Being on holiday means creating tons of memories that will forge a lifetime of stories. The kind that you tell friends over a bowl of popcorn between shuffling poker cards or to your grandkids around a campfire. If you were to visit Zimbabwe, what stories would you tell on your return?

Would it be one about when you went hippo watching and the sun lit the sky in a dusty-orange as it set over the Kariba dam, its reflection glistening over the water? Or would it be about the Vervet monkeys that nicked your picnic snacks and tucked them away into their grey fur as they ran for the trees to devour them? You could also tell them about the jacarandas that carpeted the towns and cities with regality in their distinct purple. 

Whatever story that has left footprints in your memory, you might find them incomplete without a physical souvenir. A memento that when you glance at it, its colors and textures dance in your mind, taking you back to the special moments of your trip. 

But not only do souvenirs serve as symbols of your travels, they make great gifts for your loved ones. You can tell them how much you thought of them on the trip and how you wished they were there to share the adventures with or even inspire them to make the voyage themselves. 

There are a host of options scattered across the lands of Zimbabwe so choosing the right one, or few, may be a challenging task. That’s why we’ve put together a few of our favourites.

Our top picks of Zimbabwean Souvenirs

1. Wearable art: Your trip wouldn’t be complete without a Zimbowtie and that’s why we’re obviously going to put ourselves on the list! Choose from a collection of one-of-a-kind bow ties, neck ties and hairbows. They're not only a fun conversation piece, they’re functional too. We started this project to inspire infinite creativity in Zimbabwe. We wanted to inspire the next generation of artists so that they can do the same for the generation after and ad infinitum. Each piece of wearable art tells a story of the rich culture of Zimbabwe and is made from upcycled pieces of material. When you buy a Zimbowtie product, a portion of our sales go towards funding children’s education.

2. Contemporary African Designs: Imagine being able to gaze into the African bush anytime you want. To watch cheetahs race across a pillow or the branches of a baobab dance along your wall. That would truly be a feast for the soul. Farai Wallace’s inspired collections of printed fabric and paper products allow you to take a piece of Africa home with you. They make wonderful gifts too and can be found in her gift shop in Victoria Falls or on Instagram: @faraiwallace_illustration

3. Wooden crafts: Combining the heritage of Morrocco with the influence of Zimbabwe bred the excellence that is Casa & Kumba. Their wooden collections are handcrafted in the Vumba Mountains of Eastern Zimbabwe from sustainable sources. The family-owned business uses recycled and reclaimed timber along with hardwoods sourced from registered concessions to deliver you with the chance to experience the magic of your travels over and over again. You can find their products, along with a wide selection of other products from Zimbabwe’s most talented artists (including our very own Zimbowties!), in Harare. Contact them on Instagram: @casakumba or on +263 787 722 841

4. Wine and wild dogs: Ok so you won’t be able to pick up a real wild dog and take it home with you, but you can take amazing collections of canvases that encapsulate the beauty of the African wild dog. Stemmed from a passion for these wonderful animals, as well as wine, food, art and responsible tourism, Lin Barrie paints the breathtaking landscapes of Zimbabwe and Mozambique as well as tells the stories of their culture and traditions through her art while encouraging conservation. You can find Lin on Instagram: @linbarrie or contact her at her studio on +263 772 922148 or +263 772 219204

5. Knitted crafts: if you were to hear the knitting needles of the Gogo Olive family clicking in unison around a table, you would know how much joy is put into making each of their products. Stitched from the goal of giving ex-inmates from the Mutare Remand Prison an opportunity to earn a living wage through knitting, Julie Hagan started on the journey of creating handmade and ethically produced knitted crafts. They range from finger puppets to keyrings and make for a wonderful part of a story to take home. You can find their crafts on Instagram: @gogoolive or contact them via their website: Contact Us – Gogo Olive (gogo-olive.com)