Shopping in Africa

To summarize my comments from our orientation, there are many fun things to bring back from Africa. I love their wooden carvings of animals and people. These come in all sizes and a variety of woods. They can be very expensive and are found in craft stores as well as along the road side. 

Wherever you shop, be prepared to barter. The first price offered should never be the price you pay.  Except maybe in the hotel gift shop and even there, you might get them talked down.

There are natives everywhere hawking their goods but be careful, because when you start bartering, its hard to stop them and soon a crowd will follow and they can get aggressive. Be prepared to walk away from the deal if you want a good price.  

There are also very nice jewelry stores with Tanzanite. These I'm not so sure of the bartering. Our drivers may be able to counsel you on this.  But be cautious.

We brought back a number of cloths that were packaged by the natives that they wear as their everyday clothing and we use them for table cloths. These should be bartered for and the price should be around $5 if I recall correctly. Julie of Lion Safari can tell us better.  We will be taken to several of these stores for shopping and you can use your credit cards there.
 
Bracelets and necklaces are good souvenirs to bring home for friends too and are priced well. Of course they will be highest at the hotel gift shop, but sometimes the prices are good there too.  The native village we visit probably will be over priced, but the novelty may be worth the price tag if you want to take something home with you from there.  

Some tour members last year took home sandals made from tire treads. Spears are another favorite thing that men often take home with them.  Just try not to take home any foreign bugs.  My advice is have plenty of low dollar bills for bartering in roadside shops and use credit cards in the established shops.  

---