Tipping on safari in Uganda : Most tourists ask “how much should I tip on safari in Uganda?” Tipping is slowly becoming a customary practice in Uganda like most of the neighboring countries of East Africa although it is not a culture in Uganda. This is however being adapted especially by people with jobs in the tourism industry especially in hotels, lodges and with guides. Most of the locals in the tourism industry are starting to make it a habit because of the tourists they move and spend time with in the county. Tipping is mainly done by Americans because this has been their culture and is the best way to appreciate service in their country.

Uganda is not one of those countries where tipping is a must after service provision but rather the tourists do it upon their own will and appreciation for the services rendered and they are free not to tip if they don’t feel satisfied with the services. It is only a sign of appreciating the services which most clients do to their lodge attendants, guides and drivers.

Currency for tipping at destinations

After Uganda shillings, US dollars are the secondly widely used currency in Uganda so while tipping local guides or any other service providers in Uganda, it is advisable better that you tip in Uganda Shillings (UGX). This is so because the receiver is able to use the money immediately since using foreign currency will require them to first exchange the currency yet forex bureaus are not easily found in rural areas except towns. In case you do not have enough shillings with you, it is still okay to tip with dollars.

Tipping on safari in Uganda
Uganda Currency Tip

Driver guides will appropriately advise you about tipping

When you organize your Uganda safari with us, you will have a driver guide who is well versed with the professional way of handling each and every thing regarding the tourism activities and any other issues that may come up. You can therefore inquire from them about when to tip and the amount you can tip. The driver guide will also help you to find porters, people to help on some other necessary stuff like laundry among others.

Tipping is good gesture

It is not an obligation to tip in Uganda but it’s a good way to appreciate the services rendered to you especially if you were pleased and it also motivates people who attend to you. These workers earn a salary for their work but their salaries are not big enough due to the costs of living in Uganda and these tips are used to cater for some of their necessities at that moment. For example, people who earn monthly will utilize the tips on expenses such as transport, meals at home, cater for families or even save it for investment. Your tip helps many people out there, it saves someone in one way or the other and is therefore not taken for granted. Tipping staff that attend to you at your lodge and restaurant is very important especially if you plan to use their services repeatedly. It encourages the staff to serve you even beyond their expectation to work, serving you to be more committed and do better than their job description, Tipping on safari in Uganda.

How much should I tip in Uganda 

Most people that get tips from tourists are driver guides, those in restaurants, porters and local guides. Since tipping in Uganda is out of courtesy, it doesn’t matter how much you tip so even a small tip is appreciated.

You may consider US$10 per day if you are pleased with his/her service and in restaurants, $5-$ is a good tip and would be a fair benchmark, though do check this with your safari company in advance. I see no reason why you shouldn’t give a bigger or smaller tip based on the quality of service. It is not essential to tip the guides who take you around in national parks and other reserves, but it is recommended, and the money will be greatly appreciated by the recipient; assuming the service has been good, anything from USD5 to USD30 is fine.

Tipping on safari in Uganda
Uganda Safaris

In some African countries, it is difficult to travel anywhere without being latched onto by a self-appointed guide, who will often expect a tip over and above any agreed fee. This sort of thing is comparatively unusual in Uganda, but if you do take on a freelance guide, then it is advisable to clarify in advance that whatever price you agree is final and inclusive of a tip. It is not customary to tip for service in local bars and hotels, though you may sometimes want to leave a tip (in fact, given the difficulty of finding change in Uganda, you may practically be forced into doing this in some circumstances), Tipping on safari in Uganda.

A tip of 5% would be very acceptable and 10% generous. Generally, any restaurant that caters primarily to tourists and to wealthy Ugandan residents will automatically add a service charge to the bill, but since there’s no telling where that service charge ends up, it would still be reasonable to reward good service with a cash tip.

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