Tipping in Zimbabwe | Expert Africa

Tipping in Zimbabwe

A common and sensible question when travelling to Zimbabwe is "who should we tip, how much, and when?". Below is some information on tipping in Zimbabwe to help you budget for your trip, and avoid any potentially embarrassing situations.

Tipping in Zimbabwe and the local economy.

As is so often the case with tipping, the amount you give (if anything) will be dependent on your satisfaction with your stay, and is never compulsory. If you have enjoyed your stay though then we would encourage our travellers to share their appreciation with a tip, although you should be aware of the potential impacts tipping may have on the local economy.

Tips can significantly improve the take-home wages of those working in the service industry in Zimbabwe, including waiters, guides, and national park scouts. There's a fine line though between an appropriate tip, and an excessive tip that may have a negative influence on the local economy.

For example, there are many skilled jobs that aren't client facing, such as park rangers who often carry out vital anti-poaching work. A senior ranger will require a formal education and years of experience to carry out their role, and they will be paid a fair but modest wage for their government role.

By contrast, a camp hand who carries bags and helps out at camp carries out an important role, but not as vital for the preservation of Zimbabwe's national parks, and their role won't require nearly as much knowledge or experience. As they have direct interaction with guests though they may receive overly large tips, sometimes adding up to hundreds of dollars a month, potentially paying more than the rangers job.

In such a case the responsibility and remuneration can become unfairly unbalanced, and could feasibly result in parks rangers changing jobs to guest facing roles, leaving vital positions unfilled.

So please do tip where you feel appropriate, but also bear in mind the importance and extent of the work someone is doing for you.

On safari, who do you tip in Zimbabwe?

Tipping your guides

Tips for the back of house team

Running a safari camp requires a huge amount of work from a large team, many of whom you won't see including kitchen staff, mechanics and cleaners. Most camps will have a collective tip box to split between this team.

Tipping the managers?

When to tip

Occasionally we get asked when is the right time to give the tips. There are a few options:

After each activity
At the end of each day
At the end of your stay

General rule of thumb: just tip once, always at the end of your stay at each safari camp or lodge. Not at the end of each activity, or each day.

Guides wouldn't expect you to tip after each of the daily activities, as it could create the impression that the guides need to 'perform' for the person giving the tips, which can distort the relationship between them and the other guests. Imagine the position other guests might find themselves in should you be offering tips this frequently and they were not.

How to tip

In general, Zimbabwean camps will have a main 'tip box' that is shared out between the general staff equally, while guides you would normally tip directly in person. The majority of camps will explain their exact tipping policy in their camp literature, although the camp manager will certainly be able to help you out if there's any confusion.

The normal practice is to tip in cash, and as US Dollars are currently Zimbabwe's official currency this is the best currency to tip in. However, UK Sterling, Euros and Rand will also be happily accepted.

How much to tip

Tipping in Zimbabwe is not compulsory but always appreciated, and the amount will always depend on your own opinion and personal satisfaction. Based on our own experiences, and discussion with camp managers, we would suggest the following amounts as a rough guide:

US$10-20 per guest per day for a group guide
US$20-40 per guest per day for a private guide
US$10-20 per guest per day for general staff

To put these suggestions in perspective, bear in mind that the Gross National Income (GNI) in Zimbabwe is about US$5.26 per person per day.

In contrast, the equivalent GNI in the UK is about US$118.74, in the United States about US$150.58, in New Zealand about US$109.80 and in Germany about US$125.45.

Tipping can be a sensitive issue, but there's no need to be embarrassed by it. It's a normal part of the service industry in Zimbabwe, and the staff will have seen a huge range of tipping practices from international guests. Just remember that relatively affluent visitors can have a large impact on the local community: tipping can influence the economic and social balance - so do bear this in mind when tipping in Zimbabwe.

Our top picks for holidays to Zimbabwe

We'll always tailor-make your Safari for you. Here are some of our favourites to inspire you.

Nyala Safari

10 days • 3 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

A superb luxury safari in iconic Hwange and Mana Pools national parks, staying in a pair of the finest safari camps in Zimbabwe, with a grand finale at Victoria Falls

US$10,150 - US$16,260 per person

Ground Hornbill Safari

9 days • 3 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO BULAWAYO AIRPORT

This Zimbabwean odyssey explores Hwange National Park from two small camps, renowned for their great guiding, before ending with insights into cultural history, a little luxury and first-class rhino tracking in the Matobo Hills.

US$5,270 - US$8,560 per person

Buffalo Safari

9 days • 3 locations
HARARE AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

Combining Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools and Hwange national parks with stays at intimate six-tent safari camps offering excellent walking, canoeing and game drives. Superb wildlife viewing and a real wilderness-focused experience.

US$8,040 - US$11,910 per person

Grysbok Safari

9 days • 3 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO HARARE AIRPORT

Discover three of Zimbabwe’s iconic destinations in style, flying between Hwange, Mana Pools and Lake Kariba on this varied safari adventure staying at authentic yet luxurious camps.

US$8,990 - US$16,110 per person

Pied Kingfisher Safari

9 days • 3 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO HARARE AIRPORT

A luxury safari combining three of Zimbabwe's top highlights. The trip uses some of the finest safari camps in Zimbabwe and is perfect for a family or small group.

US$7,000 - US$11,860 per person

Klipspringer Safari

8 days • 3 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO BULAWAYO AIRPORT

An outstanding-value Zimbabwe safari exploring Victoria Falls and two contrasting locations in western Zimbabwe – Hwange and the Matobo Hills – giving you a real feel for Zimbabwe, its people and wildlife.

US$2,890 - US$3,570 per person

Lion Safari

7 days • 2 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

The classic Expert Africa Zimbabwe safari. Combining two of our favourite independent camps, each run by celebrated guides, exciting game drives, world-class walks and canoeing in premier wildlife watching destinations.

US$6,950 - US$9,830 per person

Bat Hawk Safari

7 days • 2 locations
HARARE AIRPORT TO JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT

Explore two areas revered by safari enthusiasts with some of Africa’s best walking and some superb guiding – even by Zimbabwe’s high standards – for a varied and wonderfully immersive wilderness experience.

US$7,880 - US$9,130 per person

Great Egret Safari

12 days • 4 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

This wonderfully varied adventure combines Botswana's Okavango Delta and a live-aboard houseboat safari on the Chobe River, with big game in Zimbabwe's dry Hwange National Park and the stupendous Victoria Falls.

US$9,260 - US$17,170 per person

Side-striped Jackal Safari

6 days • 2 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

Get an in-depth experience of Zimbabwe’s colossal Hwange National Park, staying at two experience-focused camps with excellent guiding in contrasting areas. An adventurous safari for the real enthusiast.

US$3,480 - US$5,460 per person

View all holidays in Zimbabwe

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