Tipping Guide

[Csnakes03]

What is common practice when hunting with another hunter or even a small group of hunters (3 or 4)? Does everyone tip individually or do they "pool" for a "standard" tip?
My hunt next year in RSA is with 3 other guys, but only 1 PH. Its the same Outfitter I was with this last May, and I have a feeling we might have "overtipped" (we didnt feel like we did) since myself, my wife and my brother all rode in one vehicle while hunting and all had the same PH. I can see tipping cleaning staff or skinners by each hunter individually, but I'm curious what people think about my situation in general.
Thanks!

 

[Warbeast]

Cant get my head around expected tips.

I come from a culture where tipping is very uncommon plus i was raised poor, so often there was often nothing extra you could give away.

But here wages are enough to get by and most people dont rely on tips.

The tipping culture in the us is the biggest point that keeps me from visiting the us.
It just messes with my head.

Althought i get the point that a PH would be able to keep harmony if he distributes the tips to the staff and it would be fair to give a staff, thats not visible to the client but makes a great job, a piece of the cake.

I still seem to prefere the trough to hand it personally to the person that i feel deserved it.

Seems like i need another year or two to save the extra money expected as tips

 

[DonPablo]

He was sort of a ditz, but had been friendly and respectful to me and my wife and helped me bag a puku.

Was it a trophy puku?

 

[RolandtheHeadless]

All the PH said was, "Nice ram. Heavy bases."

It was a trophy for me anyway.

 

[Jonte]

well, well, well, Notg just a typical subject for restaurantes in Europe I gather. Bottom line is not just one; These categories of staff mentioned during Safaris, are they all paid by organizers or is it a fact that they work for tip? as for many restaurantes in USA, however: Tip is a form of GRATUITY, and I will NEVER EVER tip just for the sake of it. If I am happy with service rendered, I will tip, if I order a beer over counter , I will NEVER tip, if staff during a safari, that has no contact with me, I will never tip.
I just HATE the American system where some think that you HAVE to.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

well, well, well, Notg just a typical subject for restaurantes in Europe I gather. Bottom line is not just one; These categories of staff mentioned during Safaris, are they all paid by organizers or is it a fact that they work for tip? as for many restaurantes in USA, however: Tip is a form of GRATUITY, and I will NEVER EVER tip just for the sake of it. If I am happy with service rendered, I will tip, if I order a beer over counter , I will NEVER tip, if staff during a safari, that has no contact with me, I will never tip.
I just HATE the American system where some think that you HAVE to.

Many times in the USA, your tip is "shared" by the wait staff, the bar and the back of house. When you tip on your meal, tip for your beer at the bar, etc. it is often shared amongst people that have had no "contact" with you. Just fyi.

 

[coyote wacker]

I worked in a Service Oriented business in the USA for close to 3 decades in the Auto Industry plus many other business world wide. Plus I guided bear hunters for 14 years after I retired never ever accepted a tip in money or gifts. Did accecpt food and drinks that was brought to camp, we would share it together. I felt what I charged was more than enought.

Only time in my life I did accept tips was as a paper delivery boy in the 60's. I was like a dime or quarter dollar weekly for putting there paper when they wanted. Plus at Christmas as a gift for the year .
For Outfitter, Guides or a PH to tell you what they expect you to Tip is just plain wrong.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

well, well, well, Notg just a typical subject for restaurantes in Europe I gather. Bottom line is not just one; These categories of staff mentioned during Safaris, are they all paid by organizers or is it a fact that they work for tip? as for many restaurantes in USA, however: Tip is a form of GRATUITY, and I will NEVER EVER tip just for the sake of it. If I am happy with service rendered, I will tip, if I order a beer over counter , I will NEVER tip, if staff during a safari, that has no contact with me, I will never tip.
I just HATE the American system where some think that you HAVE to.

You’ll find that there are different types of outfitters who cater to different markets, and as such charge a little differently. There are a bunch of outfitters who primarily cater to the European clientele/market, whose hunts are priced a little differently and don’t expect tips because of how their hunt pricing is set-up. I’d suggest looking at and booking with an outfitter from one of the European hunting shows, or with a European hunt broker.

 

[Wilfried Wygaerden]

Thanks Jerome.I think that this artical on tipping answer all the questions that a client can have. As a PH in Africa that spent most of my time in the bush with the trackers, drivers and skinners I know how much everybody rely on the tip at the end of the hunt. It feel as if you wrote down my thoughts, just much more complete.
Andries.

My opinion is that the whole system is just good for the organisator, he knows the workers get, so he pay them less. Everybody should do his best during his work, even without tip. This works very good in Europe but it seems that the clients in other countries want to show their money, but it is ruining the possibility for a normal income to do the hunting …. Maybe I am wrong …. I will stop going hunting to Africa because of the tipping story, the last time when I was there the owner asked me for a week plainsgame and night hunt 1500 € , with 450 € included for hij wife to put my plate for dinner on the table … Even I was not asked to give it to the people, but I had to put it in enveloppes and give it to HIM … No i stay at the end of the hunt over with a vommiting feeling. It is now 4 months later and i still feel very bad about it …

 

[Charlie64]

Let me share this with you all - Mauritania, 5 day warthog hunting in 2018. This was posted on the dinning tent wall. Apologies for the photobucket logo but they spoiled my account..... Euro 175 - 190 for the whole team for a 5 day hunt!

 

[RolandtheHeadless]

I haven't read this whole thread, so apologies if my question has already been answered.

In Africa is it customary to tip the pilot of the charter aircraft that takes you to camp?

During my 42 years in Alaska, going on many fly-out hunting and fishing trips, I never tipped the pilot (who was often owner of the business). I didn't know of other Alaskans who tipped them.

I've heard recently that some passengers, especially those from out of state, are tipping pilots. If so, the practice may have affected expectations for everyone.

 

[375Fox]

I haven't read this whole thread, so apologies if my question has already been answered.

In Africa is it customary to tip the pilot of the charter aircraft that takes you to camp?

During my 42 years in Alaska, going on many fly-out hunting and fishing trips, I never tipped the pilot (who was often owner of the business). I didn't know of other Alaskans who tipped them.

I've heard recently that some passengers, especially those from out of state, are tipping pilots. If so, the practice may have affected expectations for everyone.

No, it’s a scheduled flight. I could maybe see some exceptions, but not for a standard charter flight on first day and last day.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I haven't read this whole thread, so apologies if my question has already been answered.

In Africa is it customary to tip the pilot of the charter aircraft that takes you to camp?

During my 42 years in Alaska, going on many fly-out hunting and fishing trips, I never tipped the pilot (who was often owner of the business). I didn't know of other Alaskans who tipped them.

I've heard recently that some passengers, especially those from out of state, are tipping pilots. If so, the practice may have affected expectations for everyone.

I tip the bush pilots. They work hard getting the bird loaded and unloaded. Especially if it’s a mid hunt meat pickup.

I don’t tip the pilot if it’s the owner of the business.

 

[RolandtheHeadless]

Well, "scheduled flight" for a charter one-engine aircraft flying by VFR in Alaska has a loose definition. A pilot will say, "I'll be back to pick you up on Saturday." It's always understood that his promise depends on the weather and other scheduled pickups.

 

[RolandtheHeadless]

Maybe I was remiss, but I've never tipped a bush pilot in Alaska.

 

[Bullhunter]

I never tipped the pilot
American people (a great country by the way) tipped nearly everbody in africa. I have seen us-gentleman who tipped TWA-pilots, police officers, custom and border offical, even city mayjors. Some americans tipped up to 15 people a day, they made a personal sport out of this.

 

[RedTag]

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.

I appreciate that. I loved my job. Tips were always welcome, and a big part of my income, but I couldn’t honestly expect the same from everyone. Some people were rich, while others were just middle class folks on a bucket list trip with a limited budget. Some had never been on a guided trip before. I was asked periodically how much a tip should be. My honest answer was “it’s up to you, if you had a good trip, my average is ten percent of the trip cost” and that’s usually what I got. Sometimes more (sometimes much more) and sometimes less. But the most important thing for me was doing a job that I loved and sharing that experience with others.

 

[coyote wacker]

I never tipped the pilot
American people (a great country by the way) tipped nearly everbody in africa. I have seen us-gentleman who tipped TWA-pilots, police officers, custom and border offical, even city mayjors. Some americans tipped up to 15 people a day, they made a personal sport out of this.

Going to Europe now it is seen in major Cities tipping when it has never been seen before. And it spreading !

 

[375Fox]

American people (a great country by the way) tipped nearly everbody in africa. I have seen us-gentleman who tipped TWA-pilots, police officers, custom and border offical, even city mayjors. Some americans tipped up to 15 people a day, they made a personal sport out of this.

I call BS on this story. Europeans seem to love to complain about American tipping practices, but fail to acknowledge they pay 20-25% VAT tax on everything in their own countries. Tipping doesn’t seem so bad compared to a mandatory tax at a ridiculous rate.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

Going to Europe now it is seen in major Cities tipping when it has never been seen before. And it spreading !

Thanks to Americans