Tanzania souvenirs: top 7 authentic gifts to bring home

Whether you visit Tanzania for an exciting safari, climb Kilimanjaro, or vacation on the white beaches of Zanzibar island, bringing home a meaningful souvenir is a wonderful way to remember your trip. Tanzania is home to talented artists and craftsmen who create works of art that reflect the country’s culture, history, and natural beauty.

In this article, we’ve gathered the most popular and unique souvenirs from Tanzania that you can bring as gifts for loved ones or as a delightful reminder of sunny East Africa.

What do you need to know about shopping in Tanzania?

Shopping in Tanzania is a unique experience where bargaining plays a key role. In many shops, prices aren’t set, so you’re free to negotiate and sometimes even trade personal items for something you love.

Bargaining may seem unfamiliar to many Westerners, but it is an expected practice in Tanzania. It is normal to bargain in tourist areas. Don’t worry about offending the seller or provoking an aggressive reaction. Start by offering to pay half of the initial price. The seller may act surprised or mildly displeased, but they’ll quickly counter with a new offer. The key is to stay patient and friendly and enjoy the experience.

Bartering is another traditional practice in Tanzania, and many locals are open to it. If you have something you don’t mind parting with, like a watch, shoes, hat, or T-shirt, you can offer it in exchange for a souvenir. In return, you might get a Maasai beaded accessory, a blackwood figurine, or another unique handmade item.

Top 7 souvenirs from Tanzania to take home as a memory

You can find souvenirs all over Tanzania, from airport shops to hotel boutiques and even inside national parks. However, remember that prices at these spots tend to be higher than in city markets or local shops. Now, let’s dive into some of the best souvenirs to bring home as a reminder of your adventure.

Maasai: wooden sculptures, masks, and beaded jewelry

One of the distinctive decorative elements of the Maasai tribe is their beaded jewelry and handmade textiles made of colorful fabrics. From bracelets and necklaces to bags, belts, and sandals adorned with intricate beadwork forming traditional patterns, these accessories embody the bold spirit of one of Africa’s most renowned tribes.

The Maasai are famous for their centuries-old tradition of wood carving, with local artisans highly skilled in this craft. As a handcrafted souvenir from Tanzania, you can bring home anything from intricately carved figurines of elephants, lions, and other wildlife to impressive life-sized wooden sculptures.

Another popular souvenir associated with the Maasai is their intricately carved wooden masks. Traditionally used in tribal rituals and ceremonies, these masks are believed to embody the spirits of ancestors. Authentic ritual masks are rare and expensive, making them more popular among collectors than casual buyers. However, you can find more affordable souvenir versions that serve as unique and meaningful keepsakes.

Where to buy? For authentic Tanzanian souvenirs, visit Maasai villages, such as those in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area or the Esalali Women's Project in Karatu, between the crater and Lake Manyara.

You can also find craft ware items at the Maasai Market in Arusha. Its curio shops are full of traditional clothing, jewelry, and woven baskets. If you have time, visit the craft shop at the Boma Museum. You will find various handmade items and gifts there, such as scarves, shawls, notebooks, and even soft toys.

Check out workshops and retail stores like Sidai Center, which partners with Maasai women to create unique handmade jewelry of colorful beads. These pieces are crafted using traditional weaving techniques, making them truly special. You can even take a beadwork class taught by members of this ancient tribe. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and bring home a souvenir with a personal touch.

Tanzanite, a symbol of Tanzania

One of the most famous and sought-after Tanzanian souvenirs is jewelry featuring tanzanite. This deep blue gemstone, often compared to sapphire, is a national pride of Tanzania. According to local belief, a local man first discovered it in 1967. However, another version of the story is more common in the Western world.

According to it, tanzanite was first discovered by Manuel de Souza, an Indian tailor who moved to Tanganyika in 1933 to mine gold and gemstones. In 1967, he came across a semi-transparent violet mineral, which turned out to be a rare variety of zoisiteZoisite is a natural mineral. It is a complex silicate with aluminum and iron inclusions, which give it shades ranging from greenish-olive to bluish-green. found only in Tanzania.

When it comes to tanzanite souvenirs, you’ll find everything from simple pendants to intricately designed bracelets and necklaces. Naturally, prices vary based on the number of stones, their carat weight, and whether they are combined with other precious gems or metals. But tanzanite jewelry is more than just a keepsake: it’s a rare treasure with a fascinating history. 

Where to buy? For tanzanite jewelry, visit reputable shops such as the House of Gems in the heart of Stone Town, Zanzibar, just a few minutes walk from the Freddie Mercury Museum. In Dar es Salaam, you can check out the Tanzanite Dream. This is arguably the leading local gemstone and jewelry boutique.

Another option is Isle of Jewels (formerly Isle of Gems). This company specializes in handcrafted jewelry featuring East African gemstones, including tanzanite, garnets, rubies, and sapphires.

You can also visit the Tanzanite Experience, a network of jewelry stores in Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Manyara airports, Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and select lodges, hotels, and shopping centers. 

The Tanzanite Experience also operates tanzanite museums in Arusha, Manyara, and Zanzibar. Visitors can take a 45-minute guided tour to learn about the stone’s history, mining, and processing.  

In addition to these options, you can also visit any official dealer in the city where you're staying. Just be sure to ask for a receipt and a certificate of authenticity.

Tanzanian coffee and spiced tea

Coffee from Mount Kilimanjaro and tea from the slopes of the Usambara Mountains are among Tanzania’s finest treasures. Local coffee is prized for its rich, bold flavor with subtle fruity notes and a delicate floral hint. Tanzanians also love to add spices to ground coffee, creating a uniquely exotic taste.

Tanzanian tea is also a favorite among tourists. Hints of vanilla and spices give the drink a unique flavor and aroma. You can bring home the local version of masala tea, highly praised by tea enthusiasts worldwide, or rooibos. Both are delicious and beneficial for health.  

If you're buying packaged tea as a souvenir, be sure to check the ingredients. Local producers often add cinnamon, hibiscus, ginger, lemongrass, and other aromatic spices for a unique flavor.

Where to buy? Tanzanian coffee and tea can be found in almost any local market, airport, or specialty store in major cities like Arusha and Dar es Salaam. When buying coffee, look for the "AA" label on the packaging. It indicates higher-quality beans.  

For a more immersive experience, consider visiting the coffee plantations on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Altezza Travel offers tours to Materuni Waterfalls, which include a plantation visit, a fascinating lecture on coffee cultivation, a demonstration of processing methods, and, of course, a tasting session.

African masks and Makonde sculptures

The art of crafting MakondeThe Makonde are an ethnic group historically inhabiting southeastern Tanzania, northern Mozambique, and parts of Kenya. sculptures from African blackwood is a long-standing tradition in Tanzania. What makes these pieces unique is that many of them, no matter their size, are intricately carved from a single block of wood.

One of the most popular styles is the Tree of Life. The intricately intertwined human figures symbolize unity and interconnectedness.

Mapiko masksMapiko is the plural form of Lipiko, meaning a Makonde mask or helmet. These masks are primarily used in ceremonial dances during initiation rites. Carvers create them from softwood, often adding human hair for authenticity. They typically depict male and female faces adorned with ritual scarification. are another great handcrafted souvenir from Makonde culture. Similar to those of the Maasai, these masks were initially used in ceremonies and rituals. According to local beliefs, they help summon ancestral spirits. 

Authentic Mapiko masks are preserved in museums worldwide, but you can buy simplified versions as souvenirs in Tanzania.

Where to buy? You can visit the African Galleria on the way to the Ngorongoro Crater or at the Serengeti National Park. Here, you can admire authentic Makonde artwork and purchase souvenir replicas. Another option is the famous Mwenge Woodcarvers Market in Dar es Salaam. This large cultural hub hosts over 200 artists and craftsmen showcasing their work.

Colorful Tinga Tinga paintings

In any souvenir shop in Tanzania, you can find bright paintings with traditional themes depicting animals, birds, and human figures. This painting style is called Tinga Tinga, named after Eduardo Tingatinga, a Tanzanian artist who pioneered this art movement in the 1960s.

The earliest artworks in this style were painted on house walls and pieces of cardboard, which is how it became known as "square painting." 

Today, local artists paint Tinga Tinga artworks using vibrant enamel on muslin fabric. These vibrant canvases are affordable, easy to transport, and, most importantly, reflect Tanzanian culture. A Tingatinga painting can become a colorful reminder of your journey.

Where to buy? Tinga Tinga is one of Tanzania’s most prominent art styles, and you’ll find these paintings in nearly every souvenir shop, market, and art center. In Dar es Salaam, the Tinga Tinga Arts Cooperative Society features a gallery and a large showroom. If you're in Stone Town, consider visiting the Hellen Art Gallery or Hurumzi Henna for an authentic selection.

Zanzibar spices

Zanzibar's history has been deeply connected to the cultivation and trade of spices for centuries. As a result, the archipelago's main island is often called the "Spice Island." Strolling through local markets and bazaars, it’s impossible not to notice the rich, vibrant aromas filling the air.

Here, you’ll find a wide variety of spices, from fragrant cloves to sweet vanilla, cinnamon, and cardamom. Local markets sell hot chili peppers, turmeric, and curry by weight. You can pick up a ready-made masala tea blend or, with the help of a knowledgeable vendor, create your own unique spice mix to bring home the rich flavors of Zanzibar.

Where to buy? The best place to buy spices is at the markets in Zanzibar. However, even on the mainland of Tanzania, you’ll find plenty of shops offering spices from the island. For instance, in Dar es Salaam, Kariakoo Market is one of the top spots for roots, herbs, spices, and fruits.

If you’re visiting Zanzibar, make sure to check out Darajani Market. It's a favorite among both locals and tourists, especially for spice shopping.

Leather and soapstone crafts

In addition to wood carving, leather craftsmanship has been a long-standing tradition in Tanzania. Local artisans create beautiful and quality clothing pieces from leather. Some of the most popular items to buy include handmade bags, belts, and sandals. These goods are often designed with intricate detailing and embellishments, showcasing the region's rich cultural heritage.

In addition to wood and leather, soapstone is another popular material used for crafting souvenirs in Tanzania. You can find figurines made from this smooth, carveable stone at nearly any local market. Artisans most commonly create small, hand-carved statues of animals. Each piece is individually crafted and decorated, making these souvenirs both unique and culturally significant.

Where to buy? Handmade leather goods and soapstone figurines can be found in almost any souvenir shop, whether in local stores in the city or shops within hotels and airports. On Zanzibar, for example, these products are widely available at the concept store Zivansh in the heart of Stone Town and at the Zanzibar Gallery. The Zanzibar Gallery also sells unique handmade soaps infused with local spices.

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