TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Africa We're about to leave and have a question.

Carol and Eric,

We are one week away from our trip to Bots, Vic Falls and Capetown. We can't believe it's finally here. Quick question regarding the tipping of the guides and staff in the camps. Did you tip in cash daily? Or did you tip at the end of your stay in cash? Or did you put all the tips on your credit card when you check out? Trying to figure out how much cash we need.

Thanks!

Holly

Holly,

We tipped at the end as we always had the same guide and we did it in cash in US Dollars. Remember the actual dollar amount you tip isn't all that much as the wage base is much lower

Have a great trip, CPT is one of my favorite hangouts.

At all of the camps we, and the camps specifically suggested, that all tips be given at the end of your stay in cash. We took way too much cash with us, but did not have any idea. Spent more at the various airports than at any of the camps. Outside of the small shops (read tiny) there is nothing to buy at the camps really. There was plenty to buy at Victoria Falls, but with it being our 1st stop we did not buy much because we did not want to haul it.

Actually the only time we used our credit card in the camps was at Mombo, as they have a real gift shop and we charged stuff there. But even that was settled the last morning.

One suggestion that we did, and glad we did, was to make sure that you have small bills, a lot of singles and fives. You will go through them pretty fast, think we took $50-$75 in singles and $100 in fives. That seemed to work out pretty well for us, as in the airports and places we always broke a $20 or $50 when buying things, so we had some smaller stuff again. Then of course some $20's and stuff.

Thank you both. Sounds like cash is the way to go. Thanks again!

Please write a trip report upon your return--and show us some pictures! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

Holly,

I agree about taking small bills, not much need for 20s and up. Also I would have both US dollars and South African Rand. Most places will take US dollars, but some may want Rand. We took a cab and the driver wanted Rand. You can go to any ATM and you will get a good rate on the exchange. Not sure what the going rate is now but it was about 6.3R to 1 US Dollar when were there last December. My wife thought she was getting a great deal when at the ATM she punched in $100 and over $600 came out.

You will love Cape Town, so much to see and do. Table Top Mountain is a must! Go drive to see the Penguins down the coast a bit. See Cape of Good Hope and climb to the top. Take a double decker tour bus to see the city of Cape Town. And of course Victorian Water Front in Cape Town.

Greg