Tipping is one of those things guests feel awkward asking about, so let’s be open about it. In Tanzania, tips are not compulsory, but they are expected for good service and make up an important part of the income of guides, porters and lodge staff. Here is what is normal in 2026.
Safari tipping guidelines
- Driver-guide: around USD 20 to 30 per person per day is typical for a private safari. Many groups think of it as roughly USD 30 to 50 per vehicle per day, depending on group size.
- Lodge and camp staff: around USD 10 to 15 per guest per day. Most lodges have a shared tip box at reception, which is fairer than tipping individual waiters.
- Specialist guides (walking safari, Maasai village, balloon pilot): around USD 5 to 10 per person.
- Airport transfer drivers: USD 5 to 10 per transfer.
Give your guide’s tip at the end of the safari, ideally in an envelope with a short note. If you had a guide for most of the trip and a different one for a day, split it fairly.
Kilimanjaro tipping guidelines
On the mountain, tips matter even more. Porters carry heavy loads for long days, and they rely on tips. The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) suggests daily amounts per crew member. These are usually shared by the whole climbing group, not paid by each climber:
- Lead guide: around USD 20 to 25 per day
- Assistant guide: around USD 12 to 15 per day
- Cook: around USD 12 to 15 per day
- Porter: around USD 6 to 10 per day
As a rough guide, a solo climber on a 7-day route might tip USD 250 to 350 in total. A group of four sharing one crew might each tip less, because the crew is shared. We will tell you exactly how many crew members are on your climb so you can plan.
Tips are normally handed over at a short ceremony on the last morning. We encourage giving each crew member their tip directly, in their own envelope, so you know the money reaches the right person.
Cash, currency and practical tips
- US dollars and Tanzanian shillings are both accepted. Bring small USD notes (1s, 5s, 10s and 20s) printed after 2009.
- Card payments for tips are rarely possible, so plan to carry cash.
- If service was poor, you do not have to tip the full amount. Tell us too, because we want to know.
A word on porter welfare
When you choose a Kilimanjaro operator, ask how porters are paid, fed and equipped, and how heavy their loads are. KPAP publishes guidelines on fair treatment, and it is worth reading them before you book. We are happy to answer any of these questions about our own crews.
Related reading: Tanzania safari cost and best time to climb Kilimanjaro. Questions? Get in touch.
