Tipping is one of the practical questions every hunter asks before arriving in South Africa. It is not obligatory, but it is expected and appreciated, and it is a direct way to recognise the people who work long hours to make your safari successful. At Marula, your party will be looked after by a professional hunter, a tracker, a skinner and a small camp team. Each has a different role, and the gratuity customs are simple once you know them.
Who to tip on safari
The four main groups are your PH, the tracker, the skinner and the camp staff. Your PH is the overall guide, responsible for your safety, the quality of the hunting experience, trophy selection and the day-to-day flow of the safari. The tracker is the eyes and ears on the ground, reading sign, finding wounded game and helping you get into position. The skinner takes care of the animals you harvest, doing the initial caping and salting in the field. The camp team keeps the lodge running, serving meals, turning down rooms, lighting the fire and making the place feel like home.
How much to tip your PH
A common rule of thumb is to tip your professional hunter roughly 5 to 10 percent of the total safari cost, or about $50 to $100 per day. For a seven-day buffalo or plains-game safari, that typically translates to $350 to $700. The exact amount depends on the length of the trip, the complexity of the hunting and, most importantly, how satisfied you are with the service. If your PH went above and beyond on shot placement, trophy selection or logistics, the upper end of the range is appropriate.
Trackers and skinners
Trackers and skinners are often the hardest-working people on the safari. A tracker may spend hours glassing, trailing blood, or walking in tough terrain. The skinner works late into the night preparing capes and horns so your trophies can be properly preserved. For each of them, a guideline of $20 to $40 per day is common. On a buffalo hunt where the walking is intense and the tracker is essential, the higher end of the range is well deserved. You can tip them directly at the end of the trip or give the combined amount to the PH to split.
Camp staff
Camp staff tips are usually pooled. A practical guideline is $10 to $20 per guest per day, handed to the camp manager or placed in the staff tip envelope on the final morning. The manager distributes it fairly among the cook, waiters, cleaners and other lodge staff. This is a simple, discreet way to thank the people who handled your laundry, prepared your meals and kept the fire going.
Currency and timing
Both US dollars and South African rand are welcome. Dollars are convenient because many North American hunters prefer not to carry leftover rand back home. Rand is easier for the staff to spend locally. Whatever currency you choose, cash is preferred, and smaller notes make dividing tips simpler. Tipping happens on the last day of the safari, after the final hunt. Do not feel pressured to tip during the week; the closing morning is the standard time.
Quick tipping reference
- PH: roughly $50 to $100 per day, or 5–10% of the total safari
- Tracker: $20 to $40 per day
- Skinner: $20 to $40 per day
- Camp staff: $10 to $20 per guest per day, pooled
Tipping FAQs
Who should I tip on a safari at Marula Game?
The main recipients are your professional hunter (PH), the tracker, the skinner, and the camp staff. Each plays a different role during your safari, and a small gratuity at the end of the trip is the standard way to show appreciation.
How much should I tip my PH?
For a professional hunter, a common guideline is roughly $50 to $100 per day, or about 5 to 10 percent of the overall safari cost. The exact amount depends on the length of the hunt, the service level and your own satisfaction. Many hunters tip the PH directly at the end of the safari.
How much should I tip trackers and skinners?
Trackers and skinners usually receive a pooled or individual tip of around $20 to $40 per day. If you are hunting several species or doing a lot of walking, the tracker works especially hard, so consider the higher end of the range. Skinnners handle the field preparation and caping of your trophies.
What about camp staff tips?
Camp staff, including the cook, waiters and housekeeping team, are usually tipped as a group at the end of the trip. A typical range is $10 to $20 per guest per day, placed in a communal envelope or handed to the camp manager to distribute. The manager can advise you on the local custom.
Should I tip in US dollars or South African rand?
Both are accepted. US dollars are convenient if you are flying home and do not want leftover rand, while South African rand avoids any exchange awkwardness for the staff. Tips in cash are preferred, and small-denomination notes make it easier to divide fairly.
When do I tip during the safari?
Tips are usually given on the final day of the safari, before you leave the lodge. Some hunters prefer to tip the PH and tracker separately after the last hunt, and hand camp-staff tips to the manager at checkout. This avoids confusion and ensures the right people receive the right amount.
Plan your safari
Ask us about daily rates, species and how gratuities fit into your overall budget. We will send you a full itinerary with a clear cost breakdown.