If this pandemic situation normalises over the next couple of months I and my son will embark on our first visit to South Africa to hunt Cape buffalo and various plains game over a period of 10 days in February 2021. I understand that there is a culture/expectation to serve gratuities to the PH and members of his staff (both joining in on the hunt and staff at the lodgings). If we are successful and have a great time I do wish to compensate extra for this. So, what is your understanding of what is the going rates for this without being seen as cheap, but also not going totally overboard?
To give a definitive answer on how much to tip......there isn't one.
If your daily hunts start before daylight and end well after dark. Your PH has worked and tracker have worked throughout the day to get you on your animals. You feel/ experienced a very memorable hunt that met your expectations.
For a PG only hunt: (7-10 hunting days)
I agree with what several others have already said, $100.00-$150.00 USD/hunting day tip to your PH and $50.00-$75.00 USD/hunting day tip to your tracker.
Your accommodations, meals, laundry, etc are satisfactory. Seek your Outfitter's or PH's recommendations for staff tips. These tip amounts may be in Rand or USD, depending on outfitter and location.
Staying at a lodge, figure R20/day per staff member or $20-$40 USD for your entire stay. Again coordinate amount of each staff member tip with your outfitter or PH.
Skinners generally, and depending on other variables like helping with recovery of your animal(s), R20-R40 per animal or depending on total number and size of animals $10-$50 USD.
Taxidermist/taxidermist staff, if employees of your outfitter, seldom if ever get a tip. And these are the people responsible for doing your dip and ship or mounts.
I was so pleased by the work they did on my first trip, on my second trip (Again with my PH's approval and the Taxidermist's approval and recommendation) I tipped my Taxidermist R300 or R350 and each member of the taxidermy staff R220 or R240 on my second trip.
Some ideas as gifts:
Sewing kits
Hot Hands, hand and body warmers
Random school supplies for the kids
Personal small first aid kit
Firearm cleaning supplies
Unused ammo