Souvenir Shopping while safari hunting in South Africa

Although you are going to South Africa for other than shopping, we're sure just about everyone will want to take back some kind of souvenirs. With its diverse cultures, South Africa is a paradise for those of you who love art, artifacts, curios and other crafts. Although precious stones, jewelry and gold have a "world" price, you will find that these items can be purchased at a somewhat lower cost. Open-air markets (flea markets) abound in our area and you will find that cash is king and bargaining is a way of life at these places. You will find beautiful wooden carvings, incredible beadwork, basketry and other traditional African crafts at these flea markets. If you have enough time a visit to the major shopping malls in Johannesburg or Pretoria is worth the time. Here you will find attractive shops of every description from fashion to leather to jewelry, silver & glassware. As in the United States the malls contain people buying, browsing, eating and drinking and just friends generally hanging out there. Hides are available almost everywhere, but you should exercise care with your purchases. Make sure that you purchase from a dealer who can provide you with a "vet certificate" - the proof that the hide has been treated in such a way that it is not carrying any potentially dangerous biological material. Ivory may not be imported unless you have a certificate that shows it is 100 years old. We are only including one (1) curio store and one (1) flea market here as we have current pictures of them.

J & B CURIOS & GIFTS

Located in Thabazimbi

Curio stores are cheaper than the malls and you will find the products offered there of higher quality than in the flea markets. They will pack your purchases well for your trip home. Also you have the assurance that the goods purchased there are legal and you will be provided with any required certificates. If you go there with your wife, exercise care as in the back of the store is their jewelry store. If you look closely at the pictures above you will be able to see some of the products that they have available. If you take the trip to Marakele National Park, we will stop here for your shopping pleasure.

FLEA MARKET

at HARTEBEESPOORT DAM

Located less than an hours drive from Johannesburg is Hartebeespoort and the dam on the Crocodile River. My favorite spot here is the flea market. Here you will find carvings of stone or wood, masks, woven mats and baskets, hides and feathers and assorted wall hangings. Some of the wares here are cheaply made, however there are also works of real craftsmen and artists. Here the locals sell all types of curios and some fantastic bargains can be obtained, but be prepared to barter. This can sometimes be a very frustrating process. It is akin to the open markets in Mexico. They all say that they have the lowest prices and will give you a great bargain. I usually figure that ½ of their original stated price is what you can get the item for. Chances are if you give them your final price and they say no, just walk away and they probably will come after you and accept your price. If they don't you went to cheap for them that day, but remember there are others there selling the same things. Have fun!!

HARTEBEESPOORT DAM is an approximate 2 hour drive from our Base Camp. Therefore this is considered a "day trip" and the Side Trip Daily Rates will apply.

Johannesburg

Grocery Store in Ellisras