Tipping Guide
Tipping in Zimbabwe is appreciated and expected in many situations, especially in tourism. This guide covers who to tip, how much, and the cultural etiquette around gratuities.Currency for Tips: Always tip in US Dollars (USD). Small denominations (5, 20) are essential. Bring plenty of small bills from home as change can be difficult to obtain.
Quick Reference
Tipping at a Glance
| Service | Suggested Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Safari Guide | $10-20/person/day | Higher for exceptional service |
| Safari Tracker | $5-10/person/day | If separate from guide |
| Lodge Staff | $10-15/person/day | For general staff pool |
| Restaurant | 10-15% | If service not included |
| Hotel Porter | $1-2/bag | On arrival and departure |
| Housekeeping | $2-5/day | Daily or end of stay |
| Private Driver | $10-20/day | For full-day service |
| Activity Guides | $5-10/person | Per activity |
| Taxi Driver | Round up fare | Not obligatory |
| Spa Therapist | 10-15% | If service not included |
Safari Tipping
Safari Guides
Your Guide is Key:
Safari guides make or break your experience. They work long hours, possess extensive knowledge, and ensure your safety. Tipping well is both customary and appreciated.Recommended Amounts:
Private vs. Shared:
| Guide Type | Per Person/Day | For 2 People/Day |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $10-15 | $20-30 |
| Excellent | $15-20 | $30-40 |
| Exceptional | $20-25+ | $40-50+ |
- Private guide (exclusive to your group): Higher end of range
- Shared guide (multiple parties): Standard range
- At the end of your stay at each lodge
- Give directly to the guide in an envelope
- A personal thank you alongside the tip is meaningful
- Walking safari guides often get higher tips (more skill required)
- Multi-day guides: Tip at the end of the full safari
- If guide went above and beyond, tip accordingly
Trackers & Spotters
Often Overlooked:
Trackers work incredibly hard, often starting before dawn to locate wildlife. They’re essential to your safari success.Recommended:
- $5-10 per person per day
- Half of what you tip the guide
- Give separately from guide tip
Safari Lodge Staff
Staff Gratuity Pool:
Most safari lodges have a staff tip pool that’s divided among:
- Housekeeping
- Kitchen staff
- Waitstaff
- Grounds staff
- Behind-the-scenes employees
- $10-15 per person per day
- Leave at the end of your stay
- Most lodges have a “Staff Gratuity” box or envelope system
- 3-night stay for 2 people at 90 total for staff pool
Mobile & Camping Safaris
Camping Safari Tips:
For small-group camping safaris, the team is smaller but works harder. Budget accordingly.
| Role | Per Person/Day |
|---|---|
| Guide/Driver | $15-20 |
| Camp Staff (cook, assistant) | $10-15 |
| Porter (if applicable) | $5-10 |
Hotel & Accommodation Tipping
Hotel Staff
| Service | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Porter/Bellhop | $1-2 per bag | At time of service |
| Housekeeping | $2-5 per day | Daily or end of stay |
| Concierge | $5-10 | For special assistance |
| Room Service | $2-5 or 10% | At delivery |
| Valet Parking | $2-3 | When car returned |
- Leave tip daily rather than at end (different staff may service your room)
- Place in envelope marked “Housekeeping” on pillow or desk
- 5/day for luxury properties
Guesthouses & B&Bs
- Smaller, more personal service
- Tipping less formalized but appreciated
- $5-10 per day for overall staff is appropriate
- Thank the owners/managers directly
- Consider tipping kitchen staff if meals were exceptional
Restaurant Tipping
Restaurant Gratuities
Standard Practice:
Bar Tipping:
- 10-15% of bill before service charge
- Check if service is included (some add 10% automatically)
- Higher for exceptional service
- Look at bill for “Service Charge” or “Gratuity”
- If included, additional tip not expected (but small extra appreciated)
- If not included, 10-15% appropriate
- Cash tips preferred (go directly to staff)
- If adding to card, staff may not receive full amount
- Ask “Does the tip go to the staff?” if unsure
| Venue Type | Suggested Tip |
|---|---|
| Fine dining | 15% |
| Mid-range | 10-15% |
| Casual/local | 10% or round up |
| Fast food/counter | Not expected |
| Buffet | $2-5 to server |
| Coffee shop | Round up or $1 |
- $1-2 per drink at upscale bars
- Round up at casual bars
- Running tab: 10-15% at close
Activity & Tour Tipping
Victoria Falls Activities
| Activity | Guide/Crew Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopter Flight | $5-10 | To pilot if appropriate |
| Sunset Cruise | $5-10/person | For crew |
| White Water Rafting | $10-15/person | For raft guide |
| Bungee Jump | $5-10 | Not always expected |
| Walking Tour | $5-10/person | To guide |
| Village Tour | $5-10/person | Plus any donations |
| Fishing Trip | $10-20/person | To guide/captain |
| Canoe Safari | $10-15/person | To guide |
- Tips are per person, not per group
- Large groups may tip slightly less per person
- Private activities warrant higher tips
Transfers & Drivers
| Service | Tip |
|---|---|
| Airport transfer (shared) | $2-5 |
| Airport transfer (private) | $5-10 |
| Full-day private driver | $15-25 |
| Multi-day driver | $10-15/day |
| Cross-border transfer | $10-20 |
Other Tipping Situations
Spa & Wellness
- 10-15% of treatment cost
- Can be added to bill or given directly
- Direct cash preferred by therapists
- Tip per therapist if multiple treatments
Tour Guides (City/Cultural)
| Tour Type | Tip |
|---|---|
| Group walking tour | $5-10/person |
| Private city tour | $15-25 |
| Full-day excursion | $20-30 |
| Multi-day guide | $15-20/day |
Gas Station Attendants
- Attendants pump gas and clean windshields
- $1 tip appreciated for full service
- Not obligatory but kind gesture
Parking Attendants
- Street parking attendants common in cities
- $1-2 when returning to your car
- Establishes goodwill for car security
Hairdressers/Barbers
- 10-15% of service cost
- Cash directly to stylist preferred
When NOT to Tip
Situations Where Tipping Is Not Expected
- Government offices - Never tip (could be seen as bribery)
- Police officers - Absolutely not
- Supermarket cashiers - Not customary
- Bus drivers (public buses) - Not expected
- Bank tellers - Not appropriate
- Shop assistants - Not customary
- Markets - Negotiate fair price instead of tipping
- Self-service - No tip needed
How to Give Tips
Tipping Etiquette
Methods:
- Cash in hand - Most common, direct, appreciated
- In envelope - Preferred for safari guides and lodge staff
- Added to bill - Less ideal (may not reach staff)
- Tip boxes - Common at lodges for staff pool
- Give tips discreetly, not in front of others
- Make eye contact and thank the person
- For safari guides, a few words of appreciation mean a lot
- Don’t make a show of tipping
- Service staff: At time of service
- Safari guides/lodge staff: End of stay at that lodge
- Drivers: End of trip
- Restaurant: When paying bill
- Simple envelope is fine
- Write recipient’s name or “Safari Guide”
- Seal it for privacy
Budgeting for Tips
Planning Your Tip Budget
Sample Tip Budget (7-Day Safari Trip, 2 People):
Rule of Thumb:
| Category | Calculation | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Safari guides | $15/person × 7 days × 2 | $210 |
| Lodge staff | $12/person × 7 days × 2 | $168 |
| Trackers | $7/person × 5 days × 2 | $70 |
| Activities (4) | $10/person × 4 × 2 | $80 |
| Transfers | $10 × 4 transfers | $40 |
| Restaurants | ~$30 total | $30 |
| Misc | Porters, etc. | $30 |
| TOTAL | ~$630 |
- Budget $30-50 per person per day for tips on a safari trip
- Less for city-based trips ($10-20/person/day)
- More for luxury properties and private services
Cultural Notes
Understanding Tipping Culture:
- Tipping is a significant part of income for many tourism workers
- Wages in tourism can be low; tips make a real difference
- Zimbabweans are genuinely appreciative of fair tips
- Overtipping can create awkwardness; undertipping is noticed
- When in doubt, tip on the higher end for good service
- Generally excellent and warm
- Hospitality is a point of pride
- Staff often go above and beyond
- Recognition through tipping is meaningful
- Individual staff members and their families
- The local economy
- Continued quality service for future travelers
Quick Tips
Last updated: January 2025