South Africa Tipping Etiquette: 8 Top Tips for Tipping in South Africa

Planning a trip to another country often means learning about the culture of its people to avoid doubts and awkward feelings when interacting with the locals.

One of the things that is worth learning about before landing in a country is its tipping culture. Follow our South Africa tipping etiquette guide and we'll show you how much service industry workers are customarily tipped in South Africa.

It is important to note that tipping in South Africa should be done in the local currency (Rands). It is also important to note that although tipping is at your discretion we do encourage tipping people generously for good service.

South Africa Tipping Etiquette

Picture this, you’re anxious about getting to the airport on time for your flight. Your taxi driver arrives, walks out of the car, and puts your bags in the boot. As though sensing your distress, your driver, who encourages you to call him Frans, assures you that he'll get you to the airport on time. He snakes through traffic while expressing interest in your travel plans, which you find surprisingly calming. Before you know it, he puts the car in park and you have arrived with time to spare. You are so relieved and want to show your gratitude. How do you do it? Easy, tip him.

In South Africa, tipping is a common courtesy. The practice of tipping is so ubiquitous that it is best to budget for it when you plan a trip to South Africa. In city centres, in particular, many service industry workers appreciate a nice tip. Although not mandatory, tipping in South Africa is a great way to show appreciation and support local people working hard to make ends meet.

Below are our top tips for tipping in South Africa, which we recommend to visitors and locals alike.

1. Taxi Driver Tipping in South Africa

Minibus taxi drivers aren’t tipped in South Africa. However, metered taxi drivers like Frans are. The tip is usually done via the app (Uber, Bolt, inDriver) used to request the ride and depends on how professional and friendly the driver was as well as the distance travelled.

Recommended tip: 10 - 20% of the total fare

2. Car Guard Tipping in South Africa

Busy places such as malls and shopping centres usually have parking attendants to guide drivers to find empty parking spots and help them park. Some are formally employed and wear uniforms while others are self-employed and rely on tips to make a living.

Recommended tip: R5 - R10

3. Petrol Attendant Tips in South Africa

In South Africa, drivers do not pour their own fuel. The attendants at petrol stations do this job and will most likely ask if they can offer additional services such as cleaning your car’s windscreen and checking water, type pressure, and oil.

Recommended tip: R5 - R20

4. Tipping in Restaurants, Waiters & Waitresses

Most waitrons in South Africa earn minimum wage and rely on tips from customers. However, tips are voluntary and depend on the quality of service received. When deciding how much to tip, it is important to note that servers are not responsible for the quality of the food.

Recommended tip: 10% of the total bill. For exceptional service, the tip can go up to between 15 - 20%.

5. Tipping Hotel Staff

Hotels usually have communal tipping jars to put your tips in, so ask the front desk whether one is available at the hotel you’re staying at. These tips are then shared between the hotel staff, cleaners, groundskeepers, and maintenance staff. You would tip at the end of your stay but you can give the doorman a tip on the spot (usually R20) for helping you with your luggage.

Recommended tip: R50 per day for the duration of your stay

6. Tipping for Safari Guides & Trackers

It’s one thing to know that your destination offers amazing game-viewing, it’s another thing to see the animals you’ve always wanted to see. This is where a good safari guide is gold. Safari guides are responsible for you in the bush. They keep you safe, point out near invisible animals, and have encyclopedic knowledge about the bush and animals. Trackers, on the other hand, have intimate knowledge of the bush and the signs that animals leave. A good tracker and guide team will provide you with a safari experience of a lifetime and should be tipped well. Remember to always tip at the end of your stay. If your game drive is a once-off at Addo Elephant Park for example, then tip the guide at the end of the game drive. However, if you are on a 3-day safari in greater Kruger, then tip your guide at the end of your stay.

Recommended tip for safari guides: R50 - R100 per person per day at the end of the day. 

Recommended tip for safari trackers: R20 - R50  per person per day at the end of the day.

For a more in-depth guide to tipping in Africa see Tips for Tipping on African Safaris - who & how to tip. 

7. Spa Treatments & Beauty Professionals

Need to fix a chipped nail, get a massage to help you relax, or need a quick trim of your beard for those Instagram snaps? This is when beauty professionals save the day - and the pictures - and you can leave a little something to say thank you to them.

Recommended tip: 10 - 15% of your total bill

8. General Guide for Tipping in South Africa

If you're unsure about how much to tip any service industry worker in South Africa, the local custom is to tip 10% of your total bill. You can pay a little more than this, at your discretion, for exceptional service. However, you are not obliged to leave a tip should you have a bad experience with a service provider.  

It is important to note that although generosity is appreciated, there is a difference between tipping well for good service and giving handouts to strangers. Giving cash to people asking for money has been shown to exacerbate social problems and aggravate dependency. To avoid the potential of unintentionally adding to complex social problems, an option would be to rather donate to a local charitable organization.  

If you have any questions about travelling to Africa or South Africa and planning your trip - talk to a seasoned African travel expert, based in South Africa.