Here is a practical guide to tipping on a Gorilla Safari in Uganda and Rwanda. Learn about who to tip, when to tip, where and how you should tip while on a gorilla safari.

Many tourists from foreign countries always ask this question of when and where not to tip while on a gorilla safari in Africa. Though in some countries tipping is mandatory, for Uganda and Rwanda it’s not mandatory but advisable! Tipping is out of someone’s will and interest in regard to the service offered. In Uganda and Rwanda, it’s normal to tip your driver/guide at the end of safari or any activity.

You can as well tip your porter that accompanies you during gorilla tracking and hiking.

There is no specific fee cited out for tipping however, a figure is roughly from $5 per day, this would be a fair standard although you can still consult  this from your safari company in advance they have their standard. I think it’s human to tip your guide/driver based on the quality of service, tipping motives and gives confidence to the recipient and the money given can help them to look after their families and pay school fees to their children.

It is not essential to tip a guide or a driver, who take you around the national park /reserve or around the city on a city tour, but it’s recommended and the money will be greatly appreciated by the recipient and it will be of a great value. Guides/porters are not after the type of currency used to tip however, they mostly prefer tipping them in their local currency either Ugandan shillings or Rwandan franc.

Remember whoever you tip in USD will not get the sum of money you intend to give; the rate given depends on both the age and size of the note. The newest and biggest note will attract high exchange rate, sometimes porters and guides find heard time to look for forex bureau to make the exchange rate, however at the end of the day, if all you have is in the USD or GBP or EURO then you can still use that currency, although the best option is to tip the recipient in the local currency.

It’s also usual to tip in local bars or restaurants, however, as I have already mentioned above, it’s not mandatory to tip it’s out of your will; sometimes you may be forced to leave a tip in some circumstances.  Big hotels and restaurants which cater for tourists and to wealthy Uganda/Rwandans residents will most of the time add a service charge to the bill but many of the time you may not have someone telling you where that service charge ends up.  It would be reasonable to reward good service with a cash tip. Tipping is not asked but it’s out of someone’s will so don’t hesitate to tip your guide/driver, cook or a porter if you feel satisfied with the service offered.