Guests can be totally lekker but then there are some that could do with a little improvement. I think we all know this, possibly because weโve been a bit rubbish ourselves sometimes … From demanding refunds for lions roaring too loudly near their rooms, to rocking up with 3 children they didnโt mention when booking (โbut they can just sleep in our beds?โ), guests can be the actual worst. Can we get a rating system like Uber drivers have about their passengers already? ย The Lekker Rating System?!
Growing up in the hospitality industry, Iโve seen my fair share of visitors to our gorgeous country, and locals, who could do with a good blast from a high-powered hose, so itโs been on my mind to share a few ideas about how we could rank higher on The Lekker Rating System.
Good manners. They go such a long way. Iโve always found that being as sweet as melktert at the bank or at Telkom gets me so much further! The same applies to everyone in the hospitality industry. Be kind to them. Theyโre working over Christmas for you.
South Africa is not Europe or America. It will never be Europe or America. I mean, we sometimes donโt even have electricity! Just dunk an Ouma rusk and settle into it. Most people in hospitality in this country wake up every day wondering what madness theyโll encounter, from water rationing – through to petrol trucks that didnโt make it to their town that week. South Africans encounter hurdles daily that foreigners from first world countries probably canโt fathom, which I think plays a huge role in what makes us such unique people.
South Africa welcomes millions of tourists a year. Arrive with an open heart, good manners and a smile and just like anything else in life, the country will open up for you like itโs in bloom. You will never forget your time in our crazy, loud, colourful and wild country.
Thoroughly research your trip: the areas youโre staying in; the weather; what to expect; what to pack; whether itโs a malaria area or not and what precautions to take if it is; how far youโll be from civilization; whether they cater for food allergies, and everything else in between. Bring along your own sunscreen, basic travel medication, mosquito repellant, mobile phone chargers, sun hats, plugs, warm clothing, comfortable shoes and gluten-free bread (if youโre so inclined) and anything else that your research reveals that youโll need, and you should be good for your trip to South Africa. There are many talented travel bloggers in South Africa who share tons of tips about every region on the must-visit list for our country, including on the blog section of this website!
Foreigners, please donโt haggle with the locals out in the sticks. That piece of fabric, hand-carved curio, beaded love letter or basket youโre buying is supporting families, so do the right thing and pay what theyโre asking. Your currency is worth up to 20 times ours, after all.
Nature can be loud, bold and plentiful, thatโs why youโre here. Enjoy the wild ocean, the wildlife, noisy insects and singing birds and know that sometimes, theyโll make their way into your accommodation. Itโs about as much the hotelโs fault as rainy weatherโฆ
On that subject; rain, wind, storms, sun – weโve got it in spades. Make friends with the weather here. Lord knows youโll need to, especially in Cape Town, hence why it was once named, The Cape of Stormsโ by Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Dias. It would be completely un-lekker to write a bad review of your accommodation based on weather you didnโt like when we promise you that not even a South African with powerful juju can control it.
Honour your restaurant reservations, without exception. Not showing up for a booking for 6 is an earth-shattering event to a small restaurant. South Africans tip their servers between 10 โ 20% of their bill and we encourage you to do the same in order to rank high on The Lekker Rating System.
I read a wonderful sign in a self-catering cottage years ago that said something along the lines of, โClean up after yourself. These are not colonial timesโ and Iโve never forgotten it. Another human being will be cleaning up after your mess once youโve checked out, so spare some thought about what you can do to make their life a little better that day. Do the dishes and be lekker.
South Africa is at the forefront of animal conservation and is streets ahead of most countries in the world in their policies and care of wild animals. In fact, most legitimate destinations with animals on their property have to adhere to a laundry list of rules that are so strict that barely an ostrich feather is allowed to be there without written permission.
The chances are that the experts and conservationists at that game reserve or animal conservation facility know what theyโre doing. (This definitely does not apply to lion-cub-petting, which is something you should never, ever do!) If youโre allowed to ride elephants, hold cubs or touch any wild animals, that place is not lekker and you shouldnโt support it.
We hope that youโve enjoyed our ideas of how you can be a lekker guest in South Africa and we wish you a wonderful time here.