Tipping in South Africa

Tipping is expected in South Africa and an important part of service workers' income. Standard is 10-15%.

Tipping mandatory

Tip 10-15% on the pre-tax total. Check if a service charge is included first.

10-15%

Tip 10% or round up the fare. Always tip Uber drivers.

10%

Tip R20-50 per day for housekeeping; R10-20 per bag for porters.

R20-50/night

Per person for day tours. Safari guides and trackers expect R100-200 per person per day.

R50-100

Tip 10% on the bill or R5-10 per drink.

10%

General Tipping Guidelines

When visiting South Africa, tipping customs may differ from what you're used to. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

✓Check if a service charge is already included on your bill before tipping extra.
✓When in doubt, observe what locals do or ask your hotel concierge for advice.
✓Keep small bills and coins in the local currency handy for tipping situations.
✓For exceptional service, a small tip is almost universally appreciated even in non-tipping cultures.
✓Tip in local currency whenever possible — foreign coins and small bills are hard for staff to exchange.