Tipping in Kenya – The Ultimate Guide | Natural World Kenya Safaris

Written by: Yuna Tiya, Local Expert

These days, it’s hard to know the appropriate amount to tip for anything, let alone something as specialized as a Kenyan safari. So, to help you sort through all the rigmarole, here are some general guidelines for tipping in Kenya while you travel along the coast, through the city, and in the national parks.

Should I Tip in Kenyan Shillings?

When it comes to Kenya tipping, it’s best to tip in Kenyan shillings if possible since it’s often difficult for locals to exchange small amounts of hard currency in East Africa. However, if you do not have Kenyan shillings, tipping in Kenya in US dollars is acceptable (a large note such as a $50 bill might not be a good idea, however, as it could prove challenging to exchange.)

Your tour guide should be able to assist you with where to exchange currency after you land in Kenya. Usually, there will be time in your itinerary to do this at the airport in Nairobi before you transfer to your hotel at the start of your holiday. Be sure to exchange enough money; your business is appreciated in Kenya. The money you spend on local goods and services, as well as tipping, power the economy of Africa.

Tipping at Restaurants and Bars

Tipping is not standard in restaurants or bars that cater to locals, but is always appreciated, especially if the service is good. Tipping at tourist-oriented restaurants in Kenya is a different story. As in North America or almost any country in Europe, etiquette dictates that a 15% tip to the waiter is standard, depending on the level of service provided.

Tipping at Hotels in Kenya

At hotels, lodges, and camps it’s customary to leave a tip for an individual waiter or bartender, or add one to the bill before you sign it if you’re signing the bill to your room. Hotel porters expect a tip equivalent to around US$1 per item of luggage, or about 110 Kenyan shillings. If you’re staying overnight, you can tip the hotel staff who clean your room as you would in North America or Europe – 10 to 15 % per day, based on the level of service provided. As a general guideline, small notes are more desirable than large ones.

Tipping on a Kenya Safari

On an organized safari in Kenya, it is customary to tip at the end. The same goes for any pre-arranged tour, in fact. Budget on tipping about US$20 or 2,000 Kenyan shillings per room (or tent) per day. If you’re traveling alone when you visit Kenya, you could tip less – 1,000 Kenyan shillings is acceptable. If you’re a family sharing one room or tent, you might want to increase your tip to around $25 per person, per day.

Kenya is a poor country and safari workers rely on tips to meet basic needs such as food and shelter for their families, so rest assured that the money and tips you spend on your trip to Kenya will go a long way. Your visit will be one of those holidays you’ll never forget, but also a cultural exchange, of sorts.

How much do you tip a driver in Kenya?

Half of this daily recommended tip should go to your driver/guide and half to the back-of-house staff at the camp or lodge where you’re staying. Sometimes you can drop your money in a tip box at reception or sometimes in an envelope that you may give to the manager.

Drivers/guides are not included in the tip box share, which is why you tip them separately. This is generally done when you say goodbye to them. Sometimes a spotter will also be part of the vehicle crew; he sits at the front of the vehicle when out on game drives looking for wildlife. Depending on their contribution, you might give them a separate tip, or suggest that the driver/guide share some of his/her tip with the spotter. Spotters or local apprentice guides are not uncommon at lodges and camps at the national parks in East Africa such as the Masai Mara, and they can make game drives much more rewarding, so don’t discount their contribution.

Is there ever a time when I should not tip?

While traveling in cities, do not tip or give money to children in the streets who are asking for money. These children should be in school, and while they may tug at your heartstrings, they are often used as bait and will likely bring the money to an adult lurking nearby. In general, don’t give money to beggars of any age in Kenya, wherever you may encounter them. Giving money to beggars only perpetuates the practice.

Also, never give a tip if it is demanded of you, or if the service is extremely bad. Service in Kenya is typically excellent, however, and locals and safari staff are accommodating and friendly. You will also find the prices extremely cheap in comparison to western countries. If you go, you may even find the destination addictive! First-time visitors to Kenya frequently return for safaris or tours in other African countries for, as Pliny the Elder said thousands of years ago, “There’s always something new out of Africa.”