Planning a trip to Kenya? Amazing! You’ll meet friendly people and receive excellent service. But tipping customs might confuse you. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
Let’s walk through exactly how much to tip in Kenya, and when.
Is Tipping in Kenya Expected?
No, tipping isn’t mandatory. However, it’s a common part of the culture—especially in tourism.
Most service workers earn low base salaries. That’s why your tip matters. It directly supports the people helping you enjoy your trip. While tipping is optional, it’s often expected and always appreciated.
So, if someone offers great service, go ahead and tip.
General Tipping Guidelines in Kenya
Now, let’s break it down by situation.
At Hotels and Lodges
You’ll meet porters, housekeepers, waiters, and more. Here’s how to tip:
- Porters: Tip Ksh 100–200 per bag.
- Housekeeping: Leave Ksh 200–500 per night.
- Tip box: Many hotels have one at reception. Drop in Ksh 1,000–2,000 per night. It gets split among all staff.
This system ensures everyone benefits—front and back of house.
At Restaurants and Bars
When you eat out, tipping is easy.
- Standard tip: Add about 10% to your bill.
- Already included? Check for a service charge. If it’s there, tipping extra isn’t necessary—but still nice if service was great.
On Safari
Your guides and drivers work hard. They deserve a good tip.
- Driver-guides: Tip $10–$20 USD per person, per day.
- Spotters or trackers: Add $5–$10 if they’re part of your team.
You can give the tip in cash at the end of your safari.
Tipping While Scuba Diving in Kenya
Diving in Kenya? You’re in for a treat—warm waters, vibrant reefs, and dedicated crew.
But don’t forget your dive team. They do much more than guide you underwater. They keep you safe, carry gear, prep tanks, drive the boat, and manage logistics.
Who Should You Tip?
- Instructors – They train, brief, and supervise you.
- Divemasters – They guide dives and handle safety.
- Boat crew – They manage equipment, tanks, and transport.
Every person plays a key role. So it’s best to tip fairly across the team.
How Much Should You Tip?
- Per dive trip: Tip Ksh 500–1,000 per diver, per dive trip.
- Dive packages: Tip 10–15% of the total package price.
- Outstanding service? Tip more! It goes a long way.
How Do You Tip?
You’ve got two easy choices:
- Tip directly. Hand cash to your instructor or divemaster.
- Use the communal tip box. It’s often at the dive shop. All tips get split equally between instructors, divemasters, captains, and crew.
Want to be sure? Just ask the staff how they prefer it.
Quick Tips for Tipping
Let’s keep it practical:
- Use Kenyan Shillings. Locals prefer it. However they won’t say no if you have USD (after 2013 notes)
- Carry small bills. Makes tipping simpler.
- Tip at the end. Especially for multi-day dives or safaris.
Final Thoughts
In Kenya, tipping isn’t just polite—it’s powerful. It shows gratitude, supports local workers, and builds goodwill. Whether you’re checking out of a lodge, finishing a dive, or leaving a restaurant, a small tip makes a big difference.
So go ahead. Tip with confidence—and enjoy your trip!