We're taking the Feb '09 East African Odyssey and there is contradictory information on tipping on the website. The FAQ says there's a tipping kitty while the dossier says tipping's not included and suggests various amounts which will total to some $500 for the trip. Is this an amount I need to bring in addition to the $1135 local payment or is this included in the local payment? If it's additional, what currency is required, $US?
Confusing Tipping Information for East African Odyssey
tipping
We toured East Africa last year, and tipping handled through our ImTrav representative (Trish), by way of a tipping kitty at the outset - NOT included in the local payment. I think each person chipped in around $50 US, and Trish dealt with all of the tipping, and offered an accounting of the kitty at the end of the trip.
The kitty is for tipping locals only, and does not include any gratuities for the drivers, guides, or representatives, so your total for all tips may well total around $500 US. If you can, tip the drivers or guides in local currency.
The local payment is in US funds, but make sure you provide newer bank notes, (the ones with the most anti-counterfeiting options) as the reps cannot accept old bills. ImTrav mentions this in the trip dossiers, but a couple of people on our trip missed didn't read the information and were quite put out.
I'm sure you will have an EXCELLENT time - I know we all did!!!
Tipping on East African Odyssey
Hello All,
Thanks for your reply, kabell.canada. I am really pleased to hear you had a great time on tour with us last year!
Ritchpat, you are right that on the trip dossier for the East African Odyssey that there are suggested amounts for tipping. This is indeed an exception to the normal tipping kitty, and we have found over the last couple of years that certain of our east Africa tours that it works better NOT to have the tipping kitty, and for everyone to tip individually on this particular tour.
I have added a note onto the FAQ ("Are there any hidden extras?") that travellers should refer to their trip dossier for details on tipping on their tour.
You are right, though, that on most of our trips we do operate a tipping kitty which everyone pays into at the start of the tour and the tour leader runs it and keeps an account throughout the trip. This works brilliantly in most destinations but we have made an exception for some east Africa trips based on feedback from travellers and tour leaders.
I hope this helps to clear up any confusion!
Many thanks, and have a wonderful trip.
Regards
Kelly