TIPPING
South Africa follows a tipping culture, especially where basic minimum wages are applied, such as the hospitality industry. These are often referred to as ‘gratuity’ or ‘service’. If you are unsatisfied with service rendered, you are not obliged to give your provider a tip. Always check first that it has not already been added to the bill. A minimum of 10% is standard in most restaurants and bars, and 15% in fine-dining restaurants. A tip is also given to hotel porters (about R10/15 for each bag carried). Tipping at safari lodges: At the end of a stay in a private lodge, most guests want to tip both the ranger and the tracker. The amount varies from lodge to lodge, but the suggested amount is about R150 a day to each of them. An additional tip of 300 Rand for the lodge staff is sufficient for a couple staying two days. To avoid spending your time distributing tips, most safari lodges suggest that you pay a single amount at the end of your stay. The lodge itself will redistribute it equally among the staff.
