Guides & Guided Trips

A Guide to Tipping the Guide

• Tips are not mandatory; they are a special "thank you".
• The gratuity is based on service, not catches.
• Don't forget the dock boy.
• Present tips personally immediately upon returning.
• Cash first; merchandise as supplementary.
• Don't ask the guide what others have given.
• Report exceptional or poor guide service.

At the end of the day, spend a few minutes just chatting. Back at camp, buy the guide a drink if you / he are so inclined (and camp policy allows it).

Follow lodge policies re: tipping. Many have a "pool" / tip-sharing; others allow guides to accept tips personally. Some camps discourage tipping, and a few suggest amounts and criteria for tipping guides and other staffers. Still other camps have included gratuities in the package price, although this should not discourage recognizing outstanding service with a personal tip.

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