BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi I am climbing Mount Kili Dec 13th-23rd, then doing a 3 day safari. I am wondering the cost of souvenirs and things(US $). I would like to bring something small back for each of my 3 kids and "mount Kili" t-shirts. Anyone have any idea of costs? Would like an idea of how much to take for "extras"

really??? No one has bought any souvenirs in Africa lol!

Well, cheap. I bought a bunch of little nic nacks, carvings, prints, a few t-shirts, refrigerator magnets, hats, etc. and spent less than $75. Just don’t buy at JRO (the Kilimanjaro airport) their prices are higher and they don’t barter. I bought some tanzanite stones though that set me back about $300. I’ve since had them made into a necklace and earrings here. Most else was included in the package price. I spent a some on snacks and alcohol. At Mweka we bought beers and Cokes for our porters, cook, guides, and ourselves. I think that ran about $30. And then there are the tips for the crew...

How is it to get this stuff home? Do they have a post office there? Can the hotels help establish shipping? Or do you just buy what you can haul back on your person?

I personally didn’t buy anything very big. It all fit into my suitcase, duffel, and carry on. I did make a little extra room though by donating some of my old hiking gear (boots, down vest, etc.) to a couple of the guys on the crew. But maybe you could arrange shipping for larger items though the hotels. I don’t think any of the shops I went too could handle shipping though. Maybe in Moshi or Arusha but we didn’t spend any time in these larger cities...

At Mweka gate they were selling Kili T-shirts (Just Done It etc) for $8USD.

Depending who you met and how well you bartered, you could get carved necklaces (giraffes, elephants, maasai masks etc) for about $2USD. Same with banana leaf paintings, anywhere from $2USD-$10USD, depending on your bargaining skills.

Wood carvings, I got a rhino for my kid for like $5USD.

Especially on your safari you'll find oodles of opportunities to buy crap. Good idea to look around, get an idea of some of the prices, and then you'll know the ballpark. Start really low and work up. Almost 100% success rate of getting to the price I wanted to pay and when they wouldn't accept, just handing the stuff back to them and saying "thank you but no", they'd then almost always say "ok, I'll take that offer".

Be polite and friendly though, don't be rude and condescending. Some of them can get pretty pissed.

Thanks for the hints! I feel better knowing a bit more what to expect-and am glad that you told me about the bartering-good to know!
Thanks

hi
it will be $20 to 30 for T- shirt and souvenirs it will be around $10 to 20.and this also will depend where are you buying.

I just returned from a trek & safari. The only things we picked up were small carvings $5 or so and a pair of sandles. There are many kili tee shirts to choose from. It seems just about everything is negotiable.

I am curious about the souvenir shops on the road. It kinda looked like many items were mass produced in korea or india. I would have liked to visit some artists, but our guide said he did not know of any artisans. Another group found a wood carver in Kenya near their camp though.

I asked my 6 year old son what he would like me to bring back and he said "just say hi to Pumba and Timon for me!" (lion king)
Works for me lol! And cheap!