Top Travel Souvenirs to Get in Zimbabwe & Across Africa

Travel is a great way to loosen up and get rid of accumulated stress. In many cases, our vacations are over sooner than we expect and souvenirs are the best ways to continue those little getaways even as we are miles away from the destination. Somehow certain trips are rather incomplete without that last walk to the local markets to hunt for amazing mementos that serve as a reminder of your stay. Be it a painted shell from Seychelles or a traditional mask from Cote d’Ivoire, though inconclusive Jovago.com brings you some nifty travel souvenirs from across Africa.

Zimbabwe

Soapstone carvings are popular for most tourists. The carvings range from abstracts of women, animals  and depictions of the broader Zimbabwean society. Wood sculptures, made from ebony, mahogany and mukwa, are beautiful and can create quite the sensation on your return home. Malachite and emerald stones are fashioned into exquisite jewelry, for excellent prices, and handmade lace will add a beautiful touch to table and bed linens. A batonka drum is the penultimate Zimbabwean souvenir, but may not fit in the overheard compartment of your plane. May we suggest colorful T-shirts featuring tribal scenes, figural magnets and key chains of local landmark.

Nigeria

Local markets and craft villages appeal to many tourists seeking great mementos like African masks, beaded jewelries, leather goods, and batik fabrics. If you’re visiting the capital city, the Garki and Wuse markets would provide a range of locally crafted items for you to choose from.

Kenya

Maasai blankets called the ‘Shuka’ tops the lists of must-buy items while in Kenya. It comes several colours and could be used in various ways… Picnic blanket, makeshift curtain, as long as you can think it, it’s possible! The Mango wood and soap stone carvings are also great souvenirs of Kenya!

Morocco

It’s colorful and patterned rugs and mats are eye-catching, easily found in medinas across the state, these rugs and mats would add not just a great pop of colour to your decor but also remind you of your stay at Morocco. The Moroccan argan oil also known as liquid gold is another must-buy for beauty and health purposes.

Ghana

Ghana’s traditional fabrics both the Kente and Adinkra are great mementos. These are not just your everyday fashion statements but also signify the cultures of the people. In 1957, Kente was declared a national cloth upon the Ghanaian independence. Hence, these highly symbolic patterns would hold great significance even after you’re miles away.

Tanzania

Tanzania’s wide range of arts and crafts are widely available in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. Beads here are used for various purposes from bodily adornment and jewelries to embroidery, the carved jewel boxes are a winner for female travellers as a constant reminder of your trip to Tanzania!

South Africa

Mzansi’s souvenirs range from jewelry to masks, it’s up to the tourists to get items that would be most significant to them and bring good memories of SA! Verdite, the green semi-precious stone, is a winner amongst other souvenir items. Several animals can be sculpted like elephants, rhinos amongst others could be carved from it and even jewelry made from it.