Tipping Guide

[Rare Breed]

Yes that is correct. I generally calculate my tip as a dollar amount per day, per person.

The combined total tip was 18% of the Hunt cost before tip. Those hunt costs include daily rate, trophy fees, airport transfer, ranger fees, VAT on day rate - trophy fees - non export fee, and conservation Levy.

Because I calculate my tip on a per day basis, the percentage changes from Hunt to Hunt.

My 2023 Mozambique buffalo hunt tip was 20% of hunt costs.

I’ll be on a Buffalo Hunt in Mozambique this fall, but as a 2x1 with a good friend. So my tip for this Hunt should be about 25% of the Hunt fees to the outfitter.

I’m calculating my tip for my 2026 Zimbabwe double tuskless hunt as 16%.

So the tip percentage changes from Hunt to Hunt, depending upon hunt cost and if I get a deal. Better deal, higher tip percentage. But still based on a daily tip rate.

Also keep in mind this is for DG only. I’ve never done a PG Hunt so I cannot comment on what I would do for tips on that.

Chase

I do the same...my tips are on a per day basis that I set up on an excel spreadsheet before I even go on the hunt. I only ask my outfitters how many people on my hunt including staff...I want jobs not to be annal but 3 trackers, 1 driver, 2 housekeepers, one lodge manager, 1 cook, etc. I then build my tips per day and come up with my total tip. It does vary by hunt given this...a PG hunt is much cheaper in a tip than a DG hunt.

 

[Rare Breed]

I do the same...my tips are on a per day basis that I set up on an excel spreadsheet before I even go on the hunt. I only ask my outfitters how many people on my hunt including staff...I want jobs not to be annal but 3 trackers, 1 driver, 2 housekeepers, one lodge manager, 1 cook, etc. I then build my tips per day and come up with my total tip. It does vary by hunt given this...a PG hunt is much cheaper in a tip than a DG hunt.

I thought everyone might like to see my excel sheet I build for each hunt. This one is for a 14 day leopard hunt with total cost about $20,000. My tips add up to $3,800. Now notice I have a lot of people in Zim when you hunt in my case 5 trackers and two government scouts as examples. This came out to 19% of my hunt. If it had been a PG hunt the tips would have been $2,800 and probably more like 14% of the cost for the hunt. Just me.

 

[crossfire3006]

Fantastic article! There were a number of points I hadn't even thought about.

 

[gearguywb]

This is what my outfitter recommended for our upcoming trip. Buffalo and a bit of plains game:

1. Lodge staff, skinning staff and trackers - $50-$70 for the week
2. Lodge management and apprentice ph - $100-$500 for the week
3. PH - $ 150-$200 per day

 

[SplitHoof]

On our safari last week, I simply added 20% of the safari cost (not including airfare or other expenses not related to his activity) to the wire transfer, and asked him to dispense as he saw fit. I did give $$ dollars in cash to the two trackers who rode around with us for all the hunting days, and for picking up and delivering back to the airport at Kimberly.
The other ca$h tips I dispensed were for our pre-arranged firearms helpers, day-driver in Joberg, and the hotel room maid. There was no need for us to bring a lot of cash other than these tips, as everything else was on our card. This was all very easy.

 

[avon_7]

What are people's views on tipping in countries where Tipping is not customary. NZ and Australia for example?
We hosted a Russian just recently for a Buffalo hunt and he didn't tip at all. He didn't give us any feedback good or bad so it left me wondering, did he just believe we dont tip in Australia? Locals certainly dont tip each other. We have a very high minimum legal wage which probably accounts for that.

 

[RedTag]

What are people's views on tipping in countries where Tipping is not customary. NZ and Australia for example?
We hosted a Russian just recently for a Buffalo hunt and he didn't tip at all. He didn't give us any feedback good or bad so it left me wondering, did he just believe we dont tip in Australia? Locals certainly dont tip each other. We have a very high minimum legal wage which probably accounts for that.

That’s a good question. I spent several seasons guiding fishing trips in Alaska years ago. I had many clients from Australia and New Zealand, and they generally didn’t tip. That didn’t bother me much to be honest. Those folks were never afraid of bears, or bugs, or mud, or any sort of danger, and they were usually a barrel of fun to be out with. I remember one time when an older gentleman from Australia did (very surreptitiously) tip me a $5 bill and said he’d like to buy me a beer. I routinely got tips in the hundreds of dollars from high maintenance American clients, but that $5 from an Australian was one of my most memorable tips and he was a great sport.

 

[Paul Homsy]

What are people's views on tipping in countries where Tipping is not customary. NZ and Australia for example?
We hosted a Russian just recently for a Buffalo hunt and he didn't tip at all. He didn't give us any feedback good or bad so it left me wondering, did he just believe we dont tip in Australia? Locals certainly dont tip each other. We have a very high minimum legal wage which probably accounts for that.

The high minimum wage certainly accounts for that but tipping is important regardless. Perhaps adjusted to local systems but tipping nevertheless.

 

[Paul Homsy]

That’s a good question. I spent several seasons guiding fishing trips in Alaska years ago. I had many clients from Australia and New Zealand, and they generally didn’t tip. That didn’t bother me much to be honest. Those folks were never afraid of bears, or bugs, or mud, or any sort of danger, and they were usually a barrel of fun to be out with. I remember one time when an older gentleman from Australia did (very surreptitiously) tip me a $5 bill and said he’d like to buy me a beer. I routinely got tips in the hundreds of dollars from high maintenance American clients, but that $5 from an Australian was one of my most memorable tips and he was a great sport.

You're a good sport. Your clients knew perfectly well that tips exist in the U.S. No tips on Alaskan trips is lamentable. Just thought I'd give my unfiltered opinion.

 

[avon_7]

As an Aussie I always tip on overseas hunts. Unless the hunt was terrible, its downright rude not to.

 

[SplitHoof]

^^^I think that largely depends on where the client is from. They may see the contracted price as the final cost, in addition to trophy taxidermy. In some countries tipping is not normal. I generally tip very well when I have a satisfying experience, but am judicious on who exactly I give the tip to.

 

[Paul Homsy]

As an Aussie I always tip on overseas hunts. Unless the hunt was terrible, its downright rude not to.

I agree.

 

[revturbo9967]

That’s a good question. I spent several seasons guiding fishing trips in Alaska years ago. I had many clients from Australia and New Zealand, and they generally didn’t tip. That didn’t bother me much to be honest. Those folks were never afraid of bears, or bugs, or mud, or any sort of danger, and they were usually a barrel of fun to be out with. I remember one time when an older gentleman from Australia did (very surreptitiously) tip me a $5 bill and said he’d like to buy me a beer. I routinely got tips in the hundreds of dollars from high maintenance American clients, but that $5 from an Australian was one of my most memorable tips and he was a great sport.

Tipping on an ak hunt should be automatic in my opinion, unless the owner/operator is your guide, then I can see some not wanting to. From what I’ve seen, the money from these extreme cost hunts all go to the operators and very little goes to the guide, who at the end of the day is the one doing a ton of work. I understand the operators have a ton of overhead with aircraft, property, paying pilots, food, and others, but the guide is still the one who gets it done for the client.

Tipping should still be based on quality of experience, but in most cases, whose guides work their tails off.

 

[deewayne2003]

As an Aussie I always tip on overseas hunts. Unless the hunt was terrible, its downright rude not to.

Having spent months traveling around your big damn island I can honestly say I rather enjoy your system of tip less culture in OZ.

Maybe a dollar per round of drinks at the pub or buy the bar man a pint “to enjoy later”; the service at restaurants and pubs seems superior in quality to what the USA has become….. the exception being on dive boats out of Cairns; the European dive guides would shamelessly hound the entire boat for tips with drawn out speeches about how hard they work.

Having said that I do believe it’s rude not to tip excellent service but the % has continued to increase in foreign destinations like in Costa Rica where I like to fish, 15 years ago 10% tip to the deck hands would have them genuinely excited now there are often signs on the boats stating 20% is expected.

 

[HankBuck]

Tipping on an ak hunt should be automatic in my opinion, unless the owner/operator is your guide, then I can see some not wanting to. From what I’ve seen, the money from these extreme cost hunts all go to the operators and very little goes to the guide, who at the end of the day is the one doing a ton of work. I understand the operators have a ton of overhead with aircraft, property, paying pilots, food, and others, but the guide is still the one who gets it done for the client.

Tipping should still be based on quality of experience, but in most cases, whose guides work their tails off.

@revturbo9967 - AGREE with Tipping the Guide and usually Not tipping “Owner Operator”. If the Owner/Operator IS the Guide - a tip would be appropriate but likely smaller ie: a few $100—-less then 5% etc..

 

[SplitHoof]

Having said that I do believe it’s rude not to tip excellent service but the % has continued to increase in foreign destinations like in Costa Rica where I like to fish, 15 years ago 10% tip to the deck hands would have them genuinely excited now there are often signs on the boats stating 20% is expected.

And IMO this is the problem: Tipping culture has gotten out of control, to the point that many of us have become disgusted with it in all manners. When I stand at a service counter in an eatery to order the food that I will have to walk back up to get, when I must fill my own drink cup, and Im reminded to place the tray over there, there should be NO expectation from the “order takers” that I’ll leave anything extra. But yet, they spin their little payment screen around and remind me that “there is a question to be answered” before inserting a card into the machine. However, they look disappointed when instead I hand them exact change in cash, and no tip is offered. So…how does this relate to safari and travel tipping?…it’s a sense of migration, or a form of creep, that the expectation is defined, and no negotiation of a nice gesture is acceptable, and the service provider defines what the amount should be. That “tip fatigue” is catching on to other avenues that should be rewarded is unfortunate, but everyone having their hand out at every turn has ruined it for those who truly earn it.
Just my 2 cents, as always.

 

[deewayne2003]

And IMO this is the problem: Tipping culture has gotten out of control, to the point that many of us have become disgusted with it in all manners. When I stand at a service counter in an eatery to order the food that I will have to walk back up to get, when I must fill my own drink cup, and Im reminded to place the tray over there, there should be NO expectation from the “order takers” that I’ll leave anything extra. But yet, they spin their little payment screen around and remind me that “there is a question to be answered” before inserting a card into the machine. However, they look disappointed when instead I hand them exact change in cash, and no tip is offered. So…how does this relate to safari and travel tipping?…it’s a sense of migration, or a form of creep, that the expectation is defined, and no negotiation of a nice gesture is acceptable, and the service provider defines what the amount should be. That “tip fatigue” is catching on to other avenues that should be rewarded is unfortunate, but everyone having their hand out at every turn has ruined it for those who truly earn it.
Just my 2 cents, as always.

Agreed!.... I got my oil changed the other day and got the "There is a question for you" treatment.

I do agree in tipping for good service but find it perplexing when people from other countries that don't tip American bartenders and waiters then expect to be tipped hundreds if not thousands of dollars in their country where tipping is against the culture or on a much smaller scale.

Again I pay tips for great service and received excellent service on my one and only African hunt thus far, but was rather taken aback at the number of people who expected tips. I was told it was completely at my discretion but following the guidelines set forth by other people had me dropping north of $3K which is more than I spent on round trip airfare.

When you spend more on tips than airfare - something is misaligned.

 

[SplitHoof]

Agreed!.... I got my oil changed the other day and got the "There is a question for you" treatment…
I was told it was completely at my discretion but following the guidelines set forth by other people had me dropping north of $3K which is more than I spent on round trip airfare.

When you spend more on tips than airfare - something is misaligned.

Exactly, and why I’m inclined to tip less and less as I get older.
I will continue to tip our outfitter well for his services, as he is also the PH. He can distribute it as he sees fit. He knows what goes on behind the scenes, not me.
Lastly, I give a small tip to the guys who help me with firearms, etc. But that’s it, no others after that.

 

[HankBuck]

And IMO this is the problem: Tipping culture has gotten out of control, to the point that many of us have become disgusted with it in all manners. When I stand at a service counter in an eatery to order the food that I will have to walk back up to get, when I must fill my own drink cup, and Im reminded to place the tray over there, there should be NO expectation from the “order takers” that I’ll leave anything extra. But yet, they spin their little payment screen around and remind me that “there is a question to be answered” before inserting a card into the machine. However, they look disappointed when instead I hand them exact change in cash, and no tip is offered. So…how does this relate to safari and travel tipping?…it’s a sense of migration, or a form of creep, that the expectation is defined, and no negotiation of a nice gesture is acceptable, and the service provider defines what the amount should be. That “tip fatigue” is catching on to other avenues that should be rewarded is unfortunate, but everyone having their hand out at every turn has ruined it for those who truly earn it.
Just my 2 cents, as always.

@SplitHoof - with your attitude about tipping - guessing you were born before 1980 and likely older ——- I AGREE with YOU and the Older I get the “grumpier” I get. I tip generously - often over tip based on %s recommended but it’s got to be MY DECISION —- Not what is “recommended”. I actually enjoy when you pay for something in a Retail store and before you pay they ask (or “prompt”) “Would you like to round UP $$” and I say “NO but I’d like your store to ROUND DOWN” that usually gets a very confused look on the cashier face —- same when asked if I’d like to donate to the charity-of-the-minute…Seems everyone today is trying to get into My Wallet !!

 

[Andrew62]

Agreed!.... I got my oil changed the other day and got the "There is a question for you" treatment.

I had that same thing happen recently, got oiled changed in my pickup, guy seriously asked me 3 times for a tip. I can't wrap my head around that.