You got it right Mike.  I always give the tracker half what I give the guide.  Trackers have lots of work they do behind the scenes.  They clean the vehicle, get it ready for drives, pack the beverage box, go out prior to the drive and do some scouting, cooperate fully with the guide during the driveetc. etc.  The guide and tracker are a team.  At least that is what I have found at the lodges that I have visited and what we were taught at Ecotraining.  Quite often the tracker is a personality that cannot interact with guests - or there may even be a language barrier - but they are there because of their bush skills.  the most successful guides have an excellent working relationship, friendship and complete trust in the skills of their trackers.  There are the lodges that do not pay thier staff well - and generically the Game Rangers and others are not well paid in comparison to the commercial world.  However, they do get free board and lodging - and on the whole if they are good guides and trackers make a reasonable living from their salary and tips.

In the same way - the staff working in the Lodges do everything in their power to make your visit an amazing experience.  Always smiling and always willling to go that extra mile.  Just think of the ladies that wake you in the morning with your coffee and rusk!

Thanks Mike, that is what I wanted to know. When husband and I travel we usually leave a tip for the person who makes up your room everyday because we are not sure if it is the same person.

Lea those tip prices are what I tip daily, however the tips come at the end of the stay. I also tip $5 per day for the general staff, so my daily tip cost is $20 per day and yes, that should be figured into your total trip cost.

Penny I did not mean any disrespect.  I just meant that you would have to ensure that you kept that expense in mind when making your plans.  It did not occur to me about the tip part of the trip, and how many people you would have to tip along the way.  It was good of Mike to let us know and good information. 

Lea the ranging team can either make or break a bush experience.  I guess it figures that if one is prepared to pay the prices of private lodges then to not give a decent tip at the end of ones stay would be considered mean to say the least! Remember all the overseas tourists come in at a huge advantage due to the exchange rate!

Do you tip everytime you go out, or is that for while you are there?  If you tip that everytime you go out that could get expensive and would to be figured in your cost of the trip.  This is good info to know.  Thanks 

Thanks Sag I will check it.

Yes, Lea, I saw and thanks!

I tipped $10 for ranger $5 for tracker, so I guess I am right on target for ranger and high on tracker. I do not mind, the trackers I had were excellent