The last time I was at Africa Sky, I needed to visit a pharmacy so the staff at the front desk arranged the ride. I was not charged for that ride and I did not leave a tip for the driver. After reading the tipping thread in the African Big Game section, it made me wonder if most visitors leave a tip for airport pickups and short trips to restaurants/pharmacies/etc. Does anyone tip the driver?

I would have.

My wife and I had a rental car from the airport so we did not use the meet and greet airport service.

Maybe next time I can leave 5 USD as a tip.

I always do.

Yep

The driver probabably makes 50 bucks a week. We always tip very well.

We tip the driver at Africa Sky for even small trips.

chuckmaxman do you mind if I ask how much is VERRY WELL?

quote:

Does anyone tip the driver?

I can only write of Nigeria. Yes if it is the regular hotel driver. As if you do he will often sort out extras for you. As others say what's a dinner out at home for us is a very, very good tip usually.

I also address him as "Mr XXX" according to his name.

NOT extras as in "female company"!

But extras as in if you see something on a roadside stall when out and about and want it he may well go back and get it for you at the local price and not the "white man's price".

He'll also usually know the local shopping malls, KFC (if that floats your boat) and other specialist shops for mobile 'phone repairs, new sets of clothes, good shoes and etc, etc.

I don't tip the minibus driver for the four hour journey from Lagos to Benin City as that's a scheduled bus service albeit they only depart when they've a full load of passengers.

You should. In Botwana, we had a similar situation and gave the lady $20 you would have thought we gave her a gold bar.

Yes.

Yes.

My wife and I were having difficulties in OR Tambo and it seemed that either no one spoke English or refused to help us. We couldn't find SAPS and we're tired,frustrated, and getting angry at our lack of success. Lo and behold, Gilbert, our driver from African Sky spotted us from across the way, ran up and asked how we were doing. We told him and he gave us a huge grin and said "Follow me". Within 15 minutes we had been taken through the layers of RSA beauracracy and were on our way. Yes I tipped Gilbert generously as we were not guests of African Sky. Cynics will say that he only offered to help so that we would tip him. Be that as it may,I think he wanted to help us as he and we are big country music fans and told him to play it loud to and from the airport. One can usually ascertain the motives of service people and those who genuinely want to be of service stand out from those who don't. End of rant. Jerry Hoover

quote:

Originally posted by Joe Savikataaq Jr:
chuckmaxman do you mind if I ask how much is VERRY WELL?

We all give the driver $10 each when he picks us up and helps with permits. $20 each when he drops us off and helps with check in.

I would have! When someone goes above and beyond, I think they deserve a little extra. It's the same anywhere I happen to be.

Definitely in that case of an extra ride. My norm is that if Gilbert picks me up at airport and then takes me back the next day and gets me all checked in, though the gun stuff twice, etc. I give him $20. He has at least 2 hours in that, and we tip people who simply bring our bags into a hotel room a lot more than that when you look at time/effort. I do always ask if he will be driving me in the morning. If he is not, I tip him that evening and tip whoever drives in the morning then...

yes

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Herald:
Definitely in that case of an extra ride. My norm is that if Gilbert picks me up at airport and then takes me back the next day and gets me all checked in, though the gun stuff twice, etc. I give him $20. He has at least 2 hours in that, and we tip people who simply bring our bags into a hotel room a lot more than that when you look at time/effort. I do always ask if he will be driving me in the morning. If he is not, I tip him that evening and tip whoever drives in the morning then...

I handle it the same way. Gilbert is A+ in my book.

Gilbert and all the drivers from African Sky are worth a good tip.
These are the guys who go to bat for you at the airport. Always nice to have someone on your side.

I did

of course u tip if u cant afford to be generous to these poor folks stay home and if u have to be told where r u from

Thanks for the responses, gentlemen.

I will tip the driver for my next stay. I would have liked to hear from Europeans, I wonder if they also tip.

Make sure you give a tip to the guy who holds your Peter for you when you use the rest room.

Only the tip mind, any more than that and he'll get the wrong idea.