Skip to content

Tipping in Tanzania

TZSLast reviewed · Apr 2026

Tipping is customary in Tanzania, but city tipping is lighter than safari and Zanzibar tipping. In restaurants, 5-10% is common if no service charge is included, while safari guides and lodge staff are usually tipped separately.

Tipping customary

Most common situations

Restaurant
Standard:5-10%
Exceptional:10%
Show details
+Check the bill for service charge before tipping extra
+A small cash tip is common in restaurants
−Casual local meals may only need rounding up
Bar
Standard:Round up
Exceptional:Small extra
Show details
+A few shillings or small change is enough in most bars
−Percentage tipping is not the default
Taxi
Standard:Round up
Exceptional:1000-3000 TZS
Show details
+A little more is fine for longer transfers
−Most rides only need rounding up

How to tip in Tanzania

•Review the bill before adding any extra tip
•Use TZS for everyday city tips
•Treat safari guides, lodge staff, and transfers separately

Quick tips

Safari guides often get 10-20 USD per guest per day
General lodge or camp staff tip boxes are often around 5-10 USD per guest per day
Zanzibar and safari tipping are more structured than city tipping

Other situations (8)

DeliveryRound up
Hairdresser / BarberRound up
Spa & Massage5-10%
Hotel Staff2-5 USD per day
Tour guides10-20 USD per day
Valet ParkingRound up
Airport Services1-2 USD per bag
Car Services / Uber2-5 USD

Travelers also check

Democratic Republic of the Congo flagDemocratic Republic of the CongoKenya flagKenyaMorocco flagMoroccoAntigua and Barbuda flagAntigua and BarbudaArgentina flagArgentinaBahrain flagBahrain

Next step for your trip

Notice something off?Help us keep this accurate

Travel essentials

Helpful tools for planning your trip to Tanzania

We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Tipping questions in Tanzania

Tipping Terms Glossary

Service charge
A mandatory fee added to the bill by the establishment, separate from optional tips.
Round up
To increase the total bill amount to the nearest convenient whole number or denomination.
Exceptional service
Service that exceeds standard expectations, often warranting a higher tip percentage or amount.
Cash preferred
A preference for cash tips over card tips, often because card tips may not reach staff directly.