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The problem with tips is that every country has its own culture about it and generally it's a very strong culture.

The Aussies for example developed a non tipping culture right from the start and other cultures went right the opposite direction.

A lot of Americans seem to think that traditionally, they're the biggest tippers and that's a bit of a misconception. That's an observation, not a criticism.

In African based cultures there are similar differences from country to country as well. South Africa at one end of the scale tends to have fewer staff and they usually earn lower wages. Reasons for this are many and varied but a lot of it boils down to the country having a better infra structure and lower living costs etc. (this is now beginning to change a tad though!)

At the other end of the scale are countries such as Tanzania where hunting camps have more staff at higher wages, much higher living costs, less infra structure and greater distances etc.

This means that average (if there is such a thing) amount of tips and number of staff to tip, vary from country to country and what's appropriate in one country has no relevence whatsoever to what's appropriate in another country.

As to wages, I can understand why most companies prefer not to discuss it with people outside the industry. Firstly it varies from company to company and indeed, as John says, there are a few that don't pay their ataff at all..... there's others that promise payment but don't deliver. However, these companies are not the ones you should be booking with, because if they're going to do that to their own staff, you can be sure that the hunter is going to get his fair share of being buggered about. - Unfortunately, some people fail to realise that you get what you pay for and don't get what you don't pay for. Ideally, all hunters would make quality their first priority when buying a hunt but sadly, many make cost their first priority. Also remember that most here wouldn't be prepared to discuss their own salaries, personal finances or what they pay their staff etc, so why should people in the hunting industry be any different?

All that said, I personally believe that these things should be viewed as 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do' For example, if I went to a country where tipping is not considered normal or acceptable, I wouldn't tip. If I went to a country where 15% was the norm, then I'd tip 15%.

As to the case in hand........ assuming it's a fairly average smallish scale South African (PG) hunt, the client can expect a fairly small number of staff. Probably a tracker and a skinner (although one guy might do both jobs) plus a maid or two to look after the rooms and do the laundry, a cook and maybe a waiter. These people and their families will be fed, clothed and housed etc by their employer and will also be paid a smallish (by western standards) salary. PHs (assuming they don't own the company) are usually paid on a per day they hunt basis but obviously have their own bills to pay throughout the year.

So what should you give as a tip? I'd recommend you classify the local staff into two groups. Tracker, skinner, cook and waiter should get something in the region of R400-R800 each for the 10 day hunt and the maids/laundry girls maybe about 30% less than that each.

As to PHs....... this one varies more but somewhere between about US$200 - US$500 or so. Note incidentally that in most parts of Africa, it's usual to tip the local staff in Rands and the PH in USD but in SA, you could probably do what's most convenient for you.

In closing, I'll say that these things do vary not only from country to country but also by company to company and it's always a good idea to consult your own safari company for advice on their own operation.

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Steve "Shakari" Robinson
Kuduland Safaris (Africa) Ltd
info@kuduland.com
www.kuduland.com

Edited by shakari (19/08/09 11:07 PM)

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