With its well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa and an impressive list of breathtaking natural wonders, touring Namibia is truly a pleasure. Visit the capital of Windhoek and the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund to discover remnants of the country’s German influence, reflected in the architecture, culture, cuisine and the annual Oktoberfest celebrations. To properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you will have to venture out of the cities to explore the remarkable natural landscapes Namibia has to offer. These include: the impressive Fish River Canyon Park; the vast Etosha National Park teeming with local subspecies, such as desert lions, desert elephants and the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra; the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and of course the Namib Desert stretching for nearly 1000 km along the magnificent Atlantic coastline. Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a uniquely beautiful untamed wilderness.
Guide to tipping in Namibia
How much do you tip? This is quite a difficult question with multiple correct answers. Below some further clarification:
Parking tips
Many places have so-called car guards. Some of them are self-appointed, where others are employed. They often wear a yellow vest so you can recognise them. Often they don’t get a salary and completely rely on the tips they get. N$5 is a decent amount to give. Please realise that there is no guarantee from a safety point of view, we would still recommend you don’t leave any valuable in your vehicle.
Tips in restaurants
On average a tip of between 10 and 15% of the total amount is normal. Some places include the tip on the bill, so always check!
Tips in hotels and guesthouses
Most camps and safari lodges in Namibia have a tip box, and often their own tipping policy. Sometimes the tip box will be for all the staff; sometimes it’ll be for the staff excluding the guides; occasionally it’ll be arranged differently.
Some camps explain their tipping policy in the literature left in their rooms. If not, ask the manager and, if there’s a tip box, find out who shares the proceeds. You can then decide whether to put everything into the box, or to tip some members of the team separately and more directly. In most Namibian camps, guides and trackers are tipped directly, with other staff usually sharing the proceeds of the ‘general staff tip box’. However this does vary, so do ask!
Most travellers tip in cash, with the preferred currencies in Namibia being Namibian dollars or South African rand or, failing that, US dollars or even euros or GB pounds. Whether or not you can tip by credit card depends entirely on the camp, their accounting practices and their ability to process cards, but this isn’t normal practice, and it makes it difficult to direct your tip to precise team members.
Tips on safari
When you stay at a safari lodge, you normally have one ranger who will take you on the game drives during your stay. Normally, you tip him/her after your last game drive.as a thank you. N$40-50 for half a day activity and N$80-100 for a full day activity is a guide, but if the amount obviously also depends on how great it was!
Tips for taxi drivers
If you take a metered taxi, an amount, about 10% of the total amount is appreciated
Tipping at petrol stations
Filling up with petrol in Namibia is quite a unique experience. You don’t actually leave your vehicle, someone will come to you and fill up your car. They often ask if they can check, water and oil, tyre pressure and wash your window too. It is common habit to give them N$5 or a bit more in loose change as a thank you.
