Treasures from Africa: Souvenirs that tell a story
By Daphne Wijnveldt on 15th November, 2025
My Favourite African Safari Souvenirs
Every journey leaves me with memories, but some come home with me in the form of beautiful keepsakes. I call them my treasures from Africa, as the souvenirs tell a story.
From clever inventions to meaningful art, here are a few of my favourite souvenirs and the stories they tell.
African Slow Cooker
One of my absolute favourites is my Wonderbag, a slow cooker that’s as clever as it is meaningful. It’s an ingenious African invention, an insulated bag that continues to cook your food without using extra energy. I love it because it’s not only practical (perfect for slow-cooked stews after long days of planning safaris!) but also supports local communities and sustainability. The reason for this is that if someone buys this African treasure, a local family will receive one too. Every time I use them (by now I have two), I feel a little bit of Africa in my kitchen.
My sculptures
Next are my wooden sculpture, a white rhino, a black rhino, a wildebeest, 4 elephants and a giraffe. All pieces are hand-carved by local artists. The white rhino and the big elephant are made from ironwood and you can see the detail and strength in the wood, just like in the animals themselves. The rhino, in particular, holds a very special place in my heart, given my connection to rhino conservation. These sculptures remind me daily of the importance of protecting Africa’s wildlife, and of the people who dedicate their lives to doing so.
They even have names
Call me weird, but I even gave these treasures from Africa names that remind me of where I found them. For example my ironwood rhino and elephant are called Potty and Holy, as I bought them from a local artist on the parking area of Bourke’s Luck Potholes along the Panorama Route in South Africa. My giraffe is called Raity, as I bought it in the Winelands to support a local artist near Raithby. The three small elephants are called Dune, Skell and Rough. As a memory of the desert elephants at the Skeleton Coast/Namibia. The wildebeest is called Naibo, as I was lucky to witness a river crossing while I stayed at Naibor Camp in the Masai Mara/Kenya. There are more, but they will stay anonymous for now (-;
Well there is also Olpy, my black rhino who reminds me of a fantastic place called Ol Pejeta in Kenya. Here I encountered the most chilled black rhinos ever!
More treasures:
During my 3 weeks in the northern and eastern Sabi Sand reserve, I was so privileged to see a fair amount of African wild dogs. These sightings are always very special, as the African wild dog is listed as endangered specie. It is so fascinating to watch a pack of wild dogs hunt. These sightings were the reason why I bought the bronze statue of an African Wild Dog at Londolozi. They had a pack of 7 on the hunt, but buying them all really did blow my budget.
And my newest, very special treasure…
A miniature sculpture from the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden. If you’ve ever been there, you’ll understand how deeply moving that place is. It’s not just about art; it’s about emotion, nature, and the wildness that lives inside all of us. Having a small piece from there feels like holding a fragment of that powerful creative energy. It’s something I’ll cherish forever.
Other Souvenirs
Of course over the years a lot more ‘thingies’ found their way into my luggage. Such as handmade leather and beads belts, solar jars, jewellery made from snares to help wildlife foundations. ‘Save the Rhino’ bracelets again to help conservation. Jewelery, pillow cases, shirts with lodge logo’s, silk scarf, handbags, just to name some.
Another kind of ‘souvenirs’ are the scars on my arms that remind me of the ‘crazy’ times helping out on game census on a horseback safari. The thick bushes with sharp thorns and me and my brave pony chasing a giraffe that was darted by a vet. Goodness what an amazing trip that was!!!
So nice to reminisce:
Of course, the journey home with these treasures from Africa wasn’t always elegant. I’ve found myself dragging my Wonderbag slow cooker through airports, alongside a hefty 3kg bronze sculpture from Dylan Lewis — and let me tell you, it’s not exactly light luggage! Travelling with souvenirs like these can be tricky, but it’s worth every bit of effort for the memories and meaning they carry.
Every souvenir I’ve brought home tells a story of places that have shaped me, people who’ve inspired me, and moments that remind me why I fell in love with Africa in the first place.
What about you?
Do you have a favourite souvenir that brings back special memories every time you look at it? I’d love to hear the story behind it. And if you are ready to get some new souvenirs, contact me!
Written by Daphne Wijnveldt
Top Travel Tip
“..Waking up at 5am, doesn’t get better than in the African Bush! Waking up to the sounds of the wildlife, the smell of fresh coffee and the knowledge that soon you will see amazing things during a morning game drive” – Daphne, Africa Safari Specialist
