So we are planning our first safari to South Africa coming up shortly and my wife asked about gifts for the local folks over there.
The last thing we want to be is condescending, but would like to help out those less fortunate.
We will be at Zulu Nyala for a week before hunting outside of Kimberley.
My wife also teaches a junior-high Sunday school class that would like to do a small project of some sort for us to deliver.

ANY SUGGESTIONS on what to do and how to go about it????

Trackers and camp staff always seem to appreciate things like t-shirts (they go wild over casino t-shirts from here). Those $10 folding knives with utility knife blades are always useful. For a PH, I've given them things like an E-trex GPS, streamlight, etc. Battery powered gizmos are ok in RSA, but batteries can be hard for them to get in Zim; I have taken batteries and duct tape before, because that's what they said they needed and couldn't get.

I also take my own antibiotics (penicillin allergy) and a few painkillers, and leave then behind along with any OTC meds they can use.

And US dollars are never refused.

I purposefully pack clothing and equipment that I can leave behind. Same for boots, shoes, socks, and gear. Hats, gloves, glasses, scarves. Medical supplies, drink mixes, gum, zip ties, tape, oil, packs and pouches.

PHs seem to like batteries that fit the new generation Surefire-type lights (CR123 I think). I usually take a dozen of those as they are hard to get there.

I go heavy and return very light.

Cash is still king, but other items are appreciated.
T-shirts and tennies are good. In more remote areas, some things are just plain hard to get, like socks and work gloves.
I have brought cheap LCD watches. Consider them disposable, because battery replacements probably can't be had.
In a bush area, some bags of Jolly Rancher hard candies are a hit, as are some packs of duty free smokes.
Again, a lot of this applies more to bush areas.

I always take knifes of all types. They love the folding box knifes because they can get the blades so they always have a very sharp knife (RSA, Namibia & Tanzania). Sun glasses from the dollar store and stocking caps go over big. I usually take about 20 knifes, 10 to 15 pairs of sun glasses. It's funny to see the whole staff wearing sunglasses in camp. Books go over big for those working on their english. My wife almost always leaves any books we bring behind. I have left 60 some Louis La'More books for my PH in Namibia. Spare scopes are prized by the PH, as well as range finders.

You are probably e-mailing your PH, ask him what the staff needs and wants.

Hard candy is good. I always give the trackers a handful in the morning and the kids love it.

It's all appreciated and used. One of the problems we ran into in Namibia was the staff would trade any knife for a glass of wine in town. Don't give expensive knifes to the staff.

Prizes for a camp shoot off. This is some of the most fun you'll have, especially if you are hunting with big bore rifles. It's the hardest I have seen one PH laugh. If you don't video anything else, video the shoot off.
Tom

I all ways leave behind shoes and jeans. And candy seems to go over very well.

wildfowl - If you are an SCI member look into the Safari Care Blue Bag program. It's perfect for the wife and her students to work on. Check with your PH and most likely the area you will be hunting will have a school and some sort of clinic.

Fill the bag, bags with school supplies, OTC meds , 1st aid supplies, sweet treats etc.. We took two bags to Moz last year and it was very well received and appreciated. If you are not a SCI member, join or make up your own bags and take along. SCI has a list of items that give you a headstart on this.

Most PH's like money unless it's something reallly special like guns, binos I have found. Camp staff members will most likelly trade and barter the goodies you leave, so everyone usually comes out with something they want or need.

Have a great time and good luck.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

wildfowl,

quote:

The last thing we want to be is condescending, but would like to help out those less fortunate.

Will's concept is Spot-On .....

quote:

I go heavy and return very light

Baseball Caps, any color and any motive!
T-Shirts (new & used - the more colorful, the better)
Sweatshirts (same applies)
Stocking Caps
Dollar-Store Sun Glasses
Children's Clothing - especially Toddlers, Family Hand-Me-Downs are highly appreciated.

No Knives & Binos for the Staff - they get bartered off real quick. The knives kept get sharpened on stones.

I give all the Spoils (see next) to the Outfitter; his Wife or Significant Other always takes care of "Distribution" as appropriate; since there is always Camp/Farm Politics and a Pecking Order that is beyond my scope - they decide; it's their operation and it normally gets doled out piecemeal. One year the red Formula-1 Mercedes-Benz baseball caps (a whole stack from my Brother-in-Law) were all the fashion!

Other than Smokes & Candy the Staff gets dealt with by the Outfitter and I take care of the Outfitter & PH's at the end of the Trail.

I purchase Smokes where ever I land - they're always the Zimbabwian smuggled sort; all you have to do is ask your Driver - he'll know which street corner to stop at ..... don't wait too long either, the Logistics Tail goes dry quickly. At least 2 cartons (2 weeks). I put a coupla packs per day in my Day-Bag and hand 'em out as tips for jobs well done - highly appreciated. Disposable lighters in various Red, Violet & Pink colors also. The Duty Free's are too exotic, they won't get opened rather traded off in a bad bargan as well.

Hard Candy is a big hit.

If the sizes fit my Outfitter & PH's I leave my Bass Pro & Cabelas cammo clothing; all of it. Shirts, Pants, T-Shirts, Vests, Hat, Gloves, Belts & Bandanas - it is much better quality than what can be obtained locally.

Ray-o-Vac has a $21.00 C-Cell green aluminium rubber-handled flashlight that verges on Surefire or Streamlight potential (at twice the size) and they almost caused a Civil Disturbance among the PH's; each of us had one (4 last year in Namibia) and they didn't remain in our possession after the first time it got dark (always pack an extra headlamp) - exotic batteries are too hard to come by. They're still screaming rave reviews about those flashlights.

One trip my PH was in love with my 3-9x40 Zeiss Conquest from Day 1. Naturally it came off my rifle after the last shot. He already had it mounted the following morning. He's still got it and dotes on the quality. His US Dollar tip was adjsuted accordingly (see last paragraph).

I usually ask the Outfitter in advance if there is anything specific they require. Sometimes the requests are pretty Bizzare but they really appreciate it. It's covered pretty mcuh all the bases from Allergy medicine to brand name bullets for those who reload.

Of course Greenbacks are still the standard for the Outfitter & PH's.

I give considerable consideration to this part of the Trip; like you mention I don't want to be condescending nor perceived as an over affluent A$$hole - the right balance is always best.

Waidmannsheil & Have Fun in RSA!

Take it from someone who's been involved in the African hunting industry for 30 years, hunted 7 African countries and kicked around several more than that......If you genuinly don't want to be seen as condescending, just tip in cash and forget ALL that other bollocks.

Even the trackers will have kids in school (fees need to be paid) and they'll all have other bills to pay as well. Anything you give them including gaffer tape, GPS, knives T shirts, jeans, jackets, cigarettes and cigarette lighters can ALL be bought locally and almost certainly for less money than you'll pay in the USA, Europe or the UK. - For example, the local shops sell a pair of decent quality (but not known make) jeans for ZAR75 and upwards. Cheap T shirts cost anything from ZAR25. A cheap watch can be bought for as little as ZAR50.

African culture is very different to western culture and they'll be (or rather look) grateful for anything you give them but the reality is as soon as you're out the door, the whole lot of it will go down to the local pawn shop and be exchanged for whatever cash they can get for it. The only ones who get benefit from that are the Indian traders.

The only time you should take an object is if asked to do so by the PH etc..... and then he'll usually offer to pay you for it when you arrive.

There are a very few places in Africa that rule doesn't apply but they're very few and far between and SA most certainly ain't one of 'em.

Hell even my Tanzanian trackers and cooks etc have got their own locally bought DVD players, I pods and cell phones and there ain't one 'em that doesn't know how to use the internet or hasn't heard of ebay.

Even my garden boy here in SA arrives with an I pod in his ears, a cell phone in his pocket and usually dressed smarter than I am. He then changes into old clothes to work.

All that said, don't for a moment think they see overseas hunters as 'over affluent a$$holes' because they don't. The vast majority just see you as coming from a different culture with different ways...... it's only the very few that see you as 'over affluent a$$holes' and they would be FAR too polite to show it!

Save yourself the excess baggage charges and just take money instead of all that other stuff..... Believe me chaps, the days of beads and mirrors are long gone. Especially in SA.

Steve: I don't think anyone is advocating that a gift of merchandise eliminates the cash tip. I tip AND I give my clothes and gear away.

The guys may be putting on a show and acting like they appreciate the gifts, but I have seen pictures from two or three seasons after the fact where they are wearing the coat, hat, boots, etc. that I gave them.

I think good clothing and equipment is highly apreciated IN ADDITION to a cash tip.

My, $.02.

Don't believe it mate.....

If you just took the money you pay in excess baggage alone for those items and gave it to them, they could buy most of the items cheaper than you would pay if they wanted to AND you wouldn't have had the expense and hassle of buying them.

In reality, if you gave them the money they'd use it to pay for essentials such as school fees etc rather than spend it on the same items you wanted to give them.

The only people to get any real benefit from most if not all of those gifts in most African countries are the Indian traders who run the pawn shops etc.

Give 'em money instead and they'll appreciate it much more and it'll be a lot more use to them.

Steve-
I agree that cash is what is most needed by everyone there. When I was a kid, it was my favorite gift from my aunts and uncles.
That being said, there is more to a gift than a simple transfer of value. I think most givers get something of value from the notion that what they are giving will be personally used by the recipient, someone they wish to in a small way honor.
I think it gives the hunter a chance to give something of himself, when he spends time coming up with something useful, and goes through the hassle of getting it there.
The last time I went to a safari area in Zim, for example, I bought a bunch of those LED lights that clip onto your cap visor. I also gave the outfitter some cards of wafer batteries since I figured replacements would be tough there. The fireboy was using his the next morning, as he hadn't a light before. Some of the lower echelon camp staff had truly come with virtually nothing but the cloths on their backs. My buddy left one a jacket which he very much needed. Our trackers had homes with satellite TV, but there still wasn't a store in the bush where they could get a decent pair of socks. Money for the kids' school fees, but a couple pairs of Smartwools for next week! When I produced a carton of smokes, I noticed that floor sweepings rolled in newsprint stopped coming out.
While it is true that what they need most is money, I still think that with just a little thought, small gifts can augment what we give.
In other words, a gift is not a tip, it's a gift.
Gift giving is a bit of the romance of safari, or for that matter, travel. Beads and mirrors might just be a little over the top, though.

Marty,

I appreciate what you say, esp about a gift being part of the romance of safari.... but I'll point out there's a world of difference between Zim and RSA.

In South Africa, if you want to feel good about yourself, then give gifts such as has been mentioned but if you want to be of real use to the locals, forget the gifts and give money.

BTW what are "cards of wafer batteries"? We probably know them by another name but I don't know that name.

Steve-
Wafer batteries might also be known as coin cells, as opposed to the little "button cells" used in some devices. These things cost like $3-4 each at a Radio Shack, but can be had on card packs of a dozen or two of from sellers on Ebay for practically nothing.

OK, like batteries for hearing aids and cameras etc?

I've just bought myself some Walkers game ears which are hearing aids and hearing protection combined and only today bought some batteries for them.... cost was ZAR35 for 4 batteries.

One thing we can't usually buy here are the Surefire batteries and on the odd occasion we can buy them, they cost a fortune. - They're useful to the PH but of course only if he uses the Surefire torches...

The coin cells are used more in calculators. They are perhaps 1.5cm in diameter and a couple mm thick. The Surefire batteries are called cr123 lithium batteries. Those buggers are expensive if you don't know where to buy them. They are around $6-7 even at a Walmart! I get them from http://www.botach.com where they can be bought for around a dollar when purchased in bulk. The good news is that lithium cells have a 10 year shelf life, so if you buy 50 you can have a multi year supply.
Is that something we should consider bringing for our outfitters?
It seems to me there are some rules about lithium cells in luggage, but I'm not sure about that.

The lithium battery rules are supposed to apply to computer batteries etc only and they state they should be in individual packages to insulate them..... but some airline staff apply those rules to Surefire batteries. The battery carriers that look like speedloaders solve the problem if there is one.

Best thing to do is ask the outfitter if he needs anything but a lot depends on where he's located. If in SA, most things are available.... not everything, but most.

One of the few things in my area at least that's as rare as rocking horse doo doos is good Islay malt whisky. We can buy Highland etc at a high price but hardly ever Islay at any price. ...... and of course Surefire batteries!

Usually a PH or outfitter will ask if he wants something from overseas and many, myself included will either send the money across beforehand or order online and have the item delivered to the overseas address so the client and/or AR buddy can just bring it across with him.

As an example, I just sent money across for a set of Walker's game ears and with the kindness of various AR members managed to get them bought and delivered.

The price I paid was about US$250 and if I'd bought a similar product here (but from a different manufacturer) I'd have had to pay US$3000.

Steve-
Here's a link to what some kindhearted soul stateside can order and bring you.
http://www.botachtactical.com/ra3liba10.html

Unfortunately, these guys don't sell Laphroig or Lagavulin.

These Islay malts were my favs back when I used to drink. But I wax nostalgic.

Thanks Marty.

I'm OK fot batteries just now because DDRHook bought me a load over when we hunted Uganda recently but I'll bookmark the page for sure.

Ardbeg is my favourite Islay but I enjoy all of them when I can find them.

Wildfowl,

It may not give you the satisfaction that giving clothing or other gifts would but I agree with Steve that cash is best. If you were going to tip in cash and give a small gift just add a litte to your cash tip and don't pack the other things. I've carried knives, hats, lighters, t-shirts etc but cash is the best gift of all, the easiest to transport and there is no worry about being condescending or insulting.

Mark

This is the local school that you will see at Zulu Nyala. Be sure and see it. It will make you feel better about your life. Whether you bring cash or supplies they will appreciate it.

I think alot of what everyone is posting about really just depends on where you are hunting! Just ask the PH well in advance and bring whatever he says is needed or what is customary.

I asked the PH before I came over.
He said they needed coat hangers for the family...I had plenty to bring, they were really greatful to get them.

Tips for the staff: He said to give him cash to give out, anything given would be sold at the nearest town.

That said I did bring/leave some shoes behind that I brought for wearing around the lodge/back up. Perfect fit for one of the trackers!

I left some buckshot, one box of rifle ammo, and a set of rechargable batteries and charger. Turned out the PH and I had the exact same camera. He said he could only get a few pics out of regular batteries. I wasn't planning on leaving it but was happy to do so.

When we were in Namibia in 2006 we took some of the Cabelas' folding knives for each of the help at the camp. Within two months one of them had killed another and another one had seriously cut up his brother!! That was it: no more knives.
The only problem with giving candy is that dental care is rather poor amongst most of the camp workers and candy does not make the situation any better.
Cash, especially USD, is always King.
Having said that anything you take there will be greatly appreciated by the locals.
Jas

I'm always surprised to see what good repair most African's teeth are in, given the lack of dental care.
Yet another reason to give them cigarettes instead of candy?

Marty - Are you saying we are better off ruining their lungs than ruining their teeth? In reality, don't know if either item is much of a gift?

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Marty:
I'm always surprised to see what good repair most African's teeth are in, given the lack of dental care.
Yet another reason to give them cigarettes instead of candy?

Larry-
Just funnin' ya. I do feel a bit of a hypocrite, sometimes, as much time as I spend counselling patients about their smoking habits, then passing them out like Halloween candy. Say, there's an idea...

Marty - Just gigging you along too. Couldn't pass that one up. It's a fact that most there have a sweet tooth and smoke!! Come to think of it so do alot of folks around where I live.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Marty:
Larry-
Just funnin' ya. I do feel a bit of a hypocrite, sometimes, as much time as I spend counselling patients about their smoking habits, then passing them out like Halloween candy. Say, there's an idea...

Thanks for all the replies! I have every intention to tip, I was just curious what else would be welcomed.

like Shakari said,, ask your Ph. My Ph wife asked for DVD's.. like disney,, "G" rated videos for her kids, etc. In fact she sent me a list of prefered DVD's if I could find them. I took Jolly ranchers as candy,,, for several reasons,, I like them when I hunt, track etc, helps keep my mouth moist,, and I share them with the trackers that I hunt with. I can't eat candy in front of them and not share, just not polite!
Ph may need trail cameras, etc, and they do offer to pay in my past experience,, I just get them what the need. I have taken prescription products, medicine, glasses, contacts etc that were hard for them to get,,, that is my field of practice,, just considered it part of the goodwill,,,,, after what they may need or ask for,,,, cash,, give cash,, even the kids want cash!

Is there a concern w/ PH's about clients being "too" generous with trackers vis a vis what their expectations might be for the next clients coming through? Also, is it best to give whatever you are giving to the PH to give to the tracker or is it ok to give to the tracker directly so as to show sincere appreciation for his skills and services?

It's always a good idea to discuss tip amounts to local staff with your PH beforehand.

As to tipping direct or to the PH, everyone has their own preferred system. FWIW, I prefer the client to give it direct to the staff so that both client & staff know I'm not keeping some for myself.

It's a matter of not only being honest but being seen to be honest.

I always tip with cash but also give crank flashlights to the staff. I have been told many times by PH's the staff love them.

Check with your Ph see what he thinks the staff might need. I have talked to friends who say they take the clothes and smile but it's a standing joke with them that (the Muzugu thinks we can't afford to buy our own clothes clothes) my mine workers looking like they had only rages to wear till it was time to go to town then they had better clothes than I did. Common sence to them is not wearing your good clothes to work. CASH IS KING. if you ask the PH he will tell you if the staff has kids in school and if some school supplies would be welcome.

PS anything I did not want to bring back I gave to STEVE he looked like he needed it

Mate, you could dress me in the most expensive made to measure Saville Row suit and I'd still look like a sack of shit that's been tied up in the middle.

you should see my gardener when he arrives for work..... you'd think he's going to work in the stock exchange or for dinner with the Queen and then he changes into rags for his days work.... If I put an old buggered tee shirt or anything else for that matter out there for him to use as rags but haven't cut it up, he thinks I've put them out for him to wear and no matter how stuffed up they are, he'll wear them until they literally fall apart.

Just a different mindset I guess.

my cook at the mine was the same way his shirt a collection of holes with a few threads around it. I never saw him with shoes on till we where headed to town then he had a really nice pair of rebok's on.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
Take it from someone who's been involved in the African hunting industry for 30 years, hunted 7 African countries and kicked around several more than that......If you genuinly don't want to be seen as condescending, just tip in cash and forget ALL that other bollocks.

Even the trackers will have kids in school (fees need to be paid) and they'll all have other bills to pay as well. Anything you give them including gaffer tape, GPS, knives T shirts, jeans, jackets, cigarettes and cigarette lighters can ALL be bought locally and almost certainly for less money than you'll pay in the USA, Europe or the UK. - For example, the local shops sell a pair of decent quality (but not known make) jeans for ZAR75 and upwards. Cheap T shirts cost anything from ZAR25. A cheap watch can be bought for as little as ZAR50.

African culture is very different to western culture and they'll be (or rather look) grateful for anything you give them but the reality is as soon as you're out the door, the whole lot of it will go down to the local pawn shop and be exchanged for whatever cash they can get for it. The only ones who get benefit from that are the Indian traders.

The only time you should take an object is if asked to do so by the PH etc..... and then he'll usually offer to pay you for it when you arrive.

There are a very few places in Africa that rule doesn't apply but they're very few and far between and SA most certainly ain't one of 'em.

Hell even my Tanzanian trackers and cooks etc have got their own locally bought DVD players, I pods and cell phones and there ain't one 'em that doesn't know how to use the internet or hasn't heard of ebay.

Even my garden boy here in SA arrives with an I pod in his ears, a cell phone in his pocket and usually dressed smarter than I am. He then changes into old clothes to work.

All that said, don't for a moment think they see overseas hunters as 'over affluent a$$holes' because they don't. The vast majority just see you as coming from a different culture with different ways...... it's only the very few that see you as 'over affluent a$$holes' and they would be FAR too polite to show it!

Save yourself the excess baggage charges and just take money instead of all that other stuff..... Believe me chaps, the days of beads and mirrors are long gone. Especially in SA.

Thanks, Steve. That will make it easy.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
FWIW, I prefer the client to give it direct to the staff so that both client & staff know I'm not keeping some for myself.

It's a matter of not only being honest but being seen to be honest.

That's exactly what our PH requested that we do when I asked him about tips for the staff.

In addition to our cash tip, we left any spare .30-06 premium ammo as the PH's had guns in the same caliber along with a set of high-lumen LED flashlights plus rechargeable batteries (They can also use the 123-type batteries).

ammo is always a good thing to leave. the cr123 batteries can be bought online for about a buck apiece. I took about 40 of them to Steve. Thought I was going to have to slap him he kept trying to kiss me

quote:

Originally posted by ddrhook:
ammo is always a good thing to leave. the cr123 batteries can be bought online for about a buck apiece. I took about 40 of them to Steve. Thought I was going to have to slap him he kept trying to kiss me

I guess it was almost assault for batteries!