Tipping is not mandatory in Uganda and Rwanda but it is customary, especially where someone has gone the extra mile to help you or give you good service.
Salaries can be low in these countries and responsibilities many, so tips are always very much appreciated.
It is for you to decide if you wish to tip and, if so, how much, but we know many of our clients welcome advice on what may be appropriate.
Tips are usually given fairly discretely unless given by a group.
Tip in the local currency preferably or in USD. Cash is best. Online currency converter
We suggest below, how much each person could give but tips may vary according to the standard of service received, the size of your group and your own personal circumstances. Your personal safari guide can advise further, during your holiday.
Safari guide – $10-20 per person, per day.
Your safari guide is with you throughout your visit and will enrich your experience by sharing their knowledge of the country, its wildlife, places and people. They will also smooth the way by, for example, helping you to check-in at your accommodations.
Most guides are freelance and earn their money during peak seasons so they can be away from their families for extended periods and work long hours. They will doubtless have extended families they are responsible for supporting.
Accommodation
- All staff: $15-30 per person, for a 2-night stay
You may visit several properties during your holiday and we suggest you give a general tip to be shared by all the staff. Most places have a staff tip box at reception. - Individual staff: $5-10 per person
If you wish to tip a specific member of staff, you can give it to them directly.
Primate tracking (gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys)
When you track, you will be in a group of no more than 8 visitors. Several people may accompany you: a Wildlife Authority guide leading the group, other armed rangers, researchers, trackers and you can hire private porters from the local community for $20. Your safari guide will not be allowed to accompany you.
- Guide: $10-20 per person in the group
- Accompanying staff: $5-10 each person
- Porters: $5-10 per person
Activity or site guides: $10-20 per person
Most activities – from bird watching to kayaking – will have a local leader or site guide who is responsible for the success and safety of the activity.
Airport transfers: $5-10 per person
Sometimes accommodation staff will transfer you to/from the airport in a hotel shuttle.
Other assistance – at your discretion
During your holiday, you may meet people who assist you and would like to show your appreciation. This will be well-received and the amount is up to you, perhaps decide according to how they have helped you. For example, a client once lost a pair of expensive glasses while trekking through a forest. Her local guide re-traced their route through the forest and managed to find the glasses. A tip was in order to reward his effort, expertise and recognising the value of the glasses.
Restaurants
In many restaurants, a 10-15% service charge is normally added to your bill. If not, a 10% tip is appropriate.
Students on educational visits
It is widely accepted that students have little spare money and therefore tipping is not always necessary. However, the student group may wish to collect $10-20 per person to collectively tip their tour leaders and $5-10 per person for their driver.
Donations
Tips are not the only way to appreciate or support those you visit.
Venture Uganda Travel has a number of projects to support local communities. We can add an amount of your choice to your holiday invoice or you can give cash, in person, during your holiday.
Our current projects focus on tree-planting at a school and on our private land to improve nutrition, tackle climate change and expand wildlife habitats. Read more
Depending on who you visit and in what way you are able to help, you could also, for example, donate sports equipment, unwanted laptops or scholastic materials to a local school; or binoculars and bird books to site guides or local clubs.