From the thunder of Victoria Falls to the dry grass scent of the Kafue plains, Zambia moves through your senses, the spray from Mosi-oa-Tunya fogging your hair. The metallic tang of copper dust in the air near Kitwe and the bright colors of chitenge cloth fluttering on market stalls in Lusaka.

Walk a dusty lane in Livingstone at dawn and you’ll hear vendors arranging wooden carvings, smell roasted groundnuts, and feel sun-warmed mopane sculptures under your fingertips.

Markets here are tactile and loud such as Kabwata Cultural Village humming with drumbeats and beadwork demonstrations, while Soweto Market in Lusaka overflows with spices, textiles, and household wares.

From Makishi masks of the Northern Province to emeralds from Kafubu and baobab sweets from rural stalls, these items tell stories of land and craft.

Here’s what to buy in Zambia to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Chitenge fabric

Why pick this up:
Chitenge is Zambia’s everyday, ceremonial and fashion cloth — vivid patterns that dress markets, weddings and street life across Lusaka and Livingstone. It’s lightweight, versatile and makes for instant, wearable memories of Zambia’s color palette.

What to look for:
Seek full-width cotton pieces with saturated dye and clear block-print motifs; traders in Kabwata and Soweto Market often sell locally-printed bolts. Avoid overly glossy, synthetic-feeling yardage which is usually imported.

Price bracket (2025):
K80–K450 per meter

Where to find it:
Kabwata Cultural Village, Soweto Market, Livingstone craft stalls

2. Makishi masks

Why pick this up:
Makishi masquerade masks — carved and painted by artisans in the Northern and Luapula provinces — are steeped in initiation ceremonies and regional storytelling. They’re striking wall pieces that carry ceremonial symbolism.

What to look for:
Hand-carved wood with layered pigments, sometimes with sisal or raffia details; ask about the mask’s provincial origin (Luapula or Northern). Avoid thin, machine-made replicas lacking paint depth.

Price bracket (2025):
K350–K1,500

Where to find it:
Craft markets in Kasama, Kabwata Cultural Village, Livingstone craft stalls

3. Mopane wood carvings

Why pick this up:
Mopane and mukwa timbers produce dense, dark carvings that respond beautifully to fine detail — ideal for animals, bowls and figurines inspired by Zambian wildlife. The grain and weight make each piece unique.

What to look for:
Look for hand-tool marks, fine sanding and a natural oil finish; pieces carved near safari towns (Siavonga, Kafue) often reflect local fauna. Be cautious of lacquered mass-produced items from overseas.

Price bracket (2025):
K150–K800

Where to find it:
Livingstone craft stalls, Mosi-oa-Tunya market, Lusaka artisan boutiques

4. Zambian emeralds

Why pick this up:
Zambia is one of the world’s top emerald producers (Kagem mine), and its deep-green stones are prized for clarity and color. A genuine Zambian emerald is a dramatic, lasting keepsake.

What to look for:
Buy from reputable dealers who provide a certificate of origin; faceted stones should be fairly clear with a vibrant, bluish-green hue. Be wary of low-priced stones without paperwork or warranties.

Price bracket (2025):
K2,000–K60,000 (depending on carat & clarity)

Where to find it:
Jewellery stores in Lusaka and Ndola, accredited gem dealers, select museum shops

5. Copper art & repurposed copper jewellery

Why pick this up:
Copper links directly to Zambia’s Copperbelt identity — artisans bend, hammer and patina scraps into bracelets, bowls and sculptural pieces that celebrate industrial heritage. These make durable, industrial-chic mementos.

What to look for:
Solid copper or properly plated items with visible hammer marks and hallmarks; check for sturdy clasps on jewellery. Avoid thin, easily bent alloys sold at tourist prices.

Price bracket (2025):
K200–K1,200

Where to find it:
Artisan stalls in the Copperbelt towns, Kabwata Cultural Village, select galleries in Lusaka

6. Wooden nshima spoons and kitchenware

Why pick this up:
Hand-carved wooden spoons, bowls and serving platters used for nshima are practical keepsakes that bring a daily touch of Zambia into your kitchen. Their patina deepens with use and tells a story.

What to look for:
Solid mopane or mukwa wood, smooth finishes and rounded edges; functional carvings from rural markets often show individual artisan marks. Steer clear of very light, fragile pieces that may be plywood.

Price bracket (2025):
K60–K250

Where to find it:
Livingstone Market, Soweto Market, Kabwata stalls

7. Woven baskets & reed mats

Why pick this up:
Baskets and sleeping mats made from local grasses and reeds are both decorative and utilitarian, reflecting village-level weaving traditions from Western and Luapula provinces. Patterns and dyes vary by region.

What to look for:
Tight, even weaves and natural fibers (wild grass, reeds); ask if dyes are plant-based rather than synthetic. Large floor mats should be rolled for transport.

Price bracket (2025):
K100–K600

Where to find it:
Soweto Market, weekend craft markets, Kabwata Cultural Village

8. Baobab powder & sweets

Why pick this up:
Baobab fruit flesh becomes a tangy, vitamin-rich powder used in drinks and preserves — a unique edible souvenir from semi-arid provinces. It’s a taste of Zambia’s wild fruit traditions.

What to look for:
Vacuum-sealed, labelled packaging with harvest dates and no added fillers; prefer small-batch producers sold at Livingstone or rural markets. Avoid open, loose powders with no expiry.

Price bracket (2025):
K50–K250 per packet

Where to find it:
Livingstone craft food stalls, Lusaka specialty food markets, airport shops

9. Zambian coffee beans

Why pick this up:
Smallholder coffee from the northern highlands and Muchinga region yields fragrant, medium-bodied beans that showcase local terroir and rising specialty roasters. Fresh-roasted beans are a flavorful souvenir.

What to look for:
Whole-bean, single-origin bags with roast date and farm or cooperative listed; opt for medium roasts if unsure. Steer clear of dusty, old-ground coffee packets.

Price bracket (2025):
K150–K600 per 250–500g bag

Where to find it:
Specialty cafés and roasters in Lusaka, Livingstone markets, airport boutiques

10. Traditional drums & percussion

Why pick this up:
Handmade drums, whether small tambourines or larger ngoma drums, embody Zambia’s musical life and make great centerpieces or instruments for home use. They’re crafted with local hide and hardwood.

What to look for:
Natural hide heads, solid wooden shells and secure lacing; test the tone in-store. Avoid drums with synthetic skins or poor tuning hardware.

Price bracket (2025):
K300–K1,200

Where to find it:
Kabwata Cultural Village, Livingstone craft areas, festival stalls

11. Beadwork & Lozi-style bracelets

Why pick this up:
Intricate bead necklaces and bracelets reflect regional identities — Lozi bead patterns and beaded belts are wearable canvases of local history. They’re lightweight and easy to pack.

What to look for:
Even beadwork with secure thread and traditional colour patterns; ask if local women’s cooperatives made them. Discard overly uniform, machine-beaded items with identical flaws.

Price bracket (2025):
K50–K400

Where to find it:
Soweto Market, Kabwata Cultural Village, Livingstone souvenir stalls

Tip: When buying, ask the artisan about the story behind the piece and take a photo — provenance makes a souvenir priceless. 😊

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Zambian shopping culture is anchored in open-air markets, community craft centers and occasional weekend bazaars where artisans display work made from regional materials.

Kabwata Cultural Village in Lusaka is a formal hub for artisans demonstrating carving, beadwork and textile techniques, while Soweto Market remains the bustling everyday bazaar for foodstuffs and household goods.

In Livingstone, markets near Mosi-oa-Tunya cater to visitors looking for safari-themed crafts and edible treats.

Bargaining is normal in open markets but done respectfully; prices in fixed shops and museum stores are usually non-negotiable.

Many rural crafts are produced by cooperative groups or family-run workshops, buying directly from these sellers supports artisans and preserves techniques like mask carving, basketry and copper-smithing.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Look for irregularities that signal handcraft: uneven carved lines in mopane wood, slight asymmetry in beadwork, and visible hand-stitching on chitenge garments.

Natural materials like untreated wood, plant-dyed textiles, natural-hide drums and unprocessed copper are clues to authenticity.

For emeralds and gemstones, insist on documentation and buy from accredited dealers; for copper items, check for weight and hammer marks rather than perfectly smooth factory finishes.

For food items, check packaging for harvest/roast dates, origin information and vacuum sealing; baobab powder and coffee should list the cooperative or producer.

Avoid glossy, identical souvenirs in plastic packaging, those are often imported, mass-produced items rather than genuine Zambian craft.

Where to Shop in Zambia

• Soweto Market (Lusaka) — the city’s largest open-air market for textiles, food and household goods.
• Kabwata Cultural Village (Lusaka) — an artisan hub for carving, beadwork and chitenge.
• Mosi-oa-Tunya / Livingstone craft markets — near Victoria Falls, great for mopane carvings and edible treats.
• Copperbelt towns (Ndola, Kitwe) — for copper art and industrial-inspired pieces.
• National Museum of Zambia (Lusaka) and select museum shops — for curated, ethical souvenirs.
• Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (Lusaka) and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula Airport (Livingstone) — last-minute gifts and packaged foods.
• Weekend craft markets and festival stalls in Lusaka and Livingstone — rotating maker markets featuring small-batch producers.

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Zambia expensive?
A: Prices vary widely — markets and direct artisan stalls are affordable, while certified emeralds, gallery pieces and fine jewellery command premium prices.

Q: Is bargaining common in Zambia?
A: Yes, bargaining is normal at open-air markets; start lower than the asking price and stay polite. Fixed shops and museum stores usually have set prices.

Q: How do I know if an item is locally made?
A: Ask about the maker, look for hand-tool marks and natural materials, and buy from cooperative stalls or Kabwata-style villages where artisans work in front of customers.

Explore Zambia’s markets and craft villages to find souvenirs that carry the country’s landscapes, materials and stories — Zambia souvenirs await your discovery.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!