Tipping Guide During Gorilla Safaris

It doesn’t hurt to show appreciation to someone who has delivered a good service wholeheartedly and therefore tipping is one of the recommended practices during gorilla safaris. Getting the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of trekking mountain gorillas in their natural environment is an experience you can’t describe with words and several individuals are involved in not just making it happen but creating unforgettable encounters. Right from the safari planner, the private safari driver who takes you from the pick-up point to the Park and back, Park Rangers who take you through the actual gorilla treks, porters who offer support during treks, Lodge/Hotel staff, and even the local community members. 

The most obvious excuse someone would give is that these people are paid to do their jobs but you will be surprised to learn that they are paid peanuts, just enough to keep surviving and pushing on with their day-to-day needs. For this reason, tipping is not just a way of appreciating their unwavering efforts towards providing memorable experiences but also supporting them in achieving their dreams of owning property (like land and houses), bettering their standard of living, and improving their nutrition. 

The people of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are generally warm as well as friendly and will go the extra mile to ensure that you have the best experience during your gorilla safari. While some visitors complain of the rising need for tipping across safari destinations with claims of creating dependency syndrome, it is actually not mandatory/compulsory. You should only tip when satisfied with the service rendered and it is common in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Tipping safari driver

The Safari driver is usually the Company or Tour Operator’s frontman in the field, responsible for picking-up visitors from the Airport or place of residence then driving to the Safari destination. For transfers between the accommodation facility and Park, she/he is in charge and most cases well trained, humorous, informative, and above all helpful. Given their experiences and wide knowledge of the country’s tourist destinations, information on cultures, animals, and birds will be provided. 

The safari driver is with you full-time to ensure comfort and therefore tipping him or she is recommended. Therefore, a tip of $10 to $15 each day is a way of being courteous and appreciating his effort in driving you safely to your destination and back.

Tipping Park Rangers

If there is anyone who selflessly shares knowledge and gives the best in achieving a memorable gorilla trekking experience, it is the Park Ranger. These trained and professional rangers lead tourist groups through the jungles to search for mountain gorillas while sharing information on the unique ecosystems, encountered animals, and birds. Once the mountain gorillas are spotted, they provide detailed information on individual gorillas. Being armed, they also provide protection against potential elephant or buffalo attacks, and therefore, they literally take care of you in the jungle.

The recommended tip for Ranger guides is $5 to $10 to each person, although you can give a general tip to their leader after which be shared amongst them. 

Tipping porters

Most porters are reformed poachers who earn a living by carrying your backpack, camera equipment and offer support while hiking areas of higher elevation to search for the mountain gorillas. Some even lift sedan chairs for physically disabled and elderly trekkers and it is from here that they get money for paying school fees and supporting their families. They are paid between $10 and $20 per person for these services but you can add a top of $5 to $10.

Tipping Lodge or Hotel staff

The Hotel/Lodge staff involved in making your stay memorable include waiters/waitresses, receptionists, housekeepers, and maintenance staff. While they are doing jobs they are paid for, they are usually not paid well and therefore your tip will go a long way in changing their lives. A tip of $3 to $10 per person is a way of appreciating them for their courteous, responsive, and helpful service during your stay. While paying each individual is difficult, you can put a lump sum in the tipping box and will be shared amongst them.

Tipping cultural performers

Cultural performances are usually organized in the evenings after gorilla treks and they include Batwa Cultural experiences for Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks as well as Gorilla Guardian Village for Volcanoes National Park. A tip of $20 for the cultural performers isn’t a bad idea during your gorilla safari.