Tipping at multiple concessions ? How to

[BigKev15]

On my first trip to South Africa my tipping was easy as we stayed at one ranch / resort for the entire 8 days that I hunted. Yes, we went to different concessions during the day, but we always returned to the same ranch each evening. This year I'm return for an additional two weeks to try my luck at an additional 14 plains game animals. Having said that my PH has stated that we will be staying at a different ranch / resort for three nights for the Springbok slam, Black Wildebeest and Red Hartebeest. If that's the case does one "pro-rate" what the tips would be for the waitstaff, trackers, and such on a daily basis, meaning should I take my pre-determined amount and divide it up per day regardless of where I'm staying. I know that tipping is a personal thing based on one's experience but I wanted to know what others did in a similar situation.

Thanks

 

[Mekaniks]

I would tip them out as you’re about to leave each lodge.
It will likely be difficult to tip them after your gone….
If you have the same PH and trackers throughout the trip, tip them out at the end….

 

[375Fox]

Short answer is yes. Tip them before you leave that lodge if you won’t see them again during the hunt. However, I’d also make sure it’s a hunting lodge. If it’s a normal tourist lodge/resort and you’re just staying there while you hunt an adjacent property a few days I’d adjust your tip appropriately and decide where tipping is appropriate and where it isn’t.

 

[Rare Breed]

On my first trip to South Africa my tipping was easy as we stayed at one ranch / resort for the entire 8 days that I hunted. Yes, we went to different concessions during the day, but we always returned to the same ranch each evening. This year I'm return for an additional two weeks to try my luck at an additional 14 plains game animals. Having said that my PH has stated that we will be staying at a different ranch / resort for three nights for the Springbok slam, Black Wildebeest and Red Hartebeest. If that's the case does one "pro-rate" what the tips would be for the waitstaff, trackers, and such on a daily basis, meaning should I take my pre-determined amount and divide it up per day regardless of where I'm staying. I know that tipping is a personal thing based on one's experience but I wanted to know what others did in a similar situation.

Thanks

You are on the absolute right path. I typically hunt two different countries on each of my safari’s and I do the following: 1. In advance I ask how many people are doing what on each day of my safari…believe me they appreciate this question. 2. I then calculate my tip per day on my spreadsheets. YES you should build an excel spreadsheet well before you go for tips. You will be amazed how this simple step solves a lot of in necessary problems well ahead of time. 3. I then make separate small envelopes for each group that I place in my money pouch that is tucked inside my shirt.

 

[Tra3]

It is an appropriate question to ask of your PH. You can get a high/low range per day per staff member and tip in that range.

 

[HTK Safaris]

This is what I do for my clients and a lot of comments already said the same.

At every hunting camp we have a certain number of day staff and staff that travels with me. So I give that numbers to my clients in advance so they can plan accordingly. When we leave any camp we tip those staff and move on to the next camp. At the end of the trip we tip the other guys that traveled with us.

So I think it will be good to ask your PH in advance how many people more or less will be at each camp, the recommended tip for them per day and then also how many will be with you throughout the whole Safari. Then you can plan your tips accordingly for camp staff when you leave each camp and also ensure that you stay in budget for tips the last day for your trackers and PH.

 

[grand veneur]

Since tips are no longer the same as they were in the past and are more of a non included cost of a hunting trip, it also seems to me to make sense to ask the PH how many and whom you still owe what, and how high these additional costs will be. I used in the past to give according to my personal discretion, but now I also ask for a list of those who should receive something and approximately how much. Many of Europeans think this is a bad habit, but that is just how it is.