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HOW TO TIP IN TANZANIA
In the U.S. tipping is customary and expected for everything from lackluster to outstanding service. It is an etiquette that is ingrained in all trades, from wait staff at restaurants to our baristas, valets, cab drivers, porters, and many more trades. The question `when?` or `how much?` can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies.
This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
Tipping in Tanzania is a common practice, and should always depend upon the quality of service received. Your tips will be highly appreciated by your tour guide and lodge staff. Tips should only be left if you are completely satisfied with the service. For many working in the service industry in Tanzania including waiters, guides, and trackers; tips are a significant part of their income.
There is a strong culture of tipping for tourist services provided in Tanzania. Tipping is expected for climbs, safaris, other guided activities, and at tourist accommodations. Tips can be given in Tanzanian Shillings or US dollars.
The currency of Arusha is the Tanzanian Shilling, the US dollar is also widely accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Shilling, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?Leaving a tip for the waitstaff at restaurants is common, leaving a small amount on top of your bill is sufficient. You can either round up to the nearest thousand or five thousand shillings (around 3-5%). Your server will be very grateful for the tip. When dining at a restaurant or dining room at lodges there is a communal tip box where tips are distributed among workers.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
Tipping hotel staff is common in Tanzania, tipping a bellboy around 2,500 Shillings or $1 per piece of luggage is recommended. Most accommodations in the country have a tip-box located at the reception where tips can be left and distributed to the entire staff. It is recommended to carry a few dollar bills with you for smaller tips, you can also tip in the local currency.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?Tipping taxi drivers in Tanzania is common, rounding up the change or leaving a few dollars is appropriate. Always remember when traveling abroad that it is good practice to agree on a final fare before the cab driver begins driving.
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?Tanzania is popular for safari tours, and many other organized tours, it is customary to tip the guide/driver/cook at the end of these tours. Safari workers rely on these tips to meet the basic needs of their families, so your tip will go a long way. There are shared tip boxes at lodges which are divided between staff. Tipping your tour guide and safari driver is done separately.
Final Thoughts:
Remember that it is perfectly okay to abstain, especially if you are not happy with the service provided. Unlike in the U.S., waiters are paid a living wage, and the expectations for tipping are lower in Romania than in America. This is also true for hotel staff, though if you encounter a problem with the service within the hotel, we highly recommend speaking with the manager.
When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.