Here we go again - tipping question

[BGGMKLR]

I hesitate to post this in the Tipping Guide section because I'm afraid that it will never be seen.

Over the years, my rule of thumb that I have followed for the sake of simplicity has been this: 10% for most hunts; 20% for dangerous game hunts or for exceptional results (e.g., Boone & Crockett animal in North America). That's the total amount to be spread among everyone. It has actually worked well and even maps fairly well to the tipping guides that I have seen. Only once have I deviated from that. That was a case in Canada where the guide was terrible - bordering on incompetent, to the point of putting both of our lives in danger. Then the tip was much less.

Here is my question. My next safari is for plains game. The outfitter has a suggested a tipping structure (mainly $/day for the PH) that would be equivalent to 25% - 33% of the total cost of the safari. That seems to be extremely generous. Is there something wrong with how I am looking at this? Thoughts?

Follow your PH's wishes. Its more complicated than most think.
While knee-deep in adult beverages on the final evening of my 21 day hunt in Zim our conversation turned to tips for staff.
I assured Harry that everyone...from Bembetu (head tracker) to Olive (the lovely lady who did my laundry daily) would be very fairly compensated for their efforts in my comfort, success, and safety.
I learned something very important during our conversation, that I had never even considered.
It's been a long time, but I'll paraphrase:

"Fred, your generosity is much appreciated...but...please...I will provide you tomorrow with a tip guideline and I would very much appreciate if you would act accordingly. My problem is... should you tip my staff 6 months wages...they will get together and and agree that...if that man from California gave us this much... for only 3 weeks of work...we are being cheated by our pay here.

It's complicated.
It's Africa.

ALWAYS...follow your PH's lead...
If you'd like to be welcomed back.
Best
Spike

 

[thi9elsp]

$150 per person for camp staff skinner cook trackers for 10 day dangerous game given directly to each of them in an envelope.

PH 5-10% of daily and trophy fees

 

[Michael70]

I hate tipping, but I do it. It would be much simpler to say price for hunt is X, if you don’t like that find the guy that makes you feel comfortable with a price, everything simplified, not risking that you insult the outfit or overtip

Coming from Australia tipping is not in our culture, the price is the price, no surprises either side of the transaction.

If you believe that you offer a quality product with great service, please price accordingly and the market will determine the demand for your services. Contrary to popular opinion this does not foster a race to the bottom, but rather an acknowledgement that you get what you pay for and confidence for both customer and provider.

Let the market decide and if someone can offer a great service, impressive trophies at a competitive rate they will have customers seeking them out and the opportunity to charge a small premium until demand equalises with supply.

I also do not like the song and dance that the porters and camp staff are lined up to do for the "Great White Hunters". They should do their job well and be retained by the management for doing this. Customer satisfaction should govern the ongoing success of any organisation and if you rely on gifts and gratuities to retain staff maybe you are doing something wrong in your business pricing and operational models.

That said I am a very simple person and not attracted to the vast majority of five-star camps and facilities with pools and dining halls. A clean, safe and secure camp is all that I need. A warm shower and edible meals the only non-negotiables. All the fluff could be better spent on hiring (and compensating appropriately) quality PH's, trackers and staff.

 

[mark-hunter]

Here is my question. My next safari is for plains game. The outfitter has a suggested a tipping structure (mainly $/day for the PH) that would be equivalent to 25% - 33% of the total cost of the safari. That seems to be extremely generous. Is there something wrong with how I am looking at this? Thoughts?

I am European, and we have snake in the pocket.
So what I will write take with a grain of salt.
Yes, overly generous.

There are variations:
If you hunt plains game on farm or ranch, smaller tipping. If you hunt in communal area or hunting area concession higher tipping.
I would stick to 10% (to avoid American forum members killing me), as a general rule. I say this, understanding American tipping culture, not speaking for European standard. (much less to be excepted)
I found somewhere Craig Boddingtons recommendation of 10% for tipping, but I can not recall was it in some of his books, or in some of internet articles he wrote. I memorized this before my first safari.

 

[Philip Glass]

I hesitate to post this in the Tipping Guide section because I'm afraid that it will never be seen.

Over the years, my rule of thumb that I have followed for the sake of simplicity has been this: 10% for most hunts; 20% for dangerous game hunts or for exceptional results (e.g., Boone & Crockett animal in North America). That's the total amount to be spread among everyone. It has actually worked well and even maps fairly well to the tipping guides that I have seen. Only once have I deviated from that. That was a case in Canada where the guide was terrible - bordering on incompetent, to the point of putting both of our lives in danger. Then the tip was much less.

Here is my question. My next safari is for plains game. The outfitter has a suggested a tipping structure (mainly $/day for the PH) that would be equivalent to 25% - 33% of the total cost of the safari. That seems to be extremely generous. Is there something wrong with how I am looking at this? Thoughts?

We hear this from time to time. I would not hunt with someone who makes those kind of demands. I am, like you, a 10% guy with generosity up to 20% in some cases.
I like what Barry Burchell says on his website about tipping. "If you were not totally happy with the services then please help me by not tipping at all".

 

[yhc]

Here is my question. My next safari is for plains game. The outfitter has a suggested a tipping structure (mainly $/day for the PH) that would be equivalent to 25% - 33% of the total cost of the safari. That seems to be extremely generous. Is there something wrong with how I am looking at this? Thoughts?

Good morning Charles. Just curious, is the name of the outfitter, IRS?

Like many others have said, 25-30% seems quite high, particularly for plains game.

 

[TnKen]

In my opinion, tipping adds undue stress at the end of the hunt. I don't want to tip to little and seem unappreciative/cheapskate or too much and cause some of the issues mentioned above. I would prefer one flat rate and everybody involved knows what to expect.
Just because the tip is included in a service, doesn't mean you can't give extra if you feel the service is above and beyond the agreed upon price.

 

[BnC 04]

If it's expected it ceases being a tip and then falls under hard/known expense and NOT a tip in any form or fashion.
Mind boggling that some outfits seem to expect/mandate what your tip should be.
General guideline if asked by the client is great but otherwise not so much.

 

[Nyati]

@Charles de Ribeau , is your Outfitter demanding that you to pay the salaries of his staff ?

This is excessive, to put it mildly, I would not hunt with this Outfitter !

 

[BRICKBURN]

Might as well join the craze!

 

[trperk1]

That's crazy high.

 

[trperk1]

The outfit that I hunt with in RSA discourages this for two reasons. 1. his staff grows to expect this and thinks the PH is skimming if someone doesn't tip at this level. 2. his staff will disappear for a few days after receiving this type of money

 

[JimP]

Might as well join the craze!

View attachment 666559

I'd hit Custom Ammount and enter 5 cents

 

[BGGMKLR]

The outfit that I hunt with in RSA discourages this for two reasons. 1. his staff grows to expect this and thinks the PH is skimming if someone doesn't tip at this level. 2. his staff will disappear for a few days after receiving this type of money

Zactly.
Spike

 

[375Fox]

The outfit that I hunt with in RSA discourages this for two reasons. 1. his staff grows to expect this and thinks the PH is skimming if someone doesn't tip at this level. 2. his staff will disappear for a few days after receiving this type of money

Outfitters who complain their staff disappear after receiving tips is a sign of an unprofessional outfitter to me. There is a difference between professional trackers and skinners and random farm hands that got the title that week.

 

[Andrew62]

In my opinion, tipping adds undue stress at the end of the hunt. I don't want to tip to little and seem unappreciative/cheapskate or too much and cause some of the issues mentioned above. I would prefer one flat rate and everybody involved knows what to expect.
Just because the tip is included in a service, doesn't mean you can't give extra if you feel the service is above and beyond the agreed upon price.

A lot of joy and excitement from a wonderful safari can be lost when it comes to figuring out the tips at the end of the hunt.

 

[JimP]

A lot of joy and excitement from a wonderful safari can be lost when it comes to figuring out the tips at the end of the hunt.

The best way is to have it figured out before the hunt.

I know that on bof of mine I knew what I was planning on tipping before I left. I added some to my PH's and tracker above what I had planned.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Might as well join the craze!

View attachment 666559

Damm this is one of my biggest pet peeves!

HH

 

[BRICKBURN]

I'd hit Custom Ammount and enter 5 cents

I'd like to send a lightening bolt into the machine and sort it out.

Tipping is for excellent, exceptional, astounding, fantastic or incredible service. Not for just doing the bloody job you are paid for. IMHO

I hate fried eggs. After day one, I went into the kitchen at Ozondjahe Hunting Safaris, Namibia and taught the cook how to make poached eggs. I showed him once. My eggs showed up perfect everyday thereafter. Exactly how I cooked them in front of him that once. They got a good tip. Watching their faces as the crazy man from Canada put eggs in boiling water was priceless entertainment.

An apprentice PH in Botswana ignored a couple of simple requests I made, nothing life threatening. Just simple requests. Ignored or was passive aggressive and in one case was flat out disrespectful and unprofessional on a stalk. ZERO tip. As I knew their contract was ending I did not bother the Outfitter about relieving them of their post.

I'll leave it at that.

 

[Sideshow]

I'd like to send a lightening bolt into the machine and sort it out.

Tipping is for excellent, exceptional, astounding, fantastic or incredible service. Not for just doing the bloody job you are paid for. IMHO

I hate fried eggs. After day one, I went into the kitchen at Ozondjahe Hunting Safaris, Namibia and taught the cook how to make poached eggs. I showed him once. My eggs showed up perfect everyday thereafter. Exactly how I cooked them in front of him that once. They got a good tip. Watching their faces as the crazy man from Canada put eggs in boiling water was priceless entertainment.

An apprentice PH in Botswana ignored a couple of simple requests I made, nothing life threatening. Just simple requests. Ignored or was passive aggressive and in one case was flat out disrespectful and unprofessional on a stalk. ZERO tip. As I knew their contract was ending I did not bother the Outfitter about relieving them of their post.

I'll leave it at that.

Yep that about sums it up for me^