Good safari manners are mostly common sense: respect the animals, the people and the place. But a few questions come up again and again, especially about tipping. Here’s our honest guide for Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Tipping: the basics
Tipping is never compulsory, but it’s customary and much appreciated. For many guides, porters and lodge staff it’s an important part of their income. The figures below are a typical guideline, not a rule. Tip what feels right for the service you received.
- Driver-guide: around US$10–20 per guest per day. More on a private trip, or if they’ve gone above and beyond.
- Ranger guides on gorilla or chimp treks: around US$10–20 per guest, given at the end of the trek. Trackers are often tipped separately or share a pool.
- Porters: porters charge a set fee, which we confirm when you book. A tip of around US$5–10 on top is welcome, especially after a hard trek.
- Lodge and camp staff: around US$5–10 per guest per night, usually in a communal tip box shared among the whole team.
- Boat crews and local guides: around US$5 per guest for a shorter activity.
- Hotel porters: a dollar or two per bag.
US dollars and local currency are both fine. If you use dollars, bring clean, recent, small notes, because older or damaged notes are often refused. Put tips in an envelope and hand them over personally with a thank you.
On a game drive
- Stay inside the vehicle and keep your voice down around animals.
- Don’t ask your guide to drive off the track or get closer than they think is right. Off-track driving is against park rules in Uganda, and speed limits apply in the parks.
- Share good sightings. If other vehicles are waiting, take your photos and give them a turn.
- Never feed animals, and take all rubbish back with you.
With gorillas and chimpanzees
- If you’re unwell, don’t trek. Primates catch human illnesses.
- Keep your distance (UWA’s rule is 10 metres), stay with your group, and follow the ranger.
- No flash photography, no eating or drinking near the animals, and cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze.
- Visits last one hour. When the ranger says it’s time to go, it’s time to go.
For more on the trek itself, read our gorilla trekking guide.
Photographing people
- Always ask first, and accept a “no” gracefully.
- In some communities, people may ask for a small payment for photos. Agree before you take the picture, or ask your guide what’s appropriate.
- Be especially careful with children. Ask a parent.
- Never photograph soldiers, police, border posts, airports or government buildings. It can cause serious trouble.
What to wear
- On game drives and treks, neutral colours such as khaki, olive and brown are best.
- In towns and villages, dress modestly. Covering shoulders and knees is always a respectful choice.
- Leave camouflage-pattern clothing at home. In several countries in the region it’s associated with the military and can cause problems.
Plastic bag bans
East Africa takes plastic seriously, and bags can be confiscated at the airport.
- Rwanda banned plastic bags in 2008 and later extended the ban to other single-use plastics.
- Kenya banned plastic carrier bags in 2017, and single-use plastics have been banned in its national parks and other protected areas since June 2020.
- Tanzania banned plastic carrier bags of any thickness from 1 June 2019.
- Uganda also restricts thin plastic carrier bags.
The easy answer is to pack without plastic bags. Use fabric pouches or packing cubes, and bring a reusable water bottle.
Good to know
- A few words of greeting go a long way. In Uganda, try Oli otya? (Luganda, “How are you?”). In Kenya and Tanzania, Jambo.
- In Rwanda, the monthly community clean-up, Umuganda, takes place on the last Saturday morning of each month, and many services close.
- Buy crafts from community groups rather than street hawkers selling wildlife products.
Still unsure how much to tip, or what to pack? Ask us anything. We’ll include a short guide with every trip we plan, so you can relax and enjoy it.
