Travel Tips
Tipping Etiquette: Guides, Drivers and Lodge Staff
GetTripGo Travel Desk · 4 min read
Tipping in Kenya's safari industry is expected but not obligatory, and it makes up a meaningful part of many guides' and staff members' income. Knowing rough guidelines ahead of time makes the whole process far less awkward than trying to work it out on the spot.
Quick Answer
- Guide/driver: $15-20 USD per person, per day.
- Lodge staff: $10-15 USD per person, per day, usually pooled.
- Currency: USD cash is widely accepted and preferred for tips.
Who You'll Typically Tip
Your safari guide or driver is the person you'll tip most directly, usually at the end of your stay or trip. Many camps also maintain a communal staff tip box covering housekeeping, kitchen staff, and general camp team members, which is a simpler way to acknowledge everyone behind the scenes rather than tipping each person individually.
Suggested Amounts
| Role | Suggested Amount |
|---|---|
| Safari guide/driver | $15-20 USD per person, per day |
| Camp/lodge staff (pooled) | $10-15 USD per person, per day |
| Porters | $1-2 USD per bag |
| Private drivers (non-safari) | 10% of the fare, if not included |
Practical Tips
- Bring small USD bills specifically for tipping — breaking large notes at camps can be difficult.
- Ask your operator in advance if tips are pooled or given individually, since practices vary by camp.
- Tipping is customary but not mandatory — adjust based on service quality as you would anywhere else.
- Many camps provide tip envelopes at checkout, which is the easiest way to hand tips over discreetly.