FAQs about Money While on Safari

Yes, there are ATMs available in Africa. Most major cities and tourist destinations throughout the continent have ATMs where you can conveniently withdraw cash using your debit or credit card. ATMs are often found in airports, shopping centers, and banks, making it easy for travelers to access money during their stay.

However, it’s important to note that ATM availability may vary depending on the specific location within Africa. In more remote or rural areas, ATMs may be less prevalent or not available at all. Therefore, it’s advisable to plan and ensure you have enough cash or access to ATMs before venturing into remote areas. nnWhile using ATMs in Africa, it’s essential to follow standard security practices to protect your personal and financial information. Be cautious of your surroundings, use ATMs located in well-lit and busy areas, and avoid sharing your PIN with anyone. It’s also wise to notify your bank about your travel plans beforehand to avoid any potential issues with your card usage.

Credit cards are widely accepted at most lodges, camps, and reputable establishments throughout Africa. Using a credit card offers several advantages. Firstly, it eliminates the need to carry large sums of cash, providing added security and peace of mind during your travels. Additionally, credit cards offer flexibility, allowing you to manage your expenses efficiently and track your transactions easily.

However, it is important to note that while credit cards are widely accepted, there may be instances where cash is necessary or preferred. For example, in remote areas or when making small purchases at local markets, cash may be the preferred method of payment. It’s always a good idea to have a small amount of local currency on hand for these situations.

To avoid any inconvenience, we recommend informing your credit card company about your travel plans prior to your departure. This helps prevent any unexpected card holds or transaction denials due to suspected fraudulent activity.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that currency exchange facilities are available at most international airports and major cities throughout Africa, making it easy to obtain local currency if needed.

We're unable to include tipping in your package, but we're happy to provide recommendations and guidelines to help you navigate local tipping practices.

Our team has first-hand knowledge of the destinations you'll be visiting and can offer insights into appropriate tipping amounts for various service providers, including guides, drivers, lodge staff, and porters.

While tipping is always at your discretion, our guidelines are designed to make your travel experience smoother by ensuring you have all the necessary information to handle tipping with confidence.

Here is a rough guideline for tipping in Africa's cities:

Here is a rough guideline for tipping in South Africa & Namibia:

Here is a rough guideline for tipping on safari – feel free to adjust the amounts to suit your budget:

This is where it gets tricky because there is no uniformity of tipping on safari – every camp or lodge has its own system that you have to navigate. Generally, these are the most common methods:

1. Placing Cash In A Communal Tip Box

Located in the main area or mess tent, this is the easiest option as you simply put your tip into a locked box. Sometimes there are separate boxes for front- and back-of-house staff. The manager generally shares out the accumulated tips in intervals. Sometimes there is one box for your guide and tracker and another for all other staff. This system eliminates any awkwardness about handing over money and does not allow staff to know how much specific guests tipped them.

2. Handing Money to the Manager When You Leave

If there is no box, some guests do this upon departure. Some will specifically say to whom the money must be given, while other guests leave it up to the manager's discretion.

3. Handing Cash to Individual Staff

This is also an option but makes it clear that you are tipping some and not others, as well as how much money you are giving.

4. Leaving Cash in Your Room When You Depart

This is not recommended as staff may assume you've forgotten it and radio the guide to drive back for you to get it. Staff are well trained not to ‘steal' and will hand over anything found in your room to the lodge manager. Honesty is a big part of running a successful lodge.

5. Adding It to a Credit Card Bill

This is only possible in a few lodges and camps with credit card machines. Since they attract hefty surcharges, many camps don't have them. If you have purchased something from the safari shop and want to add a tip to the bill, chat with the manager to arrange this and make a note on the slip indicating how much the gratuity is. This method can be a lifesaver if you want to tip generously but don't have enough cash with you.

A tip as more than just a ‘thank you' for making your bed or showing you a lion – it's also in recognition of the hard work that goes into making your stay extra special. Gratuities are completely at your own discretion for service you feel warrants them.

You wouldn't normally tip the following individuals on safari:

• Lodge or camp managers
• Pilots
• Cabin crew
• Airport desk staff
• Sales assistants in safari shops
• Medical or evacuation crews
• Lodge or tour owners

You would tip the following individuals on safari:

• Back-of-house staff – cleaners, cooks, gardeners, maintenance workers, guards and anti-poaching units
• Front of house staff – guides, spotters or trackers, waiters and waitresses, spa therapists and transfer drivers

In Africa, it is customary – but not obligatory or mandatory – to give tips to service staff in gratitude and thanks for good service. Gratuities can be increased or decreased depending on the level of service you are given: a high tip for exceptional assistance or a low one for going-through-the-motions, just-doing-my-job mediocre service.