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Maasai Mara Tipping Guide – Etiquette and Customs

Tipping is a tradition that has been well embraced in the western World. The habit is just being groomed in Africa but it’s been embraced with a lot of respect and love. The question for travelers is how to go about tipping on a safari to Masai Mara Game reserve. Since one interacts with many people like the guide, drivers, people at different attractions, the people at the lodge etc.

It is not a must for anyone to tip while on a safari to Kenya and the Masai Mara Game reserve. Tipping someone after obtaining anything, especially if they are treated nicely, is simply humane. This is one method to express how pleased or amazed you are with the service you received. The most frequent query among tourists is to tip whom and how much. Here is a brief checklist to assist you tip appropriately, but remember to always leave the largest tip possible.

Tipping safari guides

More than anybody else, the guides spend a lot of time on the safari with you. In general, they are responsible for our well-being. They need to communicate with every person on your itinerary. Generally speaking, it’s advised that you set up at least $15 to $25 every day for the safari guide. Give them more if you want to, but at least try not to give them less. At the conclusion of the safari, you can offer them their combined tip. The guides solely rely on gratuities and travel expenses; they do not receive a compensation.

Tipping at the safari lodge/hotel

On a safari, you will sleep at several lodges and hotels. It is therefore advised that you tip wisely otherwise you may end up with no money at the end. Most hotels and lodges will have tip boxes where you can tip the entire staffs and they will share the tips at the end of a certain period. But if you want to tip a particular individual who probably has been outstanding for you, you may tip them between $10 and $20. But like we said, you can tip more if the means favor you.

Tipping safari drivers

If your guide is different from the driver, then you can tip the driver between $8 and $20 a day. You can still tip more if the means support you.

When to tip

The majority of travelers to Kenya and the Masai Mara Game Reserve are unsure of the ideal moment to tip. Since these personnel work different shifts and you might not see them when you leave the lodge the following morning, you can tip them instantly while you are there. However, at the conclusion of the journey, you can leave a gratuity for the driver and guide. Usually, things go like this. However, some people would rather tip them every day. It’s not advisable to tip a guide every day because the money could distract them from their work and sometimes the guide might not be pleased with the tip, which could damage their relationship.

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