Wise ways to buy souvenirs in Africa

When it comes to buying souvenirs on a trip, we all have different priorities.

For some travellers, it’s just about finding a good price. For others, authenticity is the thing. Or buying something that’s one of a kind. And others want to buy directly from the artisan, or purchase something that’s been sustainably produced in order to protect the environment.

These are all valid concerns. And with them in mind, here’s some advice from me, an African, on wise ways to buy souvenirs in Africa.

Buy souvenirs rooted in place

Items usually mean so much more to us when bought at the place or origin. Take, for instance, Tanzanite. This beautiful blue gemstone (shown above) is only found in Tanzania, so a pretty piece of Tanzanite jewellery bought while in Tanzania is a wonderful memento of that trip.

When you buy something locally produced, you also help to reduce the carbon footprint of that item. And you secure a better deal as you’ve cut out any middlemen.

Another example of a great souvenir is something made from mpingo (African blackwood) or mopane. These trees only grow in parts of Africa, and their wood is beautifully dark, dense, and durable. They therefore make wonderful utilitarian as well as decorative items, from chopping boards to figurines.

Fabrics and clothes that are handwoven, handmade, or handprinted also make wonderful African souvenirs, as they’re often very regionally specific and rooted in age-old traditions and techniques. In fact, did you know that in Uganda, you can actually buy a type of cloth made from the inner bark of a tree? Known locally as mbugu, this ‘barkcloth’ of the mutuba tree (sourced in a manner that doesn’t kill the tree) is actually recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity!

Ask for your tour guide’s help or advice

Your tour guide is a wealth of information when it comes to navigating the souvenir scene. They know what’s authentic, unique, well-priced, and not sold elsewhere.

If you’re someone who likes to buy just one or two quality souvenirs, or you have a specific sort of item in mind, let your guide know this at the start of your trip. They can then include a stop at a particular studio, shop, or wherever that they would otherwise have omitted from the itinerary.

Attend a craft workshop to make something yourself

There are artisans across Africa offering tourists hands-on crafts workshops. These are culturally immersive experiences that also let you go home with something you made yourself. So every time you see that item when you’re back home, you’ll be reminded of a special experience.

What’s more, paying to attend a crafts workshop is also more beneficial to the host community than a simple purchase. You sit and talk more, for instance, so there’s a greater cultural exchange taking place. You are also usually investing more, which helps to keep local handicraft traditions alive.

Of course, you can also often buy something made by your teacher at the end. Again, this would make it more meaningful at home, as you know the artist and their story.

Some of the craft workshops you can find in Africa include basket-weaving, beaded jewellery-making, fabric painting, and woodworking.

Check who made the item

Plenty of souvenirs sold to tourists in Africa are actually made elsewhere, like China. One of the best ways to ensure both authenticity and maximum profit for the creator is to buy from someone busy making whatever they’re selling. Like an artist working on a new picture while manning their art shop or stall.

In upmarket shops, look for signs or labels detailing the makers or origins of the items. A handmade doll or bracelet might come with a tag showcasing the maker’s face, name, and story, for instance. This is a great sort of souvenir to take home as it offers a deeper connection to the visited place.

This said, know that sometimes items have mixed origins. Many kikois sold in Kenya and Tanzania were woven in China, but then hand-painted by Swahili women according to long-held traditions.

My main encouragement when buying souvenirs in Africa would be to try to support the ‘little guy’. Be wary of overpriced tourist traps like those you often find in airports. But know that a smart shop or lodge store isn’t necessarily a bad place to shop; ask the attendant where the items come from, and the sort of arrangement they have with artisans. The fair-dealing and transparent ones should be prepped and more than happy to talk about such things.

Know when to negotiate a price

It’s not common practice in sub-Saharan Africa to haggle over prices inside shops. The amount on the price tag is the amount. When looking at items sold in a market or on the street, however, negotiating is very common and can be initiated by either party.

I suggest that if the price being asked is insignificant to you, perhaps don’t negotiate just because you can, especially as the difference could well be meaningful to the seller. If, however, you genuinely don’t have the amount being asked for, it may be that the seller is happy to take what you have rather than lose out on the sale. So don’t be shy to engage in negotiations in such situations.

Buy upcycled or recycled items

Many African artists and artisans are doing wonderfully imaginative things with waste and discarded products. For instance, Zulu weavers in South Africa are using old telephone wires to make bowls and other items according to traditional weaving practices.

If sustainability matters to you, then it’s a wonderful move to support someone engaged in creative recycling. It also strikes me as a fun thought to be the tourist who takes a little litter out of Africa!

Some practical considerations when buying souvenirs

Please be mindful not to buy a souvenir that’s too bulky or heavy during your trip, especially if you’re part of an organised tour where there are size and weight considerations for each client’s luggage. Choose a rollable print over a framed one, for instance, so it can be safely stored in a space-saving canister.

You also want to ensure you have enough money for experiences, so perhaps don’t spend your discretionary cash on souvenirs until the very end of the trip. Wouldn’t it be sad to miss out on a fun activity because you’ve loaded up on curios? Research has shown that experiences trump things in our lives. This is not least because it’s memories that accrue in value over time, while things depreciate or lose their appeal. So if you have a strict budget for your travels, rather wait till the end of the trip to buy souvenirs.

A final note of encouragement. If you have the funds and inclination to buy a souvenir, curio, or artwork during your African safari, please do. There’s a great need in Africa for tourism to benefit more people within the visited destinations. Those selling souvenirs are usually working really hard to make ends meet, and your purchases often have an outsized impact.

Note: This blog post was created by Bronwyn Paxton in 2016. It was completely rewritten by Megan Abigail White in 2026.