Where to get souvenirs around Tanzania
Where to get souvenirs around Tanzania: Tanzania is a country which is part of East Africa and is famous for safaris as well as its amazing cultures, food, beautiful beaches, and the local art and crafts.
Shopping around Tanzania is among the best ways to experience and explore the country and also to get unique gifts or souvenirs to take back home. From local markets to curio shops to Stone town to Zanzibar, there are different places where these souvenirs can be got.
There are different locations where these souvenirs can be bought from and they may include local art and craft work like paintings, art pieces, local jewelry like necklaces, earrings, anklets, shoes, shirts, baskets, foot wear, fabrics and books among others which are displayed at certain points where tourists can be able to buy them.
Arusha which is a town where trips to the northern part of Tanzania where Serengeti national park is located begin has various shops where artwork and souvenirs can be bought during a safari in Tanzania.
The different locations were souvenirs can be bought around Tanzania include the following;
Airport
Souvenirs can also be bought from the airport during a visit to Tanzania although the prices maybe higher compared to the prices at local markets or craft shops.
Hotels
Different hotels around Tanzania also have amazing art and craft work and many other souvenirs which can be bought during a safari.
Craft shops around national parks
Serengeti national park is a safari destination which is located in the northern part of Tanzania. During a safari, most visitors are known to visit gift shops around the destination like Serengeti national park in order to purchase souvenirs which they can take with them to their home countries after their safari.
Souvenir or gift shops are also located around the different towns in Tanzania like Dar es Salaam. There is a visitor’s center in Serengeti national park which is in the central part of the national park or the Seronera area. It has a reception area, curio shop, an outdoor café as well as administration offices.
At the visitor’s center in Serengeti national park, you can also get information about the national park, enjoy views of the national park and also book you hot air balloon safari experience. It is also a good place to make a stop for lunch during a game driving experience in Serengeti national park.
Local villages
During interactions with the Maasai people on a cultural visit to the villages, you can also enjoy seeing the local art and craft work which is displayed in the craft shops. You can also enjoy interacting with the locals and also visit the local market during your cultural visit.
Karatu is another town where you can make a quick stop during your safari in Tanzania. There are stalls where the souvenirs can be bought such as Tinga Tinga paintings, carved wooden ornaments, kangas, Makonde carvings, beadworks, pottery among others.
Kangas are a piece of cloth which is commonly worn by women in Tanzania. They are also known to have Swahili word embedded in them at the bottom and can be sold in the local market and in locations such as in Dar es Salaam and their prices are affordable.
Mto wa mbu is another town which can be visited during a cultural tour. Mto wa mbu town is located on the way to Lake Manyara national park. This town can be also visited for an experience of seeing the local art and craft work displayed in different craft shops.
The locals in these villages especially the women make these souvenirs and sell them in craft shops which helps them to earn income used to support their families. The men are also actively involves in making the art and craft works around Tanzania.
Local museums
The local museum also displays art work which is made by the youths. Some of the art work is made from recycled material and ceramic fragments. The beauty of these souvenirs is that most of them are handmade and are very colorful with a story to tell.
The artwork around Tanzania also includes ebony carvings, pottery, basket weaving as well as musical instruments. In the southern part of Tanzania, the souvenirs include wooden art work which is known as makonde art.
These wooden carvings reflect objects such as animals and can also be in the form of a human or trees among others. It is made from ebony wood using traditional iron tools and these carvings are sold also to tourists.
The art work usually also shows images of the different wildlife species which can be seen during a safari in Tanzania such as elephants, lions, giraffes, leopards, cheetahs and many others. Some of the art also shows images of birds which can be seen around the destinations during safaris.
The sunset is also another aspect which is includes in art work especially paintings. There are also bags, shirts, caps, sandals, belts and many other items which are sold as souvenirs in Tanzania.
Items such as sandals, belts, wallets, handbags and more in Tanzania are made using local materials and can be of pure leather with locally sourced raw materials.
Around Dar es Salaam, carvings and crafts can be got from Mwenge carvers market where you can also watch as the artists make the different art works and local crafts. Some of the artists can also make customized crafts if they are requested to do so.
Online shopping
There is always an option of shopping online for products made in Tanzania. Some souvenirs for safaris around Tanzania like in Serengeti national park can also be bought online from various sellers using different platforms like social media to market their products. There may be shipping fees required for some purchases which are made during the safaris around Tanzania.
Souvenirs which are got after or during a safari are a way of remembering the safari experience and taking a piece of the location visited like Tanzania home with you.
