Tanzania is home to two of Africa’s most iconic travel experiences — safari in the Serengeti and trekking Mount Kilimanjaro. Both come with their own tipping customs, and understanding them ahead of time means you won’t be scrambling for cash or guessing at amounts during your trip.
USD is widely accepted at safari lodges, hotels, and tourist areas, though Tanzanian shillings are used for everyday transactions.
Tipping Safari Guides and Drivers
Similar to Kenya, safari tipping in Tanzania is a meaningful part of your trip’s budget:
- Safari guide / driver — $20–25 USD per day, per guest
- Camp/lodge staff (pooled) — $10–15 USD per day, per guest, often placed in a communal tip box
Many camps provide a staff tip box at checkout, shared among kitchen and housekeeping staff. Guides and drivers are tipped separately and directly, typically at the end of your safari.
Tipping Kilimanjaro Trekking Crews
If you’re climbing Kilimanjaro, your trekking crew typically includes a head guide, assistant guides, a cook, and porters — and each role has its own tipping guideline. This is often handled as a group tip distributed by the lead guide on the final day:
- Head guide — $20 USD per day
- Assistant guide — $15 USD per day
- Cook — $12–15 USD per day
- Porters — $8–10 USD per day, each
Many tour operators provide a tipping guideline sheet before the trek. If yours doesn’t, ask — and bring enough small USD bills for the entire crew, as this can add up to $300–400 USD total for a standard 6-day trek.
Tipping at Restaurants
10% is standard at restaurants in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, and other cities if a service charge isn’t already included. Check your bill — many upscale restaurants and hotels add a service charge automatically.
Tipping Taxis and Transportation
Tipping taxi drivers is not strictly expected, but rounding up is appreciated. For private drivers and airport transfers, $2–5 USD is a reasonable tip for good service.
Cultural Notes
Tanzania’s tourism economy — particularly safari and Kilimanjaro trekking — relies heavily on tips as part of staff income. Budgeting for tips ahead of time, especially for a Kilimanjaro trek, is essential since the total amount across a full crew adds up quickly.
Carry USD in small denominations — tens and twenties for safari and trekking tips, ones and fives for everyday city expenses.
Tanzania Tipping — Quick Reference
| Situation | Tip Amount |
|---|---|
| Safari guide / driver | $20–25 USD per day, per guest |
| Camp staff (pooled) | $10–15 USD per day, per guest |
| Kilimanjaro head guide | $20 USD per day |
| Kilimanjaro assistant guide | $15 USD per day |
| Kilimanjaro cook | $12–15 USD per day |
| Kilimanjaro porter (each) | $8–10 USD per day |
| Restaurant (no service charge) | 10% |
| Taxi | Round up |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I tip my Kilimanjaro trekking crew?
Guidelines are roughly $20/day for the head guide, $15/day for assistant guides, $12–15/day for the cook, and $8–10/day per porter. For a 6-day trek, total tips across a full crew typically run $300–400 USD.
How much should I tip a safari guide in Tanzania?
$20–25 USD per day, per guest is the standard guideline, typically given directly at the end of your safari.
Should I tip in USD or Tanzanian shillings?
USD is preferred for safari and trekking tips. Tanzanian shillings are useful for everyday city expenses. Carry small USD bills for general tipping and have enough on hand for your full trekking crew if climbing Kilimanjaro.
Is a service charge included in restaurant bills in Tanzania?
Often yes at upscale restaurants and hotels. Check your bill before adding an additional 10% tip.