Welcome to our blog post dedicated to the enchanting world of Tanzania gifts that take you beyond the traditional safari experience in Tanzania! While spotting the Big Five is undoubtedly exhilarating, there’s a whole world of unforgettable gifts waiting to be discovered in this captivating land. So get ready to explore the wild and wonderful world of Tanzania souvenirs!
In this post, we’ll unveil a treasure trove of unique and vibrant gifts that bring the African spirit right to your doorstep. From tribal-inspired artwork to handcrafted wonders, we’ll show you how to bring a touch of Tanzania home!
Are you short on time? Check out the editor’s top three gifts from Tanzania by budget.
- Large budget: Handmade oven mitts (#1)
- Mid budget: Nativity scene (#14)
- Small budget: Chocolate from Tanzania (#18)
Table of Contents
Save these Tanzania gifts
Don’t forget to save these gifts from Tanzania for the next time you need gift ideas!
Tanzanian gifts for large budgets
#1 Handmade oven mitts
These oven mitts are handmade by artisans in Tanzania. They are beautiful Tanzanian gifts for people who love cooking or baking.
The Kitenge patch will be different for each mitt, so keep in mind that the mitts you order might look slightly different than the photo.
#2 Tanzanite jewelry
Looking to surprise a Tanzania enthusiast with a gift?
Look no further than tanzanite jewelry! It’s like wrapping up a piece of Tanzania’s essence in a tiny, sparkling package. Picture their face when they unwrap a pendant or a pair of earrings featuring this rare and stunning gemstone.
#3 Handmade notebooks
Looking for a unique Tanzania gift?
Then these vibrant, handmade cloth-covered hardback notebooks are perfect. They’re straight from a workshop in Dar Es Salaam. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they’re also practical with their sturdy hardback covers and ample lined pages. Plus, they’re crafted with care by talented individuals at a Self-Supporting Deaf & Disability Workshop, so you’re not just giving a notebook, you’re also supporting the local community in Tanzania.
#4 Tanzanian gifts for her: bracelet
Sidai Design is an amazing brand that works with Maasai women who create jewelry and home decor items.
They design and produce beautiful beaded jewelry, such as the bracelet in the photo. But make sure you check out the other options too.
#5 Mount Kilimanjaro wall art
This handmade print of Mount Kilimanjaro is the perfect gift for a couple who recently visited Tanzania or who are planning to go there for their honeymoon! It’s a beautiful reminder of their trip that can add a bit of that Tanzania flair to their home.
Though check out Etsy for more beautiful Kilimanjaro-themed posters.
#6 Tanzania-themed hoodie
This Tanzania-themed hoodie is the perfect gift for someone who loves Tanzania and who’s always cold.
I picked a women’s hoodie as an example here, but there are some pretty cool Tanzania-themed men’s hoodies on Amazon too.
#7 Map of Tanzania
Maps are always a good gift idea for travel lovers. And for Tanzania lovers, a map of Tanzania is always a good gift idea!
You can find many different map designs on Etsy, such as watercolor maps, vintage maps, or 2d maps.
Or you can go for the map on Amazon.
Tanzanian gifts for mid-budgets
#8 Books about Tanzania
Julius Nyere by Pau Bjerk
This is one of the best Tanzania gifts for people who love history. The book covers the ups and downs of the political career of the former president of Tanzania.
Culture Smart: Tanzania
The essential guide to customs and culture in Tanzania is the perfect gift for people who are going to live in Tanzania or people who love learning about local cultures.
The worlds of a Maasai warrior
This is a great gift for people who love to learn more about the Maasai tribe in Tanzania. It’s an autobiography of a Maasai man who grew up in the 50s and 60s in a Maasai village and later moved to Europe and the US.
#9 Tanzania-inspired gifts: socks
Socks are one of my favorite gifts for anyone because they are small, essential and you can find them in pretty much any theme, including Tanzania.
I always like the heart socks with the flag of a country. But there are 9 different options on Zazzle if you want to give socks as Tanzanian gifts.
#10 Tanzanian coffee
About 3% of Tanzania’s export consists of coffee. So if you are looking for fun gifts from Tanzania for a coffee lover, this is the perfect gift!
Fun fact about Tanzanian coffee. Did you know that peaberry coffee is a variety type of coffee where the flower only contains one bean, instead of the regular two. It occurs naturally and both in Arabica and Robusta coffee beans.
Oh and if you would like some more inspiration for a gift for someone who loves coffee, check out the coffee gift guide.
#11 Tanzania cookbooks
Eva Pendaeli’s Original Tanzania cookbook
If you are looking for Tanzania gifts for foodies, this cookbook is what you need. It’s the first Tanzanian cookbook, and it includes delicious traditional Tanzanian recipes!
In Bibis Kitchen: The Recipes and Stories of Grandmother’s from the 8African Countries that Touch the Indian Ocean
This is one of the best cookbooks for people who love African dishes. It includes recipes from South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea, and of course Tanzania.
#12 Tanzania-themed travel mug
Would you like more Tanzanian gifts for coffee lovers?
Then a Tanzania-themed travel mug is a perfect gift.
Whenever the recipient gets takeaway coffee, they can use your gift and be reminded of their favorite country in the world.
And one more bonus of this gift is that the recipient will no longer use disposable cups.
#13 Swahili language course
Swahili and English are the two official languages in Tanzania, but Swahili is more widely spoken.
So if you are looking for Tanzanian gifts for someone who would love to connect with locals and learn new languages, a Swahili language course is the perfect gift.
You can go for the self-study book on Amazon. This book is perfect for people who just want to get a basic understanding of Swahili.
And if you are looking for a gift for someone who prefers to be taken by the hand through a course, then check out the Swahili course on Udemy. What I also liked about the course on Udemy is the fact that it’s specific for Tanzanian Swahili rather than general Swahili. Because just as in English or Arab, there are many variations in Swahili too.
#14 Handmade African nativity scene
This is by far the best Christmas gift from Tanzania!
A handmade African Nativity scene from Dar Es Salaam. These quirky characters are like the most beautiful Christmas crew you’ll ever meet. They’re made from recycled paper strips, have wooden heads (no splinters, promise!), and rock stylish outfits crafted from authentic African kitenge fabric.
And hey, you’re not just giving a gift, you’re supporting a workshop for people with disabilities. How’s that for spreading the Christmas cheer?
#15 Edward Tingatinga style name board
Are you looking for a unique Tanzania souvenir?
Then this family name board in the iconic Edward Tingatinga style is perfect for you!
Picture your recipient’s family’s name beautifully painted in vibrant hues, surrounded by whimsical African fish and lively scenes of daily life. It’s like having a Tingatinga masterpiece personalized just for them!
#16 Tanzania travel guides
Kilimanjaro: The trekking guide to Africa’s highest mountain
If you are looking for Tanzanian gifts for someone who is going to hike up Kilimanjaro or someone who loves mountaineering, this is the perfect gift.
Lonely Planet Tanzania
This is one of the best Tanzania gifts for budget travelers. Lonely Planets are basically the backpacker’s bible.
Tanzania safari guide: With Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and the Coast
Bradt guides are my favorite guidebooks when it comes to the African continent. And this one is perfect for people who are going to Tanzania to visit some of the main highlights: safaris, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar.
#17 Tanzania-inspired gifts: tote bag
With over 250 different Tanzania-themed tote bags on Zazzle, I am sure you can find one that the recipient will love.
I love the colorful tote bag, but you can also find bags with animal prints or prints of the Kilimanjaro, for example.
Tanzanian gifts for small budgets
#18 Tanzania chocolate
Are you looking for Tanzania souvenirs for people who have a sweet tooth and who love chocolate? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?). Then this chocolate bar made from Tanzanian cacao is perfect.
#19 Handmade zipper purse
If you are looking for beautiful gifts from Tanzania, then this cute wallet and zipper purse is exactly what you need.
It’s not just a gorgeous accessory for someone who loves Tanzania. It’s also a gift that gives back to the local community in Tanzania, making it the perfect gift for everyone.
#20 Tanzania gifts for her: map necklace
If you are looking for Tanzanian souvenirs for her, but this cute necklace in the shape of the map of Tanzania is another awesome idea!
#21 Tanzania travel journal
Travel journals are always good ideas for people who are leaving for a trip soon. They are small and practical and what makes this one of the best Tanzania gifts is that the journal is dedicated to a trip to Tanzania.
Don’t forget to check out these 25 travel journals if you need more inspiration.
#22 Tanzania travel poster
This Tanzania travel poster is the perfect alternative if #5 was over your budget. Or if you are looking for Tanzania gifts for people who love Tanzania’s wildlife.
#23 Tanzania-themed gifts: keyring
If you are looking for fun, small Tanzania-inspired gifts, this keyring with the flag of Tanzania is perfect.
Keyrings are super easy for travelers to take with them on a trip, and with this gift, they will always carry a piece of Tanzania with them.
#24 Maasai beads earrings
These earrings are another example of great traditional Tanzanian gifts for her.
I also shared this gift in my Kenya gift guide because the Maasai live in both Kenya and Tanzania.
So these handmade earrings with the Maasai beads work for people who either or both countries.
#25 Tanzania-themed bracelet
Do you need more cute Tanzania souvenirs for her?
Then this small bracelet to remember her trip to Tanzania or her love for the country is perfect! She can use it to add some color to every outfit and wear Tanzania close to her heart.
Save these Tanzania gifts
Did you save these Tanzania souvenirs and gifts to Pinterest already?
Final note on Tanzania-inspired gifts
Alright, so you made it all the way to the bottom of the post and you still haven’t made up your mind?
Here are my three favorite gifts and souvenirs from Tanzania in each price range to help you decide:
- Large budget: Handmade oven mitts (#1)
- Mid budget: Nativity scene (#14)
- Small budget: Chocolate from Tanzania (#18)
