Our tipping guideline for a safari guide in Tanzania is US$10 per person per day, paid in cash at the end of the trip. A couple on a 3-day safari would budget about US$60 in total, and a family of four on a 4-day safari about US$160. Tips are never included in the trip price and are always at your discretion.
Last updated: 12 October 2026. Prices checked against the live trip pages on lekobeadventures.com.
Tipping is one of the questions travellers from the USA, the UK and Europe ask us most before they book. In the US, tipping is expected almost everywhere; in much of Europe it is modest or optional. A safari sits somewhere in between, so it helps to have a clear, simple number before you leave home. This guide explains how much to tip your safari guide in Tanzania, who else you might want to thank, how to hand over a tip politely, and how to build it into your budget.
How much should you tip a safari guide in Tanzania?
On every Lekobe safari, the “Cost Excludes” list on the trip page shows the same line: Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day). That figure is per person, per day of the safari, and it is meant for your driver-guide, the person who drives the 4×4, finds the wildlife, explains what you are seeing and looks after you from pickup to drop-off.
Why a per-person, per-day guideline works
A per-person, per-day number scales fairly. A solo traveller on a one-day trip gives a small amount; a larger group on a longer safari gives more, because the guide has spent more days looking after more people. It also makes budgeting easy: multiply the number of travellers by the number of safari days and you have your figure.
It is a guideline, not a fee
Tipping is voluntary. If your guide went out of their way, for example spending extra time with a leopard sighting, adapting the day for a child or a guest with limited mobility, or handling a flat tyre calmly, you may want to give more. If something genuinely went wrong, tell us, because we want to know. You should never feel pressured to tip on the spot.
Safari tipping examples with real trip prices
The table below applies our US$10 per person per day guideline to some of our most popular trips. Trip prices are the “from” prices per person shown on the live trip pages. Final quotes depend on group size, travel dates and accommodation.
| Trip | From price (per person) | Safari days | Tip per person | Tip for a couple | Tip for a family of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Private Safari to Mikumi NP from Zanzibar | US$550 | 1 | US$10 | US$20 | US$40 |
| 2-Day Shared Safari to Nyerere NP from Zanzibar | US$750 | 2 | US$20 | US$40 | US$80 |
| 3-Day Private Camping Safari to Serengeti & Ngorongoro | US$1,272 | 3 | US$30 | US$60 | US$120 |
| 3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Fly in from Zanzibar | US$2,068 | 3 | US$30 | US$60 | US$120 |
| 4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro from Zanzibar | US$2,025 | 4 | US$40 | US$80 | US$160 |
As you can see, tips add a small share to the overall cost. For the full picture of what a safari from Zanzibar costs, including what is and is not included, read our guide to safari from Zanzibar cost.
Does tipping change on a shared, private or fly-in safari?
The guideline stays the same: US$10 per person per day. What changes is how it adds up.
Shared safaris
On a shared safari you travel with other guests, so each traveller tips for themselves. If six guests each follow the guideline on a 2-day trip such as the 2-Day Shared Safari to Nyerere NP from Zanzibar (from US$750 per person), each person gives US$20. It is perfectly fine to tip individually rather than collecting as a group.
Private safaris
On a private safari the vehicle and guide are yours alone. Your party simply multiplies the guideline by the number of people and days. Many travellers on private trips tip a little more because the guide has tailored the pace to them, but that is a personal choice. Our article on shared vs private safari in Tanzania compares the two styles in detail.
Fly-in safaris from Zanzibar
On fly-in trips such as the 3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Fly in from Zanzibar (from US$2,068 per person), you still spend your days in the park with a driver-guide, so the same guideline applies.
Who else might you tip on safari and in Zanzibar?
Your guide is the main person to thank, and our guideline is designed for them. Depending on your trip, you may meet other people who help make it work.
- Lodge and camp staff: if you would like to thank housekeeping or kitchen staff, ask reception how they prefer to receive tips. This is separate from your guide’s tip.
- Transfer drivers: for a short airport or hotel transfer, a small thank-you is a kind gesture but not expected in the same way as a full safari day.
- Zanzibar excursions: on our beach holidays, such as the 5-Day Zanzibar Beach Holiday Adventure (from US$1,210 per person), the trip page lists the same US$10 per person per day guideline.
Tipping on Kilimanjaro is different
A Kilimanjaro climb uses a full mountain crew. Our 8-Day Kilimanjaro Trek: Machame Route (from US$2,690 per person) includes a guide, assistant guide, cook and porters, and the trip page lists tips as excluded, with guidelines provided. Because crew sizes vary by group, we share the crew tipping guideline with you when you book rather than using the safari figure. Find out more about the mountain on our Mount Kilimanjaro page.
When and how to tip your safari guide
Good tipping etiquette is simple and makes the moment pleasant for everyone.
Tip at the end, not every day
Give your tip on the last day, usually when your guide drops you at the airport, airstrip or hotel. Tipping once at the end lets you reflect on the whole experience and avoids awkward daily handovers.
Use cash in an envelope
Tips are given in cash. Put the amount in an envelope with a short thank-you note and hand it to your guide personally. If you travelled in a group, each person or family can give their own envelope.
Carry the right cash
- Bring US dollars or Tanzanian shillings and keep your tip money separate from your spending money.
- Bring smaller notes so you can give exact amounts without needing change.
- Work out your total before you travel: travellers × safari days × US$10.
- Ask us before you travel if you are unsure which currency suits your itinerary.
For more practical advice on cash, documents and what to pack, see our top 10 safari tips for first-time travellers.
How to budget for tips on a Tanzania safari
Tips are one of the few costs not covered in your trip price, so it is worth listing them alongside your other extras. Our safari prices include park fees for non-residents, accommodation as listed, a professional driver-guide, transport, taxes and meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary. The trip pages list these items as excluded:
- International flights to and from Tanzania
- Extra accommodation before or after the tour
- Tips (guideline US$10 per person per day)
- Personal items such as souvenirs, travel insurance and visa fees
- Any government-imposed increase in taxes or park fees
National parks in Tanzania are managed by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), and the Ngorongoro Crater by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. If either body raises its fees after you book, that difference is the only change to your included costs. Tips stay entirely in your hands.
A quick budgeting example
A couple choosing the 4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro from Zanzibar (from US$2,025 per person) would set aside US$80 for their guide: 2 people × 4 days × US$10. Planning to visit the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in one trip? That figure stays the same whichever parks you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Is tipping mandatory on a Tanzania safari?
No. Tipping is voluntary and at your discretion, and it is not included in the trip price. That said, it is customary to thank your safari guide, and most travellers do. Our guideline of US$10 per person per day gives you a fair, simple starting point that you can raise if your guide went the extra mile.
Should I tip in US dollars or Tanzanian shillings?
Either is fine for tipping your Lekobe guide. Many international travellers find US dollars easiest because the guideline is set in dollars, while shillings are useful if you are already carrying local currency. Bring smaller notes so you can give the exact amount, and ask us before you travel if you are unsure which suits your itinerary.
How much should a couple tip for a 3-day safari?
Following our guideline, a couple on a 3-day safari would tip around US$60 in total: 2 people × 3 days × US$10. On a trip such as the 3-Day Private Camping Safari to Serengeti & Ngorongoro, that sits alongside a trip price from US$1,272 per person. You can give more if your experience was outstanding.
Do I tip on a one-day safari from Zanzibar?
Yes, the same guideline applies to day trips. A solo traveller on the 1-Day Private Safari to Mikumi NP from Zanzibar (from US$550 per person) would tip around US$10, and a family of four about US$40. Hand it to your guide at the end of the day before your return to Zanzibar.
When should I give the tip to my guide?
Give it at the end of your safari, usually when your guide drops you at the airport, airstrip or hotel. One handover at the end is simpler than daily tipping and lets you thank your guide for the whole experience. An envelope with a short note is a thoughtful touch that guides appreciate.
Plan your Tanzania safari with Lekobe Adventures
Want a clear, all-in quote with no surprises? Tell us your dates, group size and the parks you would like to see, and we will send you a tailored price, including what to budget for tips and extras.
- WhatsApp us: +255 676 68 1293
- Email: info@lekobeadventures.com
- Or use the enquiry form on any trip page, such as the 1-Day Private Safari to Mikumi NP from Zanzibar or the 3-Day Private Camping Safari to Serengeti & Ngorongoro.
Whether you are planning a beach break on Zanzibar Island with a short safari or a full week in the northern parks, our team will help you plan every detail.
