How to Tip Your Safari and Kilimanjaro Crew in Tanzania: 2025 Guide

Whether you’re planning to summit Mount Kilimanjaro or experience an unforgettable Tanzania safari, it’s essential to recognize the team that makes your journey possible. Your driver-guide is instrumental in delivering an exceptional safari experience, and on Kilimanjaro, the porters, cook, and mountain guides are crucial to your success in reaching the peak. At Mateys Wild Tours, we take pride in providing top-tier service, ensuring every guest receives the highest level of professionalism and care throughout their adventure. This guide is designed to help you understand tipping practices for safaris in Tanzania, while also highlighting options such as having a professional company photographer to document your journey with high-quality photos and videos. For more details on safari costs, please refer to our comprehensive guide.

Tipping Guidelines for Safari Guides and Drivers

When you enjoy a safari adventure, the expertise and dedication of your guide and driver are instrumental in making your experience truly memorable. Tipping them after your journey is customary and reflects your appreciation for their exceptional service. While there is no fixed amount, it is advisable to consider the duration of your safari, the quality of service provided, and the average income of local workers when determining an appropriate tip. We recommend the following tipping guidelines:

Tipping is highly encouraged as it supports the livelihoods of those who enhance your adventure.

Safari and driver guide: $10-20 per person per day or more;
Extra Safari guide for other language apart from English: $10-20 per person
Safari cinematographer for your documentary (upon request and availability): $20 per group per day.

2: Tipping guidelines for Kilimanjaro Crew.

Porters, cooks, and guides are the backbone of any successful Kilimanjaro trek, providing essential support, safety, and local knowledge that elevate the experience. Booking with an ethical company like Mateys Wild Tours ensures that these vital crew members are treated fairly, paid a living wage, and work under safe conditions, as outlined by the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP). While ethical trekking may come at a premium, it guarantees responsible tourism that respects both the environment and the local communities. Mateys Wild Tours is currently under KPAP surveillance and is on track to become one of KPAP’s strongest supporters, ensuring that clients embark on their adventure with a company that values integrity and sustainability.

Tips for porters: $10-15 per porter day

One summit Porter: $10-15 pay Extra for summit / group

Tips for cook: $15-20 per day / group

Tips for guide: $20-25 per guide per day / group

Transfer Driver: $20-25 per group / transfer.

Tipping Practices in National Parks and Safari Lodges

When visiting Tanzania’s world-renowned national parks and safari lodges, you will encounter a range of dedicated staff members who work tirelessly to ensure your comfort and enjoyment. From park rangers to lodge personnel, their efforts play a significant role in enhancing your overall experience. Offering a gratuity is a thoughtful way to acknowledge their hard work and dedication. Many lodges provide tipping jars in common areas for the convenience of guests, making it easy to show your appreciation in a meaningful way.

Hotel staff: It is common to tip around $1 to $2 per bag for porters and $5 to $10 per day for housekeeping staff.
Restaurant staff: A tip of 5-10% of the total bill is appreciated, especially in more upscale lodges or restaurants.
Park Rangers for Walking Safaris: A tip of $10 to $20 per group is generally appropriate, depending on the length and quality of the experience

Tipping Etiquette for Tour Guides and City Transfers.

Tipping is a thoughtful way to show appreciation for the services provided by your tour guide or city transfer driver during your travels in Tanzania. Whether you are on an airport pickup in destinations like Arusha, Moshi, or Iringa, gratuities are highly valued and help to sustain fair compensation for these service providers. As a guest, it’s important to honor local customs by offering tips that recognize the dedication and effort of those ensuring your journey is smooth and enjoyable. This practice also contributes to their livelihood in a meaningful way. In bustling Dar es Salaam or during a guided tour of Stone Town in Zanzibar, tipping your guide or driver is equally appreciated and reflects your respect for their work.

Pick-up and Drop-off Driver: It’s common to tip around $10- $20 per transfer, depending on the length of the journey and the level of service provided.
Sightseeing and City Tour Guide: For a city tour or sightseeing guide, tipping around $10 to $20 per day is standard, depending on the quality of the tour and the guide’s knowledge and service.

NOTE.

To ensure your tip reaches the intended staff member, it’s best to place it directly in a tipping jar or hand it to the individual. Avoid leaving cash unattended or relying on intermediaries, as this can lead to misunderstandings or misplacements. Directly offering your tip ensures it is promptly received by the deserving staff member, allowing you to express your appreciation for their service clearly and respectfully. While tipping is not mandatory, it is a meaningful token of gratitude for their dedication to your safety and comfort throughout the journey, and even a small gratuity can positively impact their livelihoods.