After you have seen the wildlife at the Masai Mara and visited a Maasai Village, do pick up some souvenirs as a reminder of your trip. From the vibrant Maasai beadwork to hand-carved wooden and soapstone pieces, these handicrafts are a testament to the craftsmanship, culture, and identity of the local people. When you buy an item, you are also supporting the artisans and contributing to the preservation of these art forms and cultural heritage. In this shopping guide, we’ll suggest the best things to buy in the Masai Mara, Kenya, introduce you to the Kenyan craft forms and share shopping tips.
Things to Buy in Masai Mara, Kenya:
When in the Masai Mara, you will not only see handicrafts made by the Maasai tribe but also an array of products made by other Kenyan tribes and communities. The souvenirs and handicrafts represent Kenyan craftsmanship more broadly.
A. Traditional Maasai Handicrafts
1. Maasai Beadwork
Beadwork is the heart of Maasai culture. Maasai women spend hours creating intricate patterns with tiny colourful beads. The colours have symbolic meanings: red for bravery and power, green for fertility and prosperity, white for purity, and blue for energy.
Beadwork Souvenirs to Buy:
- Jewellery: Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and chokers in vibrant colours.
- Sandals: Leather sandals decorated with beads.
- Home decor: Coasters, placemats, bowls to keep trinkets, and miniature animals.
- Keychains: Beaded keychains of animals and dolls.
2. Maasai Shukas or Wraps
You would have seen the Maasai men and women wrapped in bold red and blue checked shukas or wraps. Made of thick cotton or wool, you can use them as throws, picnic blankets or as shawls or stoles.
3. Leatherwork with Beaded Accents
Leathercraft is another traditional Maasai craft. Goat hide and cow hide are tanned and crafted into various items and embellished with beads.
Leatherwork Souvenirs to Buy:
- Sandals and slippers with beaded accents.
- Leather pouches and bags
- Belts and Wristbands
4. Spears and Shields
These remind you of the courage and strength of the Maasai warriors. Carrying an actual spear or shield can be a challenge in customs, but a miniature Maasai warrior with a spear and shield, or a spear-shaped magnet or keychain, is a safe option.
5. Musical Instruments
Maasai celebrate with music, be it drums, rattles and shakers. Wooden drums covered with hide, bamboo flutes, gourd shakers and rattles- a perfect mix of art and culture to carry home.
B. Kenyan Crafts and Arts
1. Soapstone Carvings from Kissi
Though not made by the Maasai, soapstone carvings from the Kissi region are perhaps Kenya’s most sought-after handicrafts. Soapstone is a soft, semi-translucent rock that is mined in Kenya’s Kissi region, carved, hand-polished and dyed in diverse colours including cream, red, green, and black. They are etched with designs of animals, Masai warriors or scenes of everyday life. My cousin from Kenya has gifted me several soapstone carvings over the years, which adorn our home. Spoiler alert- The soapstone pieces are heavy, so factor the weight while considering luggage restrictions.
Soapstone Carvings Souvenirs to Buy:
- Animal Figures: Big Five, Big Nine.
- Home Decor: Soap dishes, coasters, napkin holders, and tealight holders.
- Storage: Bowls, plates and boxes to keep jewellery and knick-knacks.
- Keychains: Wild animals, eggs and heart-shaped.
2. Wooden Carvings
Wood carvings are made from indigenous woods like ebony, mahogany, or olive wood. We saw souvenir warehouses and shops chock-full of wooden carving items, ranging from small pieces like keychains to huge pieces of giraffes and elephants.
Wooden Cravings Souvenirs to Buy:
- Figurines: Animals, Masai Warriors
- Masks and Animal heads or faces
- Home and Kitchen: Salad spoons, bowls, trays and wall accents
3. Kiondo Baskets and Bags
The Kikuyu and Kamba women make baskets and bags from sisal fibre. Not only are they eco-friendly, but they are also trendy. If you have the space in your luggage, consider picking these up for your girl and women friends. They are boho-chic and stylish, and they will thank you for them. Select a stackable set of Kiondo baskets to store your makeup and jewellery. They also make for good fruit and bread baskets or laundry bags.
4. Paintings and Art
You’ll find paintings of Maasai tribals, wildlife and even contemporary paintings by Kenyan artists up for grabs. The paintings are full of life, colour and storytelling. Batik paintings, created using wax-dye techniques, depict village scenes, animals, and people, and are another option. Choose rolled paintings without frames, which are easy to carry and don’t occupy space in your luggage.
C. Flavours of Kenya
1. Kenyan Coffee
Kenya produces excellent coffee with large beans, thanks to its fertile volcanic soil conditions. Who doesn’t mind a packet of coffee to start your day with a fresh brew?
2. Kenyan Tea
Masala Chai is not just popular in India but also in Kenya. They make perfect lightweight souvenirs for gifting.
3. Spices
You’ll also find a variety of spices, both whole, ground and as blends—cinnamon, cardamom, masala chai, pulav mixes, and lots more.
D. Small Souvenirs and Mementos
1. Keychains, Magnets and Postcards
If space or budget is a crunch, what better than a small souvenir: a beaded keychain, a Maasai warrior magnet, a wildlife postcard or miniature carvings.
2. Safari-Themed and Swahili-Themed Clothing and Accessories
Safari-themed caps, T-shirts, pouches, and shrugs with wildlife are wonderful keepsakes. A T-shirt with Swahili words and phrases like Jambo (Hello), Rafiki (Friend), Hakuna Matata (No worries) will remind you of your time in Masai Mara with the locals.
Where to Shop in the Masai Mara
1. Outside the Masai Mara Reserve
When you visit the Masai Mara Reserve and wait in line for entry, the Maasai women will come to your vehicle and cajole you to buy these products. It’s a good way to spend money since you know it’s directly reaching the locals with no middlemen.
2. Shops in Lodges and Hotels
Several lodges have souvenir shops where you can find a curated collection to pick and choose from.
3. Maasai Village
If you are planning to visit a Maasai Village, the Maasai guide will take you to the market square where handcrafted products are displayed. You can pick what you like in a basket, negotiate prices and pay at the end. (There is a separate blog on Maasai Village which you can read here.)
4. Souvenir shops on the way to and from Nairobi
We stopped at the Sandgrouse Curios and Art Gallery to shop for souvenirs.
Negotiating Prices & Bargaining in Masai Mara, Kenya
Shopping in the Masai Mara works differently than buying at regular shops. Most items do not have fixed price tags. Instead, you’re given a basket to collect the pieces you like, and when you’re ready to check out, an attendant will quote prices for each item and add them up.
Here’s the catch: the prices are not standardized. What you pay often depends on your appearance, accent, and nationality. Two people buying the exact same souvenirs may end up with very different totals. This can feel unfair and even frustrating at times.
Another catch is that since shops accept both shillings and USD, it can be a challenge to decide which currency to pay in. Some shops jack up the prices when you say you will pay in shillings and others when you agree to pay in dollars. This can get overwhelming because there seems to be no standard practice in place. While it’s important to support local artisans and not shortchange them, you also don’t want to pay unreasonably more than what is due.
We visited a lodge souvenir shop where prices were clearly displayed and selected souvenirs from there. Interestingly, you might even find better rates at airport shops like we did.
That said, buying directly from the Maasai locals has its own value — your money goes straight to the Maasai community, helping preserve their crafts and culture. The key is to approach bargaining with respect: negotiate politely, aim for a fair price, and remember that your purchase is also a form of support.
Shopping Tips When You Buy Things in Masai Mara, Kenya
The variety of items and souvenirs is so vast that you will get confused about what to pick and what to skip. Having a list of whom you want to gift to, as well as what you want for yourself, may be helpful. Another thing to keep in mind is how much space and weight you can carry back home. Please note that soapstone carvings are heavy, and kiondo baskets occupy volume. Some items, like animal products or sharp objects like spears, may create a problem at customs, so be wary. Also, ensure that the items are suitably packed lest they break in transit.
Final Word on Things to Buy in Masai Mara, Kenya
When you shop in Masai Mara, you don’t pick a souvenir- you are taking home a piece that reminds you of the people, traditions and culture that is unique to this region. Each time you will see that curio of a giraffe on your table or a hippo on your keychain, they will remind you of your Maasai Mara safari where you saw these creatures of creation. By choosing to buy local handicrafts and arts, you are being vocal for local and supporting an artisan’s dream, while helping to preserve these art forms for future generations. So, whether it’s a beaded bracelet or a Big Five decor piece, your souvenirs will always carry the heartbeat of the Masai Mara, Kenya and its people.