Tipping Guide

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

I browsed through this forum and didn't see much if any about observers tipping staff.

Here are our trip details and my initial thoughts on tips:

2 hunters and 2 observers headed to RSA for a 7 day plains game hunt.

Tracker = $50 per hunter, $100 total
Driver = $50 per hunter, $100 total
Skinner = $50 per hunter, $100 total
Cook = $25 per person, $100 total
Server = $25 per person, $100 total
Maid = $25 per person, $100 total
Laundry = $25 per person, $100 total

Now the question is the PH! $150 per day per hunter would be a total of $2100. Or do we take the base cost of the trip $3000 plus fees for additional game harvested estimated at $7000, for a total of $10,000...and then take a % of that?

Cook deserves way more

 

[ActionBob]

For an American, tips to PH are always in USD. For staff it really depends on the outfitter. It would be best to ask how they prefer tipping for staff. Most outfitters will exchange USD to local currency for them and some staff will have access to exchange it themselves. If you want to give a small tip to farm hand for a farm you only hunt on one day, better to have some local currency for that.

I have had requests from staff and especially that farm hand you only spend a few hours with while on that specific farm, asking for local currency. They felt they were being ripped off... i.e. you give them $10 and they ask their employer to exchange it and they get 10 Rand! What is that something like 5 to 10% of the value?!

I see it as a very positive sign when the Outfitter or PH gets the staff together and you can tip them personally. Or when it comes time to tip and you are instructed to "give it to them yourself" A former (banned for several years now) Sponsor on here asked that all tips be given too him so he could "save it up for them"..... That turns into a lot Loodt over time

In Tanzania with 21 support people in camp, they were all brought into the dining hall and they lined up and shook hands one at a time. Very graciously. They all earned their tips and worked hard to make it an experience of a lifetime. They had even thrown a Birthday party for me with cake! Which I saw to it that everyone got a piece albeit a small one with 25 people total! I really don't think they expected cake but that whole camp was special

 

[ActionBob]

Cook deserves way more

What percentage of camp staff income comes from tips?

 

[Hyde Hunter]

I like the idea of handing out tips personally, my first trip the owner and he handed out little pieces of paper to each person telling them how much it was while they were lined up. makes me wonder since probably most of them could not read how much he really gave them. he said he gives out small amounts so they don't go and get drunk.

 

[Mopani]

Cook deserves way more

Only if the client/s are happy with the meals. Otherwise the cook won‘t deserve a cent.

 

[grand veneur]

Only if the client/s are happy with the meals. Otherwise the cook won‘t deserve a cent.

The question would not arise for me. If I come, @Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS will give the cook a week off anyway.

#7

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The hunting season is in full swing here at TallyHo, we thought we would just post a bit of an update of our hosting so far... We have had the honour of hosting quite a few international friends along with our south African friends that join us every year. Some highlights thus far; our new...

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[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Only if the client/s are happy with the meals. Otherwise the cook won‘t deserve a cent.

Well obviously !!

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

What percentage of camp staff income comes from tips?

Hard to say
Depends on how mamy hunts are done and how much the tips are
It can vary quite substantially
Tips can vary from almost zero to a really high amount

 

[Kharn]

Is there anything wrong with Tipping "as services happen"?

EX: 7 day stay at the lodge and each day after Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner I'm able to have a 1 on 1 with the Cook, so I Tip the cook over and over (after every meal/snack/anything the cook prepares). The same applies to all other personnel on site including the PH (obviously) I just chose the cook for this example.

Is this wrong? or Is this better?

 

[375Fox]

Is there anything wrong with Tipping "as services happen"?

EX: 7 day stay at the lodge and each day after Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner I'm able to have a 1 on 1 with the Cook, so I Tip the cook over and over (after every meal/snack/anything the cook prepares). The same applies to all other personnel on site including the PH (obviously) I just chose the cook for this example.

Is this wrong? or Is this better?

That’s just not the way tipping is done. I’d think most outfitters would discourage it. It might even be confusing to staff or disappointing on last day when they don’t receive a lump sum tip as they are accustomed to. Tipping on a hunt is more a reflection of the overall hunt than day by day service.

 

[Andrew62]

That’s just not the way tipping is done. I’d think most outfitters would discourage it. It might even be confusing to staff or disappointing on last day when they don’t receive a lump sum tip as they are accustomed to. Tipping on a hunt is more a reflection of the overall hunt than day by day service.

I agree wholeheartedly with @375Fox. Once I get to camp and settle in, my paperwork and cash gets locked in my gun case and that's where it stays until the final day when I am paying for my hunt and sorting out a tip with the help of the PH or outfitter.

 

[FlowHamed18]

May I ask a question:

I got the info that on my trip the PH usually gets tipped 100$ per day if it's 1:1.

We will hunt 2:1 and there is no official advice for this constellation.
Would you just tip 200$ in total (100$ from each hunter) or maybe "just" 150$ in total, because the PHs workload doesn't double because of two hunters?

Are there any experiences?

Thanks in advance

 

[DieJager]

I would be leaning more to your second suggestion but I am also European. You will probably get loads of different advices but that is what I would do.

 

[375Fox]

May I ask a question:

I got the info that on my trip the PH usually gets tipped 100$ per day if it's 1:1.

We will hunt 2:1 and there is no official advice for this constellation.
Would you just tip 200$ in total (100$ from each hunter) or maybe "just" 150$ in total, because the PHs workload doesn't double because of two hunters?

Are there any experiences?

Thanks in advance

I’d plan for $150 in that situation and adjust for less than expected or exceptional performance

 

[19_A_CPT]

I loved our tracker and PH. Some of the best experiences are getting to know the guys behind the scenes.

 

[Rare Breed]

On my April hunt, My PH told me no one is more important on an elephant hunt than his trackers. After experiencing that I agree. I had done my own estimated tip from my many experiences. Only when I asked him did he ask me back what my total was…I only needed to make a very slight adjustment. Also given Lou Hallemore was my PH and he was so outstanding I tipped him more than my original budget which is why I carry extra cash contingency funds

 

[aminkus]

On my April hunt, My PH told me no one is more important on an elephant hunt than his trackers. After experiencing that I agree. I had done my own estimated tip from my many experiences. Only when I asked him did he ask me back what my total was…I only needed to make a very slight adjustment. Also given Lou Hallemore was my PH and he was so outstanding I tipped him more than my original budget which is why I carry extra cash contingency funds

Lou is a legendary ph you are very lucky , I would love to hunt with him someday soon

 

[Dangerous Dave]

Let me stir up the pot a little on this sensitive subject.
I believe the tip should be based on one thing and one thing only the number of days that you are on your safari.