employee individually, guests place a single amount in the box when checking out.

The lodge distributes it according to its internal system.

A general guideline might be around US$5–US$15 per traveler per day for the lodge staff pool, depending on service level and property category.

This remains discretionary.

Should You Tip Waiters Separately?

If a lodge has a communal tipping box, it may not be necessary.

However, if a particular waiter, bartender or member of staff provides exceptional personal service, you may choose to tip that person directly.

At urban restaurants, hotels and cafes, different local customs may apply.

Always check whether a service charge has already been added to the bill.

Tipping at Luxury Safari Lodges

Luxury properties sometimes create uncertainty because guests assume gratuity is already covered by the high room rate.

That is not necessarily the case.

A luxury safari rate pays for accommodation, meals, activities and service infrastructure. It does not automatically mean individual staff receive a personal gratuity.

Many premium lodges provide their own tipping guidelines.

Guests may encounter separate recommendations for:

Private guide

Butler

Lodge staff pool

Specialist staff

Follow the lodge’s policy where available.

Tipping at Budget and Mid-Range Lodges

Tipping can be just as appreciated at budget and mid-range lodges.

You do not need to tip luxury-level amounts.

The quality of service matters more than the room price.

A warm, attentive team at a simple lodge may contribute significantly to your safari.

Gorilla Trekking Tipping Guide

Gorilla trekking has one of the more complicated tipping structures because several people may contribute to the experience.

Depending on the destination and activity, your trekking team may include:

Ranger guide

Trackers

Security personnel

Porter

Other support staff

You are not expected to hand money randomly to everyone in the forest.

Your safari company or park staff can explain the normal system.

Tipping Your Gorilla Trekking Porter

Hiring a porter during gorilla trekking is highly recommended.

A porter can carry your daypack, help on steep trails and provide stability on muddy or slippery sections.

A typical tip for good porter service may be around US$10–US$20, although guests may choose more after a particularly difficult trek or exceptional assistance.

Remember that the porter hire fee and the tip are different.

The hiring fee pays for the service.

The gratuity is an additional voluntary expression of appreciation.

Why Hiring a Gorilla Porter Matters

Travelers sometimes decline a porter because they only carry a light backpack.

However, gorilla trekking can change quickly.

A trail that appears easy at the beginning may become steep, muddy or overgrown.

Porters are familiar with the terrain and can provide extremely valuable assistance.

Hiring porters also creates direct economic benefits for people living near protected areas.

For many visitors, it is one of the most meaningful forms of tourism spending associated with gorilla trekking.

Tipping Gorilla Trekking Rangers and Trackers

Ranger guides lead visitors through the forest, explain gorilla behavior and ensure trekking regulations are followed.

Trackers may spend considerable time locating gorilla groups before visitors arrive.

If you wish to tip the ranger and tracking team, ask your operator or lead ranger about the appropriate method.

In some situations, the lead guide may collect a group gratuity and distribute it among the relevant team.

This is usually easier than trying to identify every person individually.

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tipping

For gorilla trekking in Uganda, travelers may trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

The trekking day normally begins with a park briefing followed by assignment to a gorilla family and ranger team.

Hiring a personal porter is recommended.

Your safari driver-guide will normally be separate from the park trekking staff.

Therefore, remember that your safari guide’s final trip gratuity and the gorilla trekking gratuities are separate.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tipping

The same general principle applies to gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

Visitors interact with park guides, trackers and porters in addition to their private safari driver or transfer guide.

Your lodge or safari operator can explain current local tipping norms.

Because Rwanda gorilla trips are often relatively short, travelers sometimes overlook tipping their driver-guide. Consider the service provided even if the itinerary only lasts several days.

Chimpanzee Trekking Tipping

Chimpanzee trekking experiences in Uganda and Rwanda also involve specialist forest guides and trackers.

A small group gratuity after a rewarding trek is generally appreciated.

For chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, your safari driver-guide usually delivers you to the park briefing area but does not necessarily lead the forest trek.

The forest guide and your safari driver should therefore be considered separately.

Golden Monkey Trekking Tipping

Golden monkey trekking in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park involves specialist park personnel.

As with gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, a modest gratuity can be given at the end for good service.

Tipping on Walking Safaris

Walking safaris require specialist guides because travelers leave the security of a vehicle and experience wildlife on foot.

Depending on the country and park, walks may involve an armed ranger in addition to a naturalist guide.

A tip can be shared among the guiding team or given according to the lodge’s recommended system.

Because walking guides carry significant responsibility for guest safety, excellent service deserves recognition.

Boat Safari Tipping

Boat safaris are highlights in many African destinations.

In Uganda, visitors may cruise the Kazinga Channel or travel along the Nile in Murchison Falls National Park.

Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe also offer exceptional water-based safari activities.

The boat crew may include a captain and wildlife guide.

A modest gratuity after the activity is appreciated when service is good.

Tipping on Hot-Air Balloon Safaris

Hot-air balloon experiences frequently involve several staff members, including the pilot and ground crew.

Some companies provide specific tipping guidelines.

If no recommendation is given, a voluntary gratuity can be offered to the crew after the flight.

Tipping Airport Transfer Drivers

A short airport transfer requires a much smaller gratuity than a multi-day safari guide.

For a straightforward transfer, travelers may give approximately US$3–US$10, depending on distance, luggage assistance and quality of service.

Long transfers involving several hours of driving may justify more.

Tipping Hotel Porters

For assistance with luggage at hotels and lodges, a small amount is appropriate.

This might be the equivalent of a few US dollars depending on the number of bags and local currency.

Do not feel that every minor interaction requires a tip.

Safari travel should not become an exhausting process of distributing cash constantly.

Tipping Local Cultural Guides

Community walks, village visits, coffee experiences and cultural tours may involve independent local guides.

Where the activity price does not already include gratuity, guests can tip according to the length and quality of the experience.

Responsible community tourism works best when payments are transparent.

Guests should avoid handing large amounts directly to children or creating expectations around begging.

Should You Tip in US Dollars or Local Currency?

Both can be acceptable in many safari destinations.

For larger gratuities, clean US-dollar notes may be convenient.

For smaller tips, local currency is often easier for the recipient to use immediately.

The practical answer depends on your destination.

Ask your safari operator before traveling.

If using foreign currency, carry notes in good physical condition because damaged or very old notes can sometimes be difficult to exchange.

How Much Cash Should You Bring for Tips?

Estimate your tipping budget before departure.

For example, consider:

Number of safari days

Driver-guide gratuity

Number of lodges

Gorilla trekking

Porters

Chimpanzee trekking

Boat activities

Airport transfers

Special guides

Then add a small contingency.

This is much easier than searching for an ATM in a remote safari destination.

Should Safari Tips Be Included in the Tour Price?

Generally, no.

Because a gratuity should reflect personal satisfaction, it is normally excluded from the safari package.

If gratuities were compulsory and automatically included, they would essentially become another service fee.

Some high-end properties may include certain service charges, so always check the itinerary.

Are Tips Taxed or Subject to Fees?

Direct cash gratuities generally avoid card-processing issues for the recipient.

Some lodges allow guests to add gratuities to their card bill, but processing or administrative systems vary.

If you want your tip to reach a specific individual directly, cash can be simpler.

When Should You Tip?

The best time is usually at the conclusion of the relevant service.

Tip your main safari guide on your final day together.

Contribute to a lodge tipping box when checking out.

Tip your gorilla porter after returning from the trek.

Tip a specialist activity guide after completing the activity.

This keeps the relationship professional and allows the gratuity to reflect the complete service.

Should You Tip at the Beginning of a Safari?

Usually not.

There is no need to provide an advance tip to encourage good service.

A professional safari guide should deliver excellent service regardless.

Advance tipping can create awkward expectations.

Wait until the service has been completed unless there is a particular local reason to do otherwise.

How Should You Give the Tip?

There is no complicated ceremony required.

For a personal guide, you can simply hand over an envelope or cash and express your thanks.

For lodge staff, use the official gratuity box where one is provided.

For trekking teams, ask the lead guide how gratuities are normally distributed.

A sincere thank-you often means as much as the money itself.

Should Couples Tip Individually?

No.

Couples can give one combined gratuity.

There is no reason each traveler needs to prepare separate envelopes unless they prefer to.

The same applies to families.

How Should Families Calculate Tips?

Families often wonder whether children’s presence means gratuities should be multiplied by the full number of travelers.

There is no strict formula.

Consider the service provided to the family as a whole.

A guide who has gone to extra effort to keep children interested and comfortable may deserve particular appreciation.

How Should Large Groups Tip?

Large groups should be careful not to multiply per-person suggestions into an unnecessarily extreme amount.

Instead, agree on a reasonable group gratuity.

Safari companies can advise on an appropriate range.

Tipping When Service Is Exceptional

Exceptional service may include situations where a guide:

Handles a medical issue calmly

Helps recover lost luggage

Makes major itinerary adjustments

Assists through difficult border procedures

Finds specialized wildlife requested by guests

Supports a traveler with mobility concerns

Provides outstanding wildlife interpretation

Works unusually long hours because of unforeseen circumstances

In such cases, guests may choose to tip above the normal guideline.

What If Service Is Poor?

You are not obligated to reward poor service.

If a serious issue occurs, discuss it with the lodge manager or safari company.

Withholding or reducing the gratuity is reasonable when service has genuinely failed expectations.

However, distinguish between poor service and circumstances outside a staff member’s control.

Your guide cannot control rain.

A guide cannot guarantee a leopard sighting.

A gorilla tracker cannot control where gorillas move.

A lodge cannot prevent every temporary electricity interruption in a remote wilderness location.

Evaluate professionalism rather than expecting nature to behave according to schedule.

Never Tip for Illegal or Unethical Wildlife Behavior

Do not offer guides additional money to:

Drive off designated roads illegally

Approach wildlife too closely

Harass animals for photographs

Break park rules

Feed wildlife

Ignore gorilla trekking regulations

Stay beyond permitted viewing times

Responsible safari tourism depends on respecting conservation rules.

A guide who refuses to break regulations is doing the right thing.

Tipping and Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photographers sometimes ask guides to spend long periods at particular sightings.

On private safaris, this is generally possible within park regulations and logistical limits.

If your guide has made an exceptional effort to help you achieve specialized photographic goals, you may wish to reflect this in your final gratuity.

Never pressure guides to compromise wildlife welfare for a photograph.

Tipping in Uganda

Uganda’s tourism industry involves a particularly wide range of staff because itineraries frequently combine savannah safaris, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, boat trips and community experiences.

A typical traveler may tip:

Private driver-guide

Gorilla trekking porter

Gorilla ranger team

Chimpanzee guide

Lodge staff

Boat crew

Special activity guides

The easiest approach is to create a tipping budget before the safari and ask your operator for guidance.

Tipping in Kenya

On a Kenya safari, the main gratuity is typically for your driver-guide or safari guide.

Lodges and tented camps may maintain communal staff boxes.

Private conservancies may use specialist guides in addition to transfer drivers, so check how responsibilities are divided.

Tipping in Tanzania

On a Tanzania safari, travelers commonly tip driver-guides, lodge staff and specialist guides.

Long northern-circuit safaris mean guests may spend many days with the same guide.

At the end of such a journey, a meaningful gratuity is a traditional way to recognize excellent service.

Travelers climbing Kilimanjaro should note that mountain trekking has its own distinctive tipping system involving guides, assistant guides, cooks and porters and should not simply use conventional safari tipping figures.

Tipping in Rwanda

Rwanda safaris are often centered around Volcanoes National Park, Kigali and Akagera.

Travelers may interact with:

Driver-guide

Gorilla trekking team

Porter

Golden monkey guides

Lodge staff

Akagera safari guides

Again, treat these as separate services where appropriate.

Tipping in Botswana

Botswana’s safari structure differs because many travelers fly between remote camps.

Each camp may have its own guide and staff team.

Guests therefore often tip at each property before departing rather than waiting until the end of the entire vacation.

Camp management normally provides recommendations.

Tipping in South Africa

Tipping culture in South Africa is relatively established.

Private safari lodges may have recommendations for both ranger and tracker.

Restaurants and hotels may follow urban South African tipping customs rather than safari-specific guidelines.

Ask the property when uncertain.

Tipping in Zambia and Zimbabwe

Walking safaris and remote camps are particularly important in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Guests often interact closely with naturalist guides and camp teams.

Individual lodge guidelines are usually the most useful reference.

Safari Guide vs Tracker: What Is the Difference?

A guide typically leads the guest experience.

A tracker specializes in detecting signs of wildlife and helping locate animals.

In some southern African private reserves, guide and tracker work together during game drives.

In East African road safaris, your driver-guide frequently performs both guiding and wildlife-searching responsibilities.

Understanding these roles helps explain why tipping systems vary.

Safari Guide vs Driver

On many East African private safaris, the driver and guide are the same person.

Do not assume you need two separate gratuities.

The driver-guide operates the vehicle while also providing wildlife interpretation and managing logistics.

On some fly-in safaris, however, transfer drivers and resident lodge guides are separate.

Why Safari Guides Deserve Recognition

Excellent guides spend years developing their knowledge.

They learn:

Animal behavior

Bird identification

Plant ecology

Road networks

Seasonal wildlife movement

Park regulations

Guest safety

Vehicle recovery

Photography positioning

Communication

Hospitality

Their work also involves long days.

Early-morning game drives can begin before sunrise, followed by transfers and afternoon activities.

A thoughtful tip recognizes this effort.

Tipping Is Only One Way to Show Appreciation

Money is valuable, but there are other ways to support excellent staff.

Write a positive review mentioning your guide by name.

Send constructive feedback to the safari company.

Recommend the guide or company to friends.

Share photographs with staff when appropriate.

A detailed online review can help a professional guide’s career long after your trip is finished.

Should You Bring Gifts for Safari Staff?

Gifts are not necessary.

Cash gratuities are generally more useful because recipients can decide how to spend them.

If you develop a personal connection with someone and want to provide a small gift, that is your choice.

Avoid replacing normal compensation with unwanted items simply because they seem generous.

Do Not Give Gifts to Children Randomly

Travelers sometimes arrive with sweets, pens, clothing or other items to hand directly to children.

Although well intentioned, random distribution can encourage begging and create inequality.

If you want to support a school or community project, coordinate through a reputable organization or local partner.

Responsible tourism aims to create sustainable benefits.

Creating Your Safari Tipping Budget

Before departure, make a simple estimate.

Imagine a 10-day Uganda safari for two travelers.

You might budget separately for:

Main driver-guide

Lodge staff

Gorilla trekking porter

Gorilla trekking ranger team

Chimpanzee guide

Boat crew

Airport assistance

You do not need exact envelopes prepared for every possible interaction.

Simply carry enough flexibility to reward good service.

Example Tipping Framework

The following figures are best viewed as broad guidelines rather than rules:

Private safari driver-guide: approximately US$10–US$20 per traveler per day for good service.

Lodge staff pool: around US$5–US$15 per traveler per day where appropriate.

Gorilla trekking porter: approximately US$10–US$20 or more depending on service and trekking difficulty.

Specialist trekking or activity guides: a modest group or individual gratuity according to service length.

Airport transfer: a few dollars for short transfers, more for long or particularly helpful services.

Local recommendations and lodge guidelines should always take priority.

What Currency Should You Prepare?

For an East African multi-country safari, a combination of local currency and suitable US-dollar notes is often practical.

Use local currency for smaller tips.

Reserve larger denomination foreign currency for main guides if convenient.

Avoid expecting safari staff to accept damaged banknotes.

Your operator can advise which currencies are easiest in each destination.

Should You Use Envelopes?

Envelopes are useful for main guides and can make the exchange more discreet.

They are not compulsory.

Some travelers include a brief handwritten thank-you note.

For a guide who has accompanied you for a week or longer, this personal gesture can be particularly appreciated.

Avoid Making Tipping Stressful

The purpose of tipping is appreciation.

Do not spend your safari constantly worrying whether every dollar amount is correct.

There is no universally enforced African safari tipping tariff.

Different travelers have different financial circumstances.

Different countries have different norms.

Different services require different levels of effort.

Use published figures as a guide, observe local recommendations and make a fair decision.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tipping on Safari

Is tipping compulsory on an African safari?

No. Tipping is generally discretionary, although it is customary in many safari destinations.

How much should I tip my safari guide?

A broad guideline for private safari guiding is around US$10–US$20 per traveler per day for good service, although circumstances vary.

Do I tip my safari guide per person or per couple?

Either method is acceptable. Couples commonly provide one combined gratuity.

Do I need to tip lodge staff?

If service has been good, contributing to a communal staff tipping box is a convenient way to thank the wider team.

How much do I tip a gorilla trekking porter?

Approximately US$10–US$20 is a useful general planning range, with flexibility according to trek difficulty and service quality.

Are gorilla porters already paid?

You normally pay a porter hire fee. A gratuity at the end is separate and voluntary.

Should I tip gorilla trackers?

Travelers often choose to tip the ranger and tracking team. Ask the lead guide how gratuities should be distributed.

Should I tip in dollars?

US dollars are often convenient for larger tips in East Africa, while local currency is useful for small gratuities. Ask your operator about current local practices.

When should I tip my driver-guide?

Usually at the end of your safari together.

Do I tip after every game drive?

Not if the same guide accompanies you for several days. One gratuity at the end is easier.

Should I tip if wildlife sightings are poor?

Assess the guide’s professionalism rather than the number of animals seen. Wildlife is unpredictable.

Can I tip by credit card?

Some lodges allow this, but cash is often easier for individual staff. Ask the property.

Should children count when calculating tips?

There is no strict formula. Families can provide one gratuity based on the overall service.

Do luxury safaris include tips?

Not necessarily. Check the property’s policy.

Should I tip a bad guide?

Tipping is voluntary. Serious service issues should be reported to the operator or lodge manager.

Safari Tipping with Adventure in the Wild Safaris

When traveling with Adventure in the Wild Safaris, our team can provide destination-specific tipping guidance before or during your trip.

Our safari itineraries may include Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania, with experiences ranging from traditional wildlife game drives to mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey trekking, birding safaris and boat cruises.

Because every itinerary is different, the staff involved may differ as well.

A short gorilla safari has a different tipping structure from a 14-day Uganda wildlife circuit.

Likewise, a Kenya–Tanzania safari may involve different guides if vehicles cannot operate across particular borders.

For this reason, it is better to ask about your actual itinerary than rely on one universal formula.

Final Thoughts on Tipping During an African Safari

A safari is built by people.

The wildlife may be the reason you travel to Africa, but guides, drivers, trackers, porters, lodge staff and conservation professionals make it possible for you to experience that wildlife safely and meaningfully.

Your safari guide may be awake before you each morning.

Your housekeeper prepares your room while you are on a game drive.

The kitchen team begins breakfast before sunrise.

Trackers enter forests early to help locate gorillas.

Porters spend their days helping visitors across difficult mountain terrain.

Boat crews navigate rivers while interpreting wildlife.

All of these people contribute to the journey.

A gratuity is one way to say thank you.

It should never become a compulsory fee or a source of anxiety.

Budget for tips before you travel, carry practical denominations, follow local guidance and reward good service according to your means.

If someone has transformed your safari through exceptional knowledge, patience or kindness, acknowledge that effort.

And remember that appreciation does not end with cash.

A warm thank-you, a recommendation and a positive review naming an outstanding guide can have lasting value.

Approach African safari tipping with generosity, fairness and common sense, and the process becomes simple.

Tip because you genuinely appreciated the service—not because you were pressured to do so.

That is the spirit in which safari gratuities are best given.