Last updated 14 August 2026 · 10 min read
Tipping is expected in Tanzanian tourism and it is a meaningful part of what crews earn. The short version, which is what we tell guests at the pre-trip briefing:
| Who | How much | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Safari guide | USD 25 to 40 per day | From the group as a whole, not per person |
| Camp or lodge staff | USD 10 to 20 per day | Into the communal tip box, from the group |
| Camping safari cook | USD 10 to 15 per day | From the group |
| Airport transfer driver | USD 5 to 10 | Per transfer |
| Zanzibar hotel staff | USD 2 to 5 per day | Communal box |
| Restaurant | 5 to 10 percent | If service is not already added |
| Porter with bags | USD 1 to 2 | Per bag |
Two travellers on a 7-day safari therefore budget roughly USD 250 to 400 in total tips for the group.
Why "from the group" matters
The most common mistake is calculating per person. USD 30 per person per day for a family of five is USD 1,050 in a week for one guide, far above local norms. The guide figure is what the vehicle gives collectively. Split it between yourselves however you like.
Worked examples
Couple, 7-day mid-range lodge safari • Guide: 7 days x USD 30 = USD 210 • Lodge staff: 6 nights x USD 15 = USD 90 • Airport transfers: USD 15 • Total: about USD 315 from the two of you
Family of four, 5-day camping safari • Guide: 5 x USD 35 = USD 175 • Cook: 5 x USD 12 = USD 60 • Total: about USD 235 from the four of you
Six friends, 10-day luxury safari • Guide: 10 x USD 40 = USD 400 • Camp staff: 9 nights x USD 20 = USD 180 • Total: about USD 580 from the six of you, under USD 100 each
Kilimanjaro is different, and bigger
A climb involves a whole crew, often 10 to 15 people for a small group, and tipping is a formal ceremony on the last morning. Plan for roughly USD 250 to 350 per climber for a 7 to 8 day route, distributed like this per day for the whole group:
| Role | Per day, from the group |
|---|---|
| Lead guide | USD 20 to 25 |
| Assistant guide | USD 15 |
| Cook | USD 12 to 15 |
| Each porter | USD 8 to 10 |
Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project guidelines are the benchmark and we follow them. Your climb briefing includes an exact crew list with numbers, so nobody is guessing at 4,000 metres.
Practical mechanics
- Bring US dollars in small notes. Fives, tens and twenties. Notes printed before 2009 are refused by banks in Tanzania and therefore by everyone else.
- Tanzanian shillings are fine too and often more useful to staff for daily spending.
- Envelopes help. Ask your lodge for a couple. Separate envelopes for the guide and for the communal box make it clear who receives what.
- Tip at the end, on the final morning, not daily.
- The communal box exists for a reason. It reaches the housekeepers, kitchen and night askari, who you never meet but who carried your water and watched your tent.
- Card tips are not possible. Bring cash; there are no ATMs in the Serengeti.
Is a tip compulsory?
No. It is customary and it is expected, but it is yours to decide. If service genuinely disappoints, reduce it and tell us why. If a guide was outstanding, going above the range is a real and appreciated thing, and a review that mentions him by name matters almost as much.
Do not tip with
Left-over clothing instead of money, sweets for children at village stops, or pens handed out of the car window. It creates the begging dynamic that Tanzanian guides work hard to discourage. If you want to give beyond tips, our office can point you at the school and conservation projects we actually support.
“A tip matters, but so does how it is given. Hand it to me at the end with both hands and say what you enjoyed. That is the part I tell my family about.”
Ready to turn this into a trip?
FAQ
How much should I tip a safari guide in Tanzania?+
USD 25 to 40 per day from the whole group, not per person. For a couple on a 7-day safari that is roughly USD 210 for the guide.
Is tipping per person or per group?+
Per group. Divide the daily figure among the travellers in the vehicle. Calculating per person leads to tips several times above local norms.
What currency should I tip in?+
US dollars in small notes printed after 2009, or Tanzanian shillings. Notes older than 2009 are not accepted by Tanzanian banks.
How much do you tip on Kilimanjaro?+
Roughly USD 250 to 350 per climber on a 7 to 8 day route. It is distributed at a ceremony on the last morning: about USD 20 to 25 a day for the lead guide, USD 15 for assistants, USD 12 to 15 for the cook and USD 8 to 10 for each porter, from the group.
Do I tip at lodges as well as the guide?+
Yes, USD 10 to 20 per day from the group into the communal tip box. It is shared with housekeeping, kitchen and night staff who you rarely meet.
Can I tip by card?+
No. There are no card facilities or ATMs inside the parks, so bring the cash you need with you from Arusha or the airport.
Do I tip in Zanzibar too?+
USD 2 to 5 per day into the hotel tip box, 5 to 10 percent in restaurants if service is not included, and USD 5 to 10 for a full-day boat or spice tour guide.
