Tipping is always optional in Namibia and should depend on the level of service received, just like in most other parts of the world. That said, we encourage customers to tip for good service, but please remember the value and type of work being done for you.
Tipping can make up a big part of the earnings for people working in service jobs like waiters, guides, and trackers. However, there is a fine line between tipping too much and tipping enough. Giving very large tips can hurt the local economy by disturbing its balance.
Think about who you want to tip before you decide how much or how to give the tip. The camp manager, the behind-the-scenes team, and the guides are just some of the people who work hard to make your trip a good one.
Your safari guide is one of the most important people in making sure your safari goes well. To make sure they get the tip they deserve, many places suggest giving them a separate tip.
The cooks, kitchen team, cleaners, and housekeeping staff are also key to making your trip go smoothly. Many camps have a “general staff tip box” for these behind-the-scenes workers. The money from this box is shared equally among them.
Camp managers are also important, but should you tip them? We think this is like tipping a restaurant owner. You normally wouldn’t tip the owner, even though they play a big role. In the same way, we usually suggest not tipping the camp manager.
Of course, you might make an exception if the manager helped you with something special or unusual. In the end, when on a Namibian safari, you usually tip the guide on their own and the rest of the staff together.
