1.      Are there ATMs in Africa ?

·       Most major cities and tourist destinations have ATMs where you can withdraw cash using your debit or credit card. ATMs are found in airports, shopping centers, and banks.

·       In remote areas, ATMs may not be available. Ensure you have enough cash before travelling into remote areas.

·       While using ATMs in Africa, it’s essential to follow standard security practices to protect your personal and financial information. Be cautious of your surroundings, use ATMs located in well-lit and busy areas, and avoid sharing your PIN with anyone.

·       Notify your bank about your travel plans beforehand to avoid any potential issues with your card usage.

2.      Can Credit card be used in safari or do I need to carry cash ?

·       Credit cards are widely accepted. It eliminates the need to carry large sums of cash, manage your expenses and track your transactions

·       In remote areas or when making small purchases at local markets, cash may be preferred. Carry a small amount of local currency on hand for these places.

·       Inform your credit card company about your travel plans prior to departure. This prevents any unexpected card holds or transaction denials due to suspected fraudulent activity.

·       Currency exchange facilities are available at most international airports and major cities throughout Africa, making it easy to obtain local currency if needed.

3.      Tipping in Africa

·       It is customary to tip, though not mandatory.

·       It is in recognition of the level of service and also of the hard work done by the staff to make your stay comfortable.

·       Tip is given to

ü  Back-of-house staff – cleaners, cooks, gardeners, maintenance workers, guards and anti-poaching units

ü  Front of house staff – guides, spotters or trackers, waiters and waitresses, spa therapists and transfer drivers

·       Tipping is at your discretion but there is a rough rule for African cities and for Safari

For African Cities

Guided Tour

USD 20 per day. If multi-day tour with the same guide, tipping
should be based on per day and can be given
to the guide at the end of the tour.

Transfers

USD 5 per person to the driver. Consider increasing if you had extensive help with your luggage.

Waiter at Restaurant

10 – 15% of the overall bill.. Check to see if the bill already includes gratuities.

Hotel Porter

USD 5 per provider

For Safari

Transfer

USD 5 (American dollar) per person to the driver. Consider increasing if you had extensive help with your luggage.

General Staff at Safari Lodge/Camp

USD 20 per person per day

Guide

USD 20 per person per day

Tracker

USD 15 per person per day

 TIPPING METHODS

Tip can be given by various methods:

·       Placing Cash In A Communal Tip Box

ü  Located in the main area or mess tent, this is the easiest option as you simply put your tip into a locked box.

ü  Sometimes there are separate boxes for front- and back-of-house staff. The manager generally shares out the accumulated tips in intervals.

ü  Sometimes there is one box for your guide and tracker and another for all other staff. This system eliminates any awkwardness about handing over money and does not allow staff to know how much specific guests tipped them.

·       Handing Money to the Manager When You Leave

ü  If there is no box, some guests do this upon departure.

ü  Some will specifically say to whom the money must be given, while other guests leave it up to the manager’s discretion.

·       Handing Cash to Individual Staff

ü  This is also an option but makes it clear that you are tipping some and not others, as well as how much money you are giving.

·       Leaving Cash in Your Room When You Depart

ü  This is not recommended as staff may assume you’ve forgotten it and radio the guide to drive back for you to get it.

ü  Staff are well trained not to ‘steal’ and will hand over anything found in your room to the lodge manager. Honesty is a big part of running a successful lodge.

·       Adding It to a Credit Card Bill

ü  This is only possible in a few lodges and camps with credit card machines. Since they attract hefty surcharges, many camps don’t have them.

ü  If you have purchased something from the safari shop and want to add a tip to the bill, chat with the manager to arrange this and make a note on the slip indicating how much the gratuity is.

ü  This method can be a lifesaver if you want to tip generously but don’t have enough cash with you.