Every one would be wondering / asking him self or her self of What is the best practice for tipping in Uganda/Rwanda? and who should you tip? What is the best currency to tip in? How much should you tip, every one would want to avoid those last minute embarrassing moments when you don’t give enough, or when you give too much, that’s why I have come up with the basic tipping advise to those who qualifies a tip and what amount .
Basing our culture on the African planet, local resident don’t have it in mind that some one can be given “free money after rendering a service” this is not free money but in reality its token of appreciation but most of the Africans who have got a chance to work in any hospitality industry have adopted to the culture of tipping and being tipped . this issue has really left many people developing several questions and some remains pending or un answered ,In the western countries it is customary to leave a $1—15 depending on what you have taken /and number of days/nights spent in a particular hotel , destination or in a restaurant. You may even tip a porter in your hotel ( some one who curries your bag)or your hairdresser if you think they have done a good job for you . basing on my observation for the number of years spent working in the tourism industry, I have realized that tipping is not a culture from clients traveling from these specific countries, Italy, Germans, Austrians, French people, Spaniards, Switzerland’s, Indians, its not guarantee that they all don’t tip, but some do but after realizing that you have done an extra work.
Well tipping is standard custom, and for tourists who in the minds/eyes of locals are all rich as matter of putting the writings on ground it seems to be expected for just about anything. People like guides, normally like th e Americans because of their custom to tip drivers, waiters ,and hotel staff. This tip you give takes a small portion of your income.
Basically all tourists the first question to ask would be “how much is normal salary for social worker”this gives a client an estimate of how much he/she should tip some whom you have been n safari with for more than 12 days trip, its of no sense for some one to take care of you for all those days and at the end of the trip he/she give $10 this will leave the guide to think that my service to this client was poor.dont leave this the minimum salary in Uganda is equivalent to $100 depending on the exchange rate , currently $1 =750FR ( Rwanda francs or UGX 3300. So this is not static, it depends on the exchange rate available in the market.
Of course the level you tip also depends on what that person has done for you. A driver that has carefully taken you to the rugged terrain on a number of days starting at 8 or 9am and getting home late at night obviously deserves a little more, just to add more value to his service rendered .
Tipping in the right currency is also important. Rwanda uses Rwanda francs as the only official currency while in Uganda the Ugandan shillings is the Uganda official currency so you can tip in any of the official currency.
In reality put in mind that tipping in any of the above countries is not mandatory but it just adds value to the person rendered the service.
1. Guides on the gorilla trek or chimpanzee trekking,
These are people who actually take you on the actual gorilla trek , you trek with then until you get to reach where the gorillas are, you walk while following them for the entire 1 hour spent with the gorillas, in addition to the 3-4 hours walk taken to find them , this activity is restricted to 8 members per day, the number can be less than 8 pax but it cant be more than 8 pax such group at least each person is would be nice if at least there’s $15 or more from each person, as this person is seen to be with you for the entire day. If its chimpanzee trekking $10 and above would be okay depending on how the professional guides skills of guiding has been. Honestly if you tip , too little and it seems that you didn’t think the guide was very good, and at the end they will stay laughing to stay on right track tip according to your feeling and out of your satisfaction going on gorilla trek is not just a box to be ticked but potentially pocket minded to those who can afford the $750 for Rwanda and $600 for Uganda gorilla permits a tip to your guide would add more value to your safari.
2. Driver guides
These are the most influential in the tourism industry as they are part of your traveling companion as you stay with them for most of your time in the car, enjoying their funny Jokes, laughs, If you only have the driver for one day $20 – 25$ per person in the jeep is fairly a good tip. Your tour guide/driver guide should not only be knowledgeable about the flora and fauna but also extremely knowledgeable about the Uganda/Rwanda society and the life of the common people. Some one who is communicative throughout your entire tour and eager to show you as much different wildlife as possible. Deserves a reasonable tip at the end of your safari I think $150 would be worthwhile. If you have the driver for a few days at a time then you might want to reduce this amount at least to $50, Driver guides in Uganda or Rwanda , are pretty much concerned about the safety of clients an Often and more concerned about getting to the next destination as soon as possible( time management is their priority, at least leaving such a person with just only a “thank you” would not be right .
3 gorilla trekking Porters
Porters are group of local site helpers or shepherds, /porters trek with you , carry your bags and assist you through the terrain. The porters also play the role to carry anyone who would tired or could not hike to the trekking point where gorillas are, this service is given at an official fee of $10 except one decides to give a tip such person would be nice if a tip of $40 is give to him the same fee applies for Uganda and Rwanda . porters work on rational basis as its one way to support the local community as they too participate in the conservation role of these primates, I think giving them a reasonable tip would be worth while as behind one porter there’s 10-15 dependents on him. So just make his day by editing a tip to
4 .Rwenzori mountain Guides
In reality this is 7 day central circuit hike to the summit of margarita peak ,You are going to spend 7day with your guides. These people will be your traveling companion and they all the equipments to be used by you on your hike including food , hiking gears, much as they are paid taking all this load up and down through all those portal peaks , at the end of the tour such person should be given some thing out of Breathtaking experiences and knowledge shared with you.
All this Research is by Bill Ssali
+256774819223 (ssalibilly@gmail.com)
Your travel analyst.
Gorilla Expeditions 