quote:

If a safari operator has let their staff expect a tip regardless of whether they did a great job or not it's the operators fault if the crew is upset when they receive little of no tip.

If my staff ever gave that impression to a client they would all be finding new work the next day.
Tipping is never expected and camp staff should only ever be tipped through the PH or company owner.

When you as the client hand out money at the end of each safari it starts to build the expectation of getting something no matter what they are doing in the field.
If you have a tracker etc who shines on the hunt, take him aside and give him something discreetly, but the line of people standing with hands outstretched will never happen in my camp.

A client pays a fair price for the services we deliver. If we exceed his expectations and he believes that to be deserving of extra compensation then he should sit with the PH and decide on what is appropriate etc.

I have had tips personally from US1 - US 3000 but each tip is equally valuable to me regardless of amount as it shows that the client is leaving happy with the service he received.

On this note, a thank you letter is the greatest tip you will ever give your PH as they cannot be spent and are a constant reminder of the great times you have had. My thank you letters are prized possessions and are without a doubt the cherry on top of a great hunt.



Ian Blakeway

The Box H Safaris Big Game Hounds & Specialist Hunting Outfitters

Dedicated to Hunting & Service Excellence!

Where Long Term Relationships are Valued!

Cell: 083 414 2446
Fax: 086 662 1632
mail: hunt@bushpighunt.co.za
Web: www.huntingtheboxh.co.za <http://www.huntingtheboxh.co.za>

Full Time, Licensed Hunting Outfitters & Professional Hunters

quote:

Originally posted by Hunting the Box H:

quote:

If a safari operator has let their staff expect a tip regardless of whether they did a great job or not it's the operators fault if the crew is upset when they receive little of no tip.

If my staff ever gave that impression to a client they would all be finding new work the next day.
Tipping is never expected and camp staff should only ever be tipped through the PH or company owner.

When you as the client hand out money at the end of each safari it starts to build the expectation of getting something no matter what they are doing in the field.
If you have a tracker etc who shines on the hunt, take him aside and give him something discreetly, but the line of people standing with hands outstretched will never happen in my camp.

A client pays a fair price for the services we deliver. If we exceed his expectations and he believes that to be deserving of extra compensation then he should sit with the PH and decide on what is appropriate etc.

I have had tips personally from US1 - US 3000 but each tip is equally valuable to me regardless of amount as it shows that the client is leaving happy with the service he received.

On this note, a thank you letter is the greatest tip you will ever give your PH as they cannot be spent and are a constant reminder of the great times you have had. My thank you letters are prized possessions and are without a doubt the cherry on top of a great hunt.



Ian Blakeway

The Box H Safaris Big Game Hounds & Specialist Hunting Outfitters

Dedicated to Hunting & Service Excellence!

Where Long Term Relationships are Valued!

Cell: 083 414 2446
Fax: 086 662 1632
mail: hunt@bushpighunt.co.za
Web: www.huntingtheboxh.co.za <http://www.huntingtheboxh.co.za>

Full Time, Licensed Hunting Outfitters & Professional Hunters

And that sir, is the way it should be. My hats off to your integrity

Tipping is always awkward. Americans seem to promote the practice but from my years in Europe it is not common practice there. On my safari the previous hunter was a wealthly individual who shot a truck full of stuff and tipped over the top. The trackers did not seem grateful for the tip that they received from me which was cash, clothing and a hunting knife each. It was the only damper on an otherwise fantastic safari.
JCHB

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
You mean a typical PH tip in Namibia is NOT $4,000, like I was told? KARL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

Biebs, I wish... Not with you and Larry around anyways !!!

Always a sensitive subject and I think varies from country to country.

I cannot speak for other outfitters but my golden rule is that every staff members be it the gardner to PH should be tipped if the client is so inclined and this should be handed out by the client to each staff member so as to avoid accusations of the outfitter/PH absconding with their money.

I must say that a tip is not an obligation but rather a choice and I have always tried to coach the staff that on occasion they may recieve less than expected or in some cases nothing at all.

My suggestion is on a Zimbabwean Safari

Camp Staff USD 500/week to be divided according to your PH recomendation.

Trackers USD 100 per week each
Game Scout USD 100 per week

PH USD 100 - 200 per day.

Having said all of that your PH can give you the best advice, but to hand it to the staff personally is in my opinion critically important.

Russ according to your recommendations on a 21 day safari I would be in for another $7000. That's alot of money just for tips especially when you already paying for their services.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmara:
Russ according to your recommendations on a 21 day safari I would be in for another $7000. That's alot of money just for tips especially when you already paying for their services.

Yikes! Working that out in ZAR equals R64400.00!!! That is over half the total cost of my safari including flights!!! Nice work if you can get it!

quote:

A PH who works for the company is also working for my tip. However, and I would ask you gents to comment, what is the tip if the owner of the company is the PH?

Whatever amount is spent for the hunt, trophies, etc. will remain unchanged except for the additional tip to the man who guided you regardless he may be the owner/outfitter and PH or just an employed PH and unless you think the outfitter/PH has already fleeced you enough.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ B:
Always a sensitive subject and I think varies from country to country.

I cannot speak for other outfitters but my golden rule is that every staff members be it the gardner to PH should be tipped if the client is so inclined and this should be handed out by the client to each staff member so as to avoid accusations of the outfitter/PH absconding with their money.

I must say that a tip is not an obligation but rather a choice and I have always tried to coach the staff that on occasion they may recieve less than expected or in some cases nothing at all.

My suggestion is on a Zimbabwean Safari

Camp Staff USD 500/week to be divided according to your PH recomendation.

Trackers USD 100 per week each
Game Scout USD 100 per week

PH USD 100 - 200 per day.

Having said all of that your PH can give you the best advice, but to hand it to the staff personally is in my opinion critically important.

Based upon Rusty's method
18 day safari
Ph - average $150 per day = $2700
Trackers x 2 = $700
Parks Game Scout = $350
Communal Area Game Scout = $350
Camp Staff,including camp manager, skinners, cooks, Laundry etc. = $1750
$5850 in tips? Seems a bit out of line
Considering that the average daily rate is around $1000 for a total of $18,000, 15% being a normal tip percentage for just about everything, that would be around $2700 which seems to be more acceptable. These are tips, were not supposed to be making the payroll

I think most hunters that have some experience and have a good hunt will be able to discuss it with the PH and figure out tips that fit within your budget and don't insult the crew that worked hard to give you a great hunt.

The real question is how do you tip if your hunt sucked! This is much harder and the hunt could have been terrible because of just one person such as a bad PH, yet you feel ripped off! This is where it gets difficult and as a hunter you deviate from the norm and won't have or want any guidance from the PH.

quote:

Originally posted by hunt99:
I think most hunters that have some experience and have a good hunt will be able to discuss it with the PH and figure out tips that fit within your budget and don't insult the crew that worked hard to give you a great hunt.

The real question is how do you tip if your hunt sucked! This is much harder and the hunt could have been terrible because of just one person such as a bad PH, yet you feel ripped off! This is where it gets difficult and as a hunter you deviate from the norm and won't have or want any guidance from the PH.

The PH's I have been around dont like to discuss tipping as they feel its the worst part of the trip also

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:If you are happy with the PH then a grand would not go amiss.

Fine doubles, Land Cruisers, planes and/or choppers are also eagerly accepted.

Mauser - sorry if I missed it, but WHERE ARE YOU HUNTING? As you can probably gather from the above, there is a huge variation in tipping based on the type of hunt, the country, the duration, and the hunters preferences. I have found that expectations are less for Namibia and South Africa, then Zimbabwe post Dollarization (and I would assume Zambia, it has been a while since I was there), which is less than Tanzania (only issue I ever had in regards to tipping was in Masailand). Interestingly, the guys I hunted with in Cameroon had the least expectations (noting this was a significant hunt for one of Africa’s premier plainsgame tropies - Lord Derby Eland), as the PH said they typically hunt Europeans and the staff was accustomed to tips being given strictly based on performance (I tipped at the top of the provided suggestions, but did not screw it up for the next hunters coming into camp!).

Your PH really should help you here, and I have seen reluctance (years ago, nobody on this forum) to provide guidance before the hunt as I think they were afraid it would sour the hunt. But they had suggestions once the hunt was over. Explain it to him that you are basing how much cash you bring in part on the tip requirements. And that you want to bring enough so there is some left over to tip him.

Whatever you decide, bring more $5's and $10's than you think you will need, and then double it! It makes distributing the exact tip amount much easier.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ B:
Always a sensitive subject and I think varies from country to country.

I cannot speak for other outfitters but my golden rule is that every staff members be it the gardner to PH should be tipped if the client is so inclined and this should be handed out by the client to each staff member so as to avoid accusations of the outfitter/PH absconding with their money.

I must say that a tip is not an obligation but rather a choice and I have always tried to coach the staff that on occasion they may recieve less than expected or in some cases nothing at all.

My suggestion is on a Zimbabwean Safari

Camp Staff USD 500/week to be divided according to your PH recomendation.

Trackers USD 100 per week each
Game Scout USD 100 per week

PH USD 100 - 200 per day.

Having said all of that your PH can give you the best advice, but to hand it to the staff personally is in my opinion critically important.

Damn, I'm surprised any of the outfitters I've hunted with have let me come back if this is what is expected.

Based on these numbers, my hunt this past October would have had $7,800 in tips!!! I think I tipped about $3,600. I suppose I'm a cheapskate but that's what I was able to afford.

Whatever you do, bring new issue bills. Many people outside the US won't accept older $100 bills.

I have left nearly 10K in tips and felt good about it and tipped the PH $600 on another hunt and felt I was over tipping.

As far as hard work vs trophies, well, imagine a sheep guide that hauls your ass all over a mountain just to show you who is boss and then compare that to another one who uses his brains to actually shoot a monster sheep. Guess who I would rather tip more?

What bugs the shit out of me is getting three trackers when I only need one or getting two guides in North America when I only need one. Tipping then becomes uncomfortable.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

quote:

Originally posted by Russ B:
Always a sensitive subject and I think varies from country to country.

I cannot speak for other outfitters but my golden rule is that every staff members be it the gardner to PH should be tipped if the client is so inclined and this should be handed out by the client to each staff member so as to avoid accusations of the outfitter/PH absconding with their money.

I must say that a tip is not an obligation but rather a choice and I have always tried to coach the staff that on occasion they may recieve less than expected or in some cases nothing at all.

My suggestion is on a Zimbabwean Safari

Camp Staff USD 500/week to be divided according to your PH recomendation.

Trackers USD 100 per week each
Game Scout USD 100 per week

PH USD 100 - 200 per day.

Having said all of that your PH can give you the best advice, but to hand it to the staff personally is in my opinion critically important.

Damn, I'm surprised any of the outfitters I've hunted with have let me come back if this is what is expected.

Based on these numbers, my hunt this past October would have had $7,800 in tips!!! I think I tipped about $3,600. I suppose I'm a cheapskate but that's what I was able to afford.

I would say that this is is approximately 5% of the total cost of a safari.

I know when I was on a recent Alaska fishing trip and asked the same question my tips came to approximately 10% of the trip cost.

My calculations for a 2 week trip to Zim

Staff 1000
Trackers 200
Game scout 200
Ph 1400

Total 2600

Aproximate cost of a 2 week Elephant safari with all the costs $52000.

Once again I must stress that whether you tip or dont it is a matter of how happy you are and how much you can afford. Most operators understand this. Tips vary from industry to industry most people in the states tip 10-15% for a meal, which I think is a little excessive considering it is service you are given for a couple hours.

I would hate to think that anyone coming in a safari would be deemed to be a cheapskate, and as I said it is a sensitive subject, but I think 5% of cost is reasonable. I know most Sheep hunts in the States run at 15-20 k and tipping rates seem to be 5-10%.

Anyway I have no doubt that some agree and some dont this is just my guidline.

quote:

Originally posted by Full Roar:

quote:

Originally posted by Russ B:
Always a sensitive subject and I think varies from country to country.

I cannot speak for other outfitters but my golden rule is that every staff members be it the gardner to PH should be tipped if the client is so inclined and this should be handed out by the client to each staff member so as to avoid accusations of the outfitter/PH absconding with their money.

I must say that a tip is not an obligation but rather a choice and I have always tried to coach the staff that on occasion they may recieve less than expected or in some cases nothing at all.

My suggestion is on a Zimbabwean Safari

Camp Staff USD 500/week to be divided according to your PH recomendation.

Trackers USD 100 per week each
Game Scout USD 100 per week

PH USD 100 - 200 per day.

Having said all of that your PH can give you the best advice, but to hand it to the staff personally is in my opinion critically important.

Based upon Rusty's method
18 day safari
Ph - average $150 per day = $2700
Trackers x 2 = $700
Parks Game Scout = $350
Communal Area Game Scout = $350
Camp Staff,including camp manager, skinners, cooks, Laundry etc. = $1750
$5850 in tips? Seems a bit out of line
Considering that the average daily rate is around $1000 for a total of $18,000, 15% being a normal tip percentage for just about everything, that would be around $2700 which seems to be more acceptable. These are tips, were not supposed to be making the payroll

I dont see the Math that way

Camp Staff 1200
Trackers 225
PH 1800
Game Scout 225

TOTAL 3450

Safari Cost total 45000

7.6%

quote:

Originally posted by Russ B:

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

quote:

Originally posted by Russ B:
Always a sensitive subject and I think varies from country to country.

I cannot speak for other outfitters but my golden rule is that every staff members be it the gardner to PH should be tipped if the client is so inclined and this should be handed out by the client to each staff member so as to avoid accusations of the outfitter/PH absconding with their money.

I must say that a tip is not an obligation but rather a choice and I have always tried to coach the staff that on occasion they may recieve less than expected or in some cases nothing at all.

My suggestion is on a Zimbabwean Safari

Camp Staff USD 500/week to be divided according to your PH recomendation.

Trackers USD 100 per week each
Game Scout USD 100 per week

PH USD 100 - 200 per day.

Having said all of that your PH can give you the best advice, but to hand it to the staff personally is in my opinion critically important.

Damn, I'm surprised any of the outfitters I've hunted with have let me come back if this is what is expected.

Based on these numbers, my hunt this past October would have had $7,800 in tips!!! I think I tipped about $3,600. I suppose I'm a cheapskate but that's what I was able to afford.

I would say that this is is approximately 5% of the total cost of a safari.

I know when I was on a recent Alaska fishing trip and asked the same question my tips came to approximately 10% of the trip cost.

My calculations for a 2 week trip to Zim

Staff 1000
Trackers 200
Game scout 200
Ph 1400

Total 2600

Aproximate cost of a 2 week Elephant safari with all the costs $52000.

Once again I must stress that whether you tip or dont it is a matter of how happy you are and how much you can afford. Most operators understand this. Tips vary from industry to industry most people in the states tip 10-15% for a meal, which I think is a little excessive considering it is service you are given for a couple hours.

I would hate to think that anyone coming in a safari would be deemed to be a cheapskate, and as I said it is a sensitive subject, but I think 5% of cost is reasonable. I know most Sheep hunts in the States run at 15-20 k and tipping rates seem to be 5-10%.

Anyway I have no doubt that some agree and some dont this is just my guidline.

My $3,600 tip was 15% of the daily rate. That's what I based it on. I've always heard to go off of the day rate and exclude trophy fees, dip and pack, charter to camp, MARS insurance, etc.

I think this really puts into perspective why tipping is such an unwelcome subject at the end of a safari.

PS. Russ, $52,000 for an ele bull? Are you hunting Bots this year? My Zim ele bull (total costs) from 08 was less than 1/2 of that. My Zim ele bull upcoming this year (total costs) is a bit over 1/2 that.

quote:

Biebs, I wish... Not with you and Larry around anyways !!! rotflmo

Lumping me in with Larry? Them's fightin words!!!

Best to get an idea beforehand of the expected tips based on a good safari. This will give you a guideline.

Tips vary greatly from country to country and always remember it is a gratuity based on good service and not mandatory.

Why don't we follow the new EU directive?

They have decided that bankers cannot get more than twice their basic annual salary as a bonus (tip).

So if one is on a full bag safari, with about $2000 daily fee, a 21 day tip to the PH should be no more than $4000 per day

I don't think the staff tip issue is a significant one for most people. Tip well (but don't overtip) and if the staff is annoyed because some other guy dropped serious coin on them... then so be it.

At PG daily rates, I generally tip the PH 10% of the total. At higher daily rates, I would have a very tough time tipping 10%. Imagine a 21 day hunt at $2000 per day. Are you really going to tip the PH over $4000? What about a 21 day elephant hunt in Tanz vs. a 14 day elephant hunt in Zim? Same elephant for all intents and purposes and the 10% rule would dictate over $4000 in TZ and (on average) probably just a bit over $1500 in Zim. Fair? I don't think so. What about lion in Burkina Faso vs. Zambia? $3500 or more to the Zambia PH but $1000 to the BF guy? Not cool. A good tip for both is probably somewhere in the middle.

As for staff tips and such, just consult the PH or outfitter and follow his guidance...or exceed his recommendations by 10-15% if service was just stellar.

Coming from Australia tipping is extremely unattractive, it is against our culture. Have accepted the fact that tipping is part of the hunting culture in Africa and tend to look on it as ' part of the cost of hunting'. Rely on your PH for the appropriate amount for your particular hunt.
A question for the people that are suggesting 10% or more of the total hunt, does that mean when you buy a brand new car or boat that you pay an extra 10% on the TOTAL cost as a tip ?

quote:

Originally posted by sjb:
Coming from Australia tipping is extremely unattractive, it is against our culture. Have accepted the fact that tipping is part of the hunting culture in Africa and tend to look on it as ' part of the cost of hunting'. Rely on your PH for the appropriate amount for your particular hunt.
A question for the people that are suggesting 10% or more of the total hunt, does that mean when you buy a brand new car or boat that you pay an extra 10% on the TOTAL cost as a tip ?

Just about the time I think I can afford a trip again and want to get back in the game....

I read a thread like this and it just takes the fun out of going on a hunt.

Do what you feel is right. You are under absolutely no obligation to tip at all.

quote:

Originally posted by sjb:
Coming from Australia tipping is extremely unattractive, it is against our culture. Have accepted the fact that tipping is part of the hunting culture in Africa and tend to look on it as ' part of the cost of hunting'. Rely on your PH for the appropriate amount for your particular hunt.
A question for the people that are suggesting 10% or more of the total hunt, does that mean when you buy a brand new car or boat that you pay an extra 10% on the TOTAL cost as a tip ?

If I added in 'New Zealand' to sjb's post above that is my position also and despite my rants in other threads on the subject of tipping, like sjb I would accept the culture, as I have in other countries I've visited, and go with the accepted custom. I would not be doing it grudgingly, I would just see this practice as having some reason and substance in that particular activity in that country.

The only thing I still struggle with is that despite some saying that the practice within the safari business is not compulsory or that it is up to the individual, and to a sense that is technically correct in that you are not going to be arrested or sued for not paying a tip as you could or would be if you did not pay the agreed safari fees, in reality tipping is virtually a given expectation and it is probably time for it to be formalised as a legitimate expense for any safari just as the other taxes and various extra fees are.

Although on a good safari I would be most grateful to all those who have provided a service, and in my own country or in our neighbouring Australia that would amount to a profound thanks and handshake, to have to hand out money and or gifts to a group of people would to me, be like handing out a few beads and left overs to the natives from ages long gone. I honestly would find that extremely belittling to do but than I would do it.

As per above, Tipping in the Australian culture is an uncommon reward that you really appreciate BUT not expect. However as it has become apart of the Safari payment system I do "as Romans do".
The point that bugs me is that if a PH averages out at $100 to $200 per day in tip, that is around 50% of his wage. I wouldn't mind 50% added to my wage.

On my buffalo hunt in Australia last June the company has a written policy that a good tip is about mandatory to keep the PHs returning next year. Of course we did tip but the thought ran through my mind why don't you, the owner of the station, pay your workers a fair wage to begin with?
Just a passing thought.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by sjb:
Coming from Australia tipping is extremely unattractive, it is against our culture. Have accepted the fact that tipping is part of the hunting culture in Africa and tend to look on it as ' part of the cost of hunting'. Rely on your PH for the appropriate amount for your particular hunt.
A question for the people that are suggesting 10% or more of the total hunt, does that mean when you buy a brand new car or boat that you pay an extra 10% on the TOTAL cost as a tip ?

We do that in Australia. It's called GST.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
On my buffalo hunt in Australia last June the company has a written policy that a good tip is about mandatory to keep the PHs returning next year. Of course we did tip but the thought ran through my mind why don't you, the owner of the station, pay your workers a fair wage to begin with?
Just a passing thought.
Cal

Which is the whole idea behind Australia being a "non-tipping" nation.

In theory they get paid enough to not need tips.

Gentlemen,

I got a few messages on this subject, some from PHs in the field.

They basically say tips have become an accepted, and expected, extra payment for a job well done, by the staff.

Despite the fact that many say it is NOT compulsory, if the staff do not get it, they blame their employers for keeping it to themselves.

One thing they all seem to try to avoid is, the client paying SOME staff members by himself without telling the PH.

Apparently, this creates quite a bit of friction, and as in one instance mentioned, some staff members took it upon themselves to "present" themslves to clients while in the camp, asking for handouts.

I have only had one PH line up teh camp staff to receive their tips on our last day. The tip was given to him as he recommended.

Many PH now follow the same policy.

They collect whatever tips are given, and handed out to the staff when they go home.

NOT before.

Apparently this prevents some staff members disappearing for some fun, leaving the camp short staffed.

One generally gets the feel of the camp from the moment he arrives. And getting good service with a smile tends to make it easier to tip well, without one having the feeling that he is being taken for a ride.

There are many, many things I love about American culture, but tipping is not one of them.
Tis is absolutly correct.
I was severall times there and Im more than happy to come to the SCI Show in 2014.

But:
For an European and German Man, it is absolutly "gracy" to read... The PH should get 100 Dollar a day tip.

Or to read this:
http://www.cmsafaris.com/safari-zimbabwe/info.htm#8
This is (mutch) more than gracy.
In the first moment I think this is an joke.

The outfitter/ph are paid very well. 200 - 600 Dollar a day. This is his money. From that money they should pay their staff. And they can pay well if they want, but this is his problem. Finish, End of story.

We in Germany do it that way:
If we are in an restaurant and the waitress says: 38 Euro please, we give 40 Euro.
Thats it.
In Germany it is forbitten (and I think this is an good law) that an part of the tipping is an part of the income.

In Africa and my severall safaris I did it so:
I write an big thank-you-letter to the PH and give 50 - 100 Dollar in it and write: Please go to an good restaurant with your wife an have an nice evening.

I give the staff 10 dollars each. For an example, this is the monthly income for one of them in Namibia. If I have some equipment witch they need, I give it to them, but in an range 10 - 20 Dollar, and not each. So I think this enough.
And I will do it exactly in this way and I tell this to all my german clintes and readers.

Of course I say, be friendly, shake hands, smile, pp. And I invite them for (seroius) drinks and meal after an long/dangerous hunt.
But this is an question of styl...

Tipping should NOT be awkward and to me it was always one of the most enjoyable parts of the hunt. It's your personal act of saying thanks and well done. Look the person in the eye, shake his or her hand, hug them, give the cash tip to them and say thank you. Even learn how to say thank you in their native language. What's so awkward about this?

It should be no different than tipping the valet parking attendant, here in the U.S.

That moment at the end of your safari is likely what the skinner, tracker, chef etc will remember the most. That personal contact, the fact that you cared enuf to make a personal connection to express gratitude with a gratuity, should be a high point of your safari experience.

Tip from your heart, your honor, your kindness and your wallet and make it personal. Face to face. Looking a Tanzania tracker in the face, shaking his hand, hugging him saying, "Asante sana", and giving him a $50 bill, is a much better experience than his PH giving him a $100 bill that you left him as part of bulk tip.

Good on You Bwana Moja!

For me, firstly, I give the tips personally, either to each person directly, or to the head man, depending on preference of Manager / PH / Owner / Country

The amount depends on whether or not hunting dangerous game. But, these guys need the tips to live, and are the difference between a good and amazing safari.

Orvar

Well said Bwana Moja.

There is a suggested tipping schedule in Martin Pieters website. I take a copy of it with me and sit down with the PH at the end of the hunt and go over it with him and make whatever adjustments he and I come up with. I like to give it to them personally. In one camp I hunted the PH put the amount of the tip in a ledger for everyone to see and they knew what they each would get based on their pecking order. He did not distribute the money until hunting season was over.

I have been on three safaris (1 in Tanzania and 2 in Zim) and I have personally tipped each and every one of my team as well as the camp staff. Your PH should be able to give you a general guide of what to tip each person from the cook, to head trackers down to your tent boy. I tend to be overly generous but the PH keeps me in line. I also bring a duffel full of gifts (soccer balls, clothing, leathermen tools, etc). One of the most satisfying and memorable parts of my safaris has been the experience of personally thanking each and everyone of the team and camp staff. Dont underestiamte this. In Tanzania, it resulted in a song and dance in my honor at the end of the hunt. The other hunter from California, gave a flat tip to the PH to share we everyone. It was not nearly enough and the different reaction from the two teams and the same staff was clear. Caveat - I only tip in proportion to the effort and results. Case in point - on the Tanzania safari - I had to spend a day and half in a different camp with the different camp staff. The service and perfomance with my main camp and this camp were night and day. No water ready for shower until I requested it, three total meals and nothing to write home about, etc. I spent a total of 1 night and three meals there. The staff expected tips - and significant ones. I put them off telling them I would send it back with the PH upon my return to main camp. I sent a very clear message with very few tips ( mainly reserved for the skinners as I had taken a couple animals there) and no tips for some noting the subpar service. The main camp was like staying at a four star hotle from the food to the tent cleaning and laundry.