Shopping is the best part for tourists to remember the holiday spent in Africa for lifetime. Africa has unique authentic souvenirs.
You can gift your loved ones with these best souvenir collection which you will not find anywhere in the world other than Africa. There are wide collection of souvenirs in Africa, out of which below mentioned are few famous items which you can buy.
Two online stores where you can buy authentic african souvenirs or gifts online are African Gift Items and African Touches. You cannot find many items here, but you can pick from the few if you like and claim as authentic.
Beaded Jewellery
Beaded jewellery is mainly from the tribes of South Africa. It has created employment for many tribal people with amazing traditional beading skills. Varieties of vibrant beaded jewellery are available in the craft markets, shopping centers and boutiques of Africa. Make sure you bargain to get a best price.
Beaded Crafts
Beaded crafts such as animals, candle holders, flowers and many more are most famous souvenirs in Africa. You can find almost all animals which are beautifully crafted. These handmade crafts are available in all the streets and shops in Africa.
Tanzanite
Africa is famous for gemstones and precious metals. Tanzanite is found in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the only source in Africa. This deep blue colour rare metal is very attractive and people around the world come to shop this precious jewellery. You should buy tanzanite only in authentic jewellery stores of Africa.
Click on the image to get African Souvenirs online.
Shweshwe Fabric
Shweshwe is vibrant coloured cotton fabric with traditional prints. You can buy readymade clothing, bags, cushion covers and many more which are made from shweshwe fabric. Streets of Johannesburg has varieties of collections of this fabric in vibrant colours. You can even cut the fabric of desired size and take home with you. This is the best traditional souvenir to buy from Africa.
Handwoven Items
You can enhance your interiors of your house by picking up some handwoven traditional bowls and baskets. These items are most popular in South Africa. You can get bowls and baskets of different sizes and varieties of colours for reasonable prices. You can book online from Mia Melang, which has beautiful range of collections of baskets and bowls.
Wooden Crafts
The wooden carvings are most famous in Africa. There is a great range of wooden carvings such as, masks, wildlife creatures, figurines and even ceremonial spoons. You can find these wooden crafts in many craft markets and roadside stalls in the Cape Town. These are the best décor souvenirs to gift your loved ones.
Liquor
Vin de Constance is the oldest and sweet wine which is famous worldwide. The wine estate in the suburb of Constantia, South Africa is the best place to buy this wine.
Amarula is the creamy liquor which is made from exotic marula fruit. Marula fruits are grown exclusively in Phalaborwa, South Africa. You can enjoy this liquor when put over ice, cocktails and even on coffee. Amarula is widely available in most of the places in Africa.
Rooibos Tea
Rooibos or Redbush tea is the South Africa’s home-grown herbal tea which is exclusively grown in Cederberg region of Western Cape. This caffeine free tea is exported worldwide. It comes in varieties of flavors and famous for its antioxidant properties. This tea is the best souvenir to buy from Africa and is widely available in the supermarkets of Cape Town.
Click on the image to get African Souvenirs online.
Ostrich Eggs
As ostriches are largely found in Africa, the byproducts of ostrich such as, eggs and feathers are the best souvenirs to buy from Africa. Ostrich eggs are well decorated and painted with African scenes, wildlife and jewellery. These eggs are delicate and has to be carefully transported. Although these eggs are quite costly, they make an excellent gift for enhancing the house décor.
Spices
Spices in Africa has the history of 300 years. They are well known in Cape Town and Durban regions. You can find 30 varieties of chilies, cloves, nutmeg and many more from markets and bazars of Durban and Cape Town. They are the best souvenirs for reasonable price.
Leather Bags
South African leather bags has unique art, design and fashion. There are many designers who produce varieties of leather bags with rich culture. There are various leather bags such as, sling bags, backpack and handbags with unique patterns. You can shop these leather bags in almost all the boutiques in South Africa. This is the best fashionable souvenir to buy from Africa.
Custom Enamel Pins
In case you don’t meet your favorite gift, you can customize the exclusive souvenir of your trip to Africa. Custom enamel pins are a good choice. You can put it on your clothes, hat, or schoolbag as your unique decoration, and it can also be a unique collection for your trip to Africa.
Custom Lanyards
Custom lanyards with African characteristics are also good souvenir options for this trip. If you are a tour guide or an organizer of a travel club. You can also customize a number of custom lanyards with African characteristics for tour groups, which tourists can use to hang water cups, mobile phones, and other items to free their hands, not only to free everyone’s hands but also to promote travel agencies and so on.
What Souvenirs to Buy in South Africa?
South Africa offers a diverse range of souvenirs that reflect the country’s culture, history, and natural beauty. Here are some other popular souvenirs to consider:
Traditional Crafts: South Africa is known for its rich tradition of craftwork, including beadwork, basketry, pottery, and woodcarving. These handmade items make great souvenirs and are available in markets and craft shops throughout the country.
Wildlife-themed items: South Africa is home to many iconic wildlife species, including elephants, lions, rhinos, and zebras. You can find a variety of wildlife-themed items, such as animal figurines, carved wooden animals, and animal-print textiles.
Wine: South Africa is one of the world’s top wine-producing countries, with many excellent vineyards in the Cape Winelands region. You can buy a bottle of South African wine to take home as a souvenir.
Biltong and droëwors: These are two popular South African meat snacks. Biltong is a dried and cured beef snack, while droëwors is a type of dried sausage. They’re both delicious and make a great snack for the plane ride home.
African art: South Africa has a thriving contemporary art scene, with many talented artists producing paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works. You can buy original art or prints to take home as a unique souvenir.
Mandela memorabilia: South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela, is a beloved figure both in South Africa and around the world. You can find a variety of Mandela-themed souvenirs, including t-shirts, keychains, and posters.
Overall, South Africa offers a wide range of souvenirs that reflect the country’s culture, wildlife, and natural beauty. Whether you’re looking for traditional crafts, food and drink, or unique artworks, you’re sure to find something that will remind you of your trip to South Africa.
Please leave a comment below, if you enjoyed or find the information helpful.
This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase through these links.
Image by Sharon Ang from Pixabay
More Reads
Get these travel gadgets and accessories according to your needs, and select the gear items suitable for the location you visit.
