Originally Posted by
yourpubliclibrary
What were the tip expectations / how much was a reasonable amount? And when did you tip - at the end of each game drive, or also at the end of each meal?
Before the Americans came into the area, there were no tip expectations al all. However, they learnt that Americans can't do without tipping
Today, some places, where American go to, hand you a bunch of empty envelopes asking for money even for technical staff. We absolutely refrain from doing so. Our policy - general all over all lodges - is to give a gratitude at the end of the stay highly depending on quality and service. Housekeeping staff probably 20 to 30 ZAR a day (or 100 to 200 per room per stay). For the spotter and the guide ZAR 200 to 250 per day per family. In a good place you have the same people on your vehicle every day. Waiters in a full service all inclusive lodge, bell boys, drivers to the gate: No "tips". These people are paid and in general paid quite well for SA standards and certainly by far more than minimum wage.
Remember: Minimum wage in SA is about 25 ZAR per hour. Our domestic workers at home earn about 400 ZAR per day and are more than happy about this. Don't destroy our culture.