The Best Souvenirs to Bring back from a Safari in Uganda
Top Gifts and Souvenirs to pick up on a Safari in the Pearl of Africa
What Gifts and Souvenirs should I buy on a Safari in Uganda? Here are our suggestions for Arts and Crafts, Food, and more:
The 12 Perfect Souvenirs to Bring back from a Safari in Uganda. Souvenirs, arts, crafts, and other Ugandan-made products that you can give as a gift to family or friends. Some you just might want to keep for yourself as a reminder of your time in Uganda.
Here are our suggestions for you. There are many more that we could list. We have picked the best items our clients often have bought here and took home as a gift or safari memory.
You can readily purchase typical souvenirs such as locally made T-Shirts with something about Uganda on them. There are Kenyan and Congolese souvenirs that we leave out.
We have gone beyond the typical souvenirs, the usual trinkets, and the quickly tossed aside things. Our suggestions for souvenirs include some tasty treats, and other recommendations reflecting Ugandan culture and art. We even added some decorative or practical decoration items that you can display in your home.
We encourage you to buy gifts and souvenirs made in Uganda since they will empower a family, enhance a conservation effort, and provide income for a Ugandan family. We encourage clients to learn the art of making things like a basket, jewelry, and painting a batik. Such times prove to be enriching for both the visitor and Ugandan since they are both authentic and cross-cultural encounters. 
Such cultural encounters will leave lasting memories and connections that remain beyond your time on Safari in the Pearl of Africa. Getting to know Ugandans will give you insights into life in Uganda, and the encounters become enriching gifts themselves.
Buying Souvenirs directly from local artisans adds special touches to the memory of Uganda that you are buying for yourself or family and friends. Every time you look at such gifts, the story will return to you and remind you of your time in Uganda.
We could have listed many other things, such as Uganda’s famous Shea Butter, tasty peanuts, wild honey, dried fruit, Banana wine, books by Ugandan authors, and more.
We focused on what our clients have liked and bought to take home. We have listed some out-of-the-ordinary items and things that would not be considered a typical souvenir.
Our goal was to select a choice of Ugandan gifts. Things that you can only find in Uganda. There are a few exceptions, but most are genuinely Ugandan in nature.
Here are the 12 Perfect Souvenirs to Bring back from a Safari in Uganda
1. Ugandan Coffee-take home rich-tasting Ugandan Coffee
Uganda is a significant producer and exporter of Coffee. Coffee was born in Uganda, and the Robusta is indigenous to Uganda. The tasty Arabica varieties are grown in Eastern Uganda in the mountainous regions of Mount Elgon. In the West and Southwest of Uganda, Coffee is produced in the Gorilla (Kigezi)Highlands near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Coffee is also grown in the foothills of Africa’s tallest Mountain Range, the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon. Uganda produces some of the best Coffee in Africa. You can purchase some during your time on Safari with us. We recommend the Gorilla Conservation Coffee brand, and it is Coffee with a dual cause behind it.
When you are drinking it, you are saving Gorillas and empowering locals, one sip at a time. Gorilla Conservation Coffee is a social enterprise of Conservation Through Public Health, an award-winning NGO and non-profit organization.
Gorilla Conservation Coffee pays a premium price to help coffee farmers living next door to Uganda’s gorillas around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Supporting local farmers helps to protect the critically endangered gorillas and their fragile habitat.
You can buy the Coffee at lodges and hotels throughout Uganda, including at the duty-free shops at Entebbe International Airport.
2. Uganda Waragi-some call it the Spirit of Uganda
Uganda Waragi is the drink of choice of many Ugandans who celebrate the slightest occasion in life. Uganda Waragi is a part of Ugandan identity and is tied to its history.
The word Waragi comes from the words War Gin. It was given to Ugandan Soldiers before going into battle to give them courage.
Locally made Waragi is not recommended since methanol impurities often remain in the Ugandan Moonshine that names such as Enguli, Lira Lira, and Kasese.
Ugandan Waragi, or the Leading Brand Waragi, is triple distilled and safe for consumption. You can purchase a bottle of Waragi most anywhere for about seven dollars in local currency. You can also buy it at the Duty-Free Shops at the Entebbe International Airport as you depart for home.
Buy it as a gift for a friend or yourself; it will keep those Sundowner moments on your Safari in the Pearl of Africa alive and well. Ugandan Waragi is a taste of Uganda that you can take home for yourself or friends and family,
Uganda Waragi is not often found in Europe, the UK, the USA, Canada, or Australia. It is, however, an original Ugandan product with its own unique history. There are even flavors you can choose from, and we suggest that you stick to the original.
3. Spices from the Pearl of Africa:
Spices, as a souvenir, as a gift. Something you might not think about. Spices flavorings such as Vanilla can be an excellent gift that most appreciate.
Vanilla has become the new gold, and it is grown locally under an armed guard to protect the crop from thieves. Buying it right from Vanilla Farm will save you a lot of money, and Ben and Jerry’s Ice-cream purchase their Vanilla from Uganda.
Other spices can be bought at local markets in bulk, such as paprika, pepper, chili pepper, paprika, cardamom, saffron, and others. You will save a lot of money, and your spice gifts will be appreciated.
Spices can be bought at many of the large open-air markets throughout Uganda. Spices are sold in bulk in markets, and we suggest purchasing a Ugandan container to create that perfect spice gift.
4. Tea from the Pearl of Africa
Uganda is a significant producer of Tea in Africa, and its tea is shipped all over the world. The Mideast, Egypt, and Sudan are big consumers of tea imported from the pearl of Africa.
In Uganda, tea is the beverage of choice for most Ugandans. Chai, African tea with cinnamon, ginger, sugar, and milk, is favorite with Ugandans. Visitors often have to get used to the intense ginger flavor.
Black Tea, Green Tea, or tea with lemongrass added can be bought at most supermarkets. You can even buy tea directly from plantations that you pass by on your Safari in various parts of Uganda.
We will throw in an African Tea recipe if you ask us. Enjoy Uganda long after your Safari as you sip the tea from the Pearl of Africa.
The price is right, and tea is a gift many would enjoy back in your home country.
Take-Home a Taste of Uganda that will renew the precious memories of your time on Safari.
5. Gorilla Souvenirs & Gifts:
Reminders of your encounter with the gentle giants of the forest in Uganda. An excellent souvenir is a carved gorilla walking stick that you can buy while staying in Mgahinga Gorilla Park or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Other Gorilla Trekking Souvenirs can be Gorilla carvings that can be found here. The quality varies, but you can quickly see what is right and not. There are Gorilla Batiks, Gorilla Bracelets, earrings, and Gorilla T-Shirts. There is also the Gorilla Conservation Coffee that we mentioned already.
You will also find art and stuff that is pure tourist junk. The beauty of the assorted items offered is in the eye of the beholder.
You will find the usual items and the ones with that unique artistic input. That special effort put in by a local artisan that you will often be able to meet.
Whatever you purchase helps a Ugandan Family have a better day.
6. African Decor for your Home:
Accent your home with some touches from Uganda. Reminders of your time on Safari in the Pearl of Africa. Create that African room in your home and accent it with items you pick along your safari tour of Uganda.
Batiks, even larger paintings, can be rolled up and taken home. Mats that were woven in Uganda become colorful pieces on the floor or wall. Bark Cloth, unique to Uganda, was used in decorating the European Parliament, and why not use it in your home.
When you come across decorative things, look at them through creative eyes, and place them in your home. You will discover Pillow Covers, Place Mats, and Baskets. One can even use a drum as a lampstand in the corner of your African Room decorated with items found on your African Journey in Uganda.
Shipping can be arranged for items that you cannot fit into your suitcases. You might find some larger African art pieces, including pottery, large carvings, and drums. Add some African Decor to your home from Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
7. African Fabrics -The Kitenge Cloth-use it to decorate-make a dress from it:
The Kitenge Fabric has been called ‘the communicating textile’ because of the various colors, patterns, writings, and symbols that represent moods, feelings, cultures, and traditions of African people, including Uganda.
The beauty of kitenge is that it comes in various colors and patterns, with each telling its own story. A traditional batik technique prints these patterns; each holds its uniqueness and story.
It brings me great pleasure to see the streets of Kampala brightly colored with all these fabrics in different styles and prints. With people of all ages beautifully clad in these clothes.
The Kitenge fabric depicts the African heritage in every sense and has gained worldwide popularity. Fashion Designers and Decorators alike use it. You can do almost anything with it, a dress, shirts, decor in your home, and buy some original ones in Uganda on your Safari. Let us know, and we will assist you.
8. African Carvings discovered on your Safari:
Was it not for Baggage Restrictions and expensive excess charges, a lot more Ugandan carved items would find their way into Tourists’ homes from around the world?
You can find some excellent carved items such as tables with carved elephant trunks as legs and an intricately carved top. There are also superb carved chairs with wildlife or village carvings.
From crudely carved ones to those created by top-notch artists, African Masks abound.
Carved Wall Hangings of all kinds would be conversational pieces in your home for many years. We can assist you in arranging reasonably priced shipping of heavier items to your country. Just ask.
Gone are the days when an airline-counter person would give you, as I experienced when I brought back to the US, two large drums, a carved table, and two carved chairs.
9. Drums made in Uganda by the Royal Drum makers:
Drums and more drums are found everywhere, and Uganda is known for its excellent drums made in the Pearl of Africa.
In Mpambire, you find the Baganda Royal Drum makers, and they and their ancestors have been creating drums for over five hundred years in the exact location. If you visit parks in western Uganda, you will drive through Mpambire, where you will find drums in abundance and be able to watch the drum-makers at work.
Drums are a part of African Culture and life. Not only can you buy a drum to take home, and you can be taught to use the drum.
The drums in Uganda are all hand-made from natural materials, and the drum makers even grow their trees because of ecological reasons.
You will find a wide variety of musical instruments for sale in Uganda. Take a few homes with you. There will be a size that fits into your luggage.
We can arrange drumming lessons for you so that you know how to use your newly bought drum.
10. Ugandan Ethnic Jewelry:
You will come across all kinds of jewelry made in Uganda during your Safari in the Pearl of Africa. It ranges from inexpensive to jewelry made of precious metals.
Most purchased the inexpensive jewelry made by mostly women for sale to tourists and sold abroad, providing a decent income for a Ugandan family.
Hands-on lessons can be arranged for you to learn the art of making jewelry in Ugandan style.
It also allows you to get to know some Ugandans. Such times often result in lasting friendships over the Internet.
We can arrange that for you if you want to purchase bulk beads, especially in Kampala.
11. Snare-Ware Sculptures:
Snares to Wares is a community-based conservation initiative started by Michigan State University dedicated to improving human livelihood and protecting wildlife in East Africa. We remove wire snare traps from Murchison Falls National Park to keep nature safe from being poached.
Those wires are then given to local artisans in Pakwach who train community members (especially youth vulnerable to being recruited by poachers) to make a living in craftsmanship rather than poaching. By transforming wire snares into art pieces, these young artists gain the skills and experience to provide for themselves and their families without ever resorting to poaching.
Each piece of art is crafted out of snare wire retrieved from Murchison Falls National Park. Snare wire traps wildlife such as lions, giraffes, and elephants.
Proceeds from the sale of these sculptures flow directly into the community to sustain these transformations.
12. Made from Bark Cloth Products – a one-of-a-kind souvenir
Bark Cloth is an ancient craft of the Baganda People that goes back to the 14th Century. The Ngong clan traditionally created Barkcloth and clothing and things. Barkcloth is used as a backdrop in the European Parliament
The items were used in both rituals and as regular clothing. Curtains, decorations, and other items were created. Today you can purchase Bark Cloth items at souvenir shops all over Uganda.
You choose clothing items, hats, purses, bags, pillows, wall coverings, etc.
Even the Ugandan has draped Barkcloth in it. It was used by a German designer who was familiar with and loved the look of Barkcloth.
Bark Cloth is an original craft recognized by UNESCO for cultural significance and importance. It is certainly not an item that many of your friends will have.
Barkcloth making is becoming a lost art in the central region of Uganda, and efforts are underway to keep the art of barkcloth making alive.
The 12 Perfect Souvenirs to Bring back from a Safari in Uganda
The 12 Perfect Souvenirs to Bring back from a Safari in Uganda: We could add many more souvenir suggestions. If you come with open eyes, you will find them—gifts beyond the norm. We know Uganda, and we live and work here, and tourism is our passion and business.
We love to assist you in bringing home a bit of Uganda as a reminder of your Safari in the Pearl of Africa.
Uganda has all the expected tourist items that you expect on an African Safari. We can take you to such places in Kampala or, better, to the Friday Craft Market, where you deal directly with the artist.
We will help you locate what you would like on your Safari. Uganda is filled with talented people who would love to create what you would like.
Take home a bit of Africa from Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, and remember your time here on a safari.
