Cash
Please travel with sufficient cash, as getting cash while in Africa can be difficult. It is very common for travelers to wish they brought more cash for gratuities! In most countries you can pay in US dollars, but you need to have newer and good quality bills (2013 or newer, not marked or torn).
Credit Cards
You may be able to make payment with a credit card at city hotels, in city shops, and at some safari lodges. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, but American Express is rarely accepted.
Tipping & Gratuities
While tipping is not compulsory and is highly discretionary, in cases where you receive good service, gratuities are always appreciated, and this is most true in the safari camps.
You may come across tipping advice at some properties that differs from our recommendations below. Our recommendations are in line with industry standards and, if anything, err on the side of generosity.
*If you are directly solicited for tips by lodge staff, we recommend reporting this to the camp manager. However, we realize this can be awkward, so you are welcome to bring that feedback to us instead.
*If you are considering tipping above our recommended amounts or giving significant additional gifts to someone you met on safari, we would love to discuss it with you and provide advice in this regard.
Historically, tipping is done in cash. This is what we recommend as this makes things easiest for those you are tipping. However, some properties allow gratuities to be put on a credit card. Please let us know if you are interested in tipping with a credit card, and we can discuss where that might be possible in your particular itinerary.
Tipping is customarily done at the conclusion of your stay at a camp. You will tip your safari guide separate from the remaining camp staff. Most camps have a box in the main area where you can tip all the non-guide staff—these funds are distributed among waiters, bartenders, housekeepers, and the many other crucial back-of-house staff that you may never meet.
Below are generally recommended tipping guidelines:
- Safari Guide – $20 per guest per day
- General Lodge Staff – $20 per guest per day (placed in the communal tip box)
- Camp Managers/Hosts – Camp managers/hosts are more highly remunerated and so do not partake in the communal tips; you are welcome to tip your host if you wish, but you should not feel obligated.
- Other Trackers/Paddlers/Porters (including for primate treks) – $10 per guest per activity/day
- Tour Guides in Cities – $20 per guest per day
- Road Transfers in Cities – $10 per guest per transfer (increase for longer drives)
- Airport Assistance and Baggage Handling – $3-5 per guest
- Private Butler (where applicable) – $10 per guest per day
- Restaurants – 15% of meal cost
Other Expenses While Traveling
Your itinerary file clearly states what is included throughout your Piper & Heath journey. Additional costs you may incur during your trip include visas, tips and gratuities (see above discussion), lunches and dinners in the cities, laundry and drinks at properties that are not fully inclusive, certain not-included activities at safari lodges (e.g. hot air ballooning), and any shopping you might do!
Protecting Your Valuables
You should take these basic precautions to protect your valuables while traveling.
- Make use of the in-room safes where available; ask camp management to store your valuables in the office safe where necessary.
- Do not create unnecessary temptation for lodge staff by leaving cash and valuables lying around in your room or in vehicles.
- Do not put valuables (i.e. cash or cameras) or medication in checked luggage.
- Do not leave your bags unattended in airports.
- Use zip ties to secure your checked luggage on flights. (You could use a luggage lock, but TSA has the right to search any bag, and they have been known to break and discard luggage locks.)
