Tipping/ Spending Money/ Packing/ Footwear

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  Tauck Emily

  March 2012

  Hello Tpp1979,
  
  I will try to answer some of your questions. Hopefully, our other guests can chime is as well to give you some more insisght.
  
  Tour Guide Tipping
  We ask that you extend gratuities on an individual basis rather than as a group, and we offer the following guidelines to assist you in determining an appropriate amount:
  
  · USD $8 per traveler, per day for the Tauck Director, or the equivalent amount in local currency.
  
  Please note: Although gratuities represent the majority of your Tauck Director’s compensation, our policy prohibits Tauck Directors from directly soliciting gratuities. All other service gratuities, including those for local guides, hotel bellmen, restaurant staff and others, have been included in the price of your journey.
  
  
  Money
  How much you bring is up to you.
  
  The local currency for Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling, and in Kenya, the Kenyan Shilling. The exchange rate is 1 U.S. Dollar = 1536 Tanzanian Shillings and 1 U.S Dollar = 88.43 Kenyan Shillings. To obtain the most up-to-date currency exchange rate, you may wish to check the following websites prior to your departure: www.xe.com or www.xrates.com.
  
  We also recommend that you carry some cash in U.S. dollars, in $1, $5, $10, and $20 denominations, for miscellaneous use when only a small amount of currency is required. Bills should be crisp and of the newer variety (with the larger presidential portraits). Bills printed prior to 2000 may not be accepted. American Express, Diners Club, Visa, and Master Card are all widely recognized credit cards and are accepted at most hotels, shops, and restaurants in East Africa. Expect to pay surcharges of up to 10% for purchases made with credit cards in Tanzania and Kenya.
  
  While ATM machines are becoming increasingly popular, they are not widely available in Tanzania at this time. We suggest that you contact your bank in advance of departure to make certain that you’ll be able to use your card at locations abroad.
  
  The only place you may see a bank is in Nairobi as ALL other areas are quite remote. Hotels and lodges regularly exchange money.
  
  NOTE: There is an American Express Traveler Check card available. Be aware that it does NOT work in Tanzania.
  
  
  Packing
  This is a casual tour. Comfortable and casual clothing is recommended while on this itinerary. For daytime and evening wear, including the Welcome and Farewell receptions and dinners, casual dress is recommended. Formal attire is not required. Generally, during the day, lightweight cotton shirts, skirts, pants, and shorts are sufficient. A light jacket, fleece, or windbreaker, as well as layers of clothing are suggested, for cooler temperatures during early morning game drives and evenings.
  While on safari it is recommended you wear natural earth-colored clothing, such as khakis, tans, browns, and greens, as well as comfortable walking shoes or sneakers. It is also a good idea to bring a swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip protection. Game drives can be dusty, so wear something that can be washed while on tour. Dry cleaning service is not available; however, the hotels and lodges we stay in throughout the safari portion of our itinerary, have valet laundry and pressing available for an additional charge.
  
  A personal medical kit with medication for possible upset stomach, aspirin, and allergy medicine may also be useful. If you are taking prescription drugs, bring a prescription signed by your doctor, should you need an emergency refill while traveling. Insect repellent with DEET is an important item to take. Also, premoistened towelettes will be useful while on safari. We also suggest bringing a good pair of binoculars to optimize your wildlife viewing.
  
  Shoes
  Sneakers are fine. Most importantly, they need to be comfortable
  
  Hope this helps,
  Emily

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