Choosing gifts for wildlife and safari lovers can be a very difficult task. When most safari lovers want nothing more than actually being on safari (which would be a very generous gift!), how do you choose what to buy them?
Well, never fear! With this holiday gift guide for safari lovers, we share our favourite home accessories, wall art, jewellery and more to help you bring the safari to them. No matter what your budget or their tastes, there are plenty of wildlife gift ideas here for you to choose from.
1. African Prints
Wall art of any kind can make a wonderful memento from time spent in Africa. Etsy has tons to choose from, but this South Africa print is a beautiful style with neutral colours that would fit most households. This is the perfect gift for giraffe lovers and anyone who has been to South Africa on safari.
Check the latest prices and buy from Etsy right now.
2. Outdoor Art
Remember, art isn’t just for the inside of the home! Give the gift of an African garden with this beautifully rustic gate sign in the shape of a lion’s head. It’s available in different sizes to suit most garden gates, fences or wherever else you want to put it!
Check the latest prices and buy from Etsy.
3. Tealight Holder
One of the most budget-friendly gift ideas on this list, a tealight holder with a safari silhouette is a great reminder of the beautiful African sunsets. Again, available in lots of different designs and colours, with personalisation available too, you can give this candle holder a special meaning with your own message.
Check out the latest prices and buy from Etsy.
4. Giraffe Pendant
If you’re buying for someone who loves jewellery, how about a pendant shaped like their favourite safari animal? This giraffe necklace is made from sterling silver or 24-carat gold plate to suit their style, but there are plenty of other designs and styles available on Etsy. Take a look through the whole collection!
Check the latest prices and buy from Etsy.
5. Leopard Print Blanket
If you’re looking for a Christmas or holiday gift for your safari-loving friend, a blanket is perfect for those cold, wintry nights in the lounge or around the campfire outside! This pure wool blanket is as cosy as it is beautiful and comes in a variety of different colours and designs, either leopard or giraffe print. If either of these doesn’t take your fancy, take a look at the huge range of other styles available on Etsy.
Check the latest prices and buy on Etsy.
6. Travel Map
Help your loved one keep track of their travels by gifting a world travel map to hang on their wall. This one is completely personalisable, in terms of size, colour and framing options. You can even include a personal message so they know it’s completely unique to them! The continents on the map are illustrated with the landmarks and animals you’ll find there, as another wonderful memory from their safaris and wildlife holidays.
Check the latest prices and buy on Etsy.
7. Faux Fur Christmas Decorations
Though the animal lover you’re buying for may have already put up their Christmas tree by the time they unwrap this gift, they’re sure to love these animal-shaped decorations! It would make a wonderful reminder, each and every year, they unbox these ornaments to hang on the tree. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Check the latest prices and buy on Etsy.
8. Indoor Wall Art Set
These geometric design wooden animal heads would make a wonderful addition to any safari lover’s home. Available in a variety of designs and colours, your loved one can simply hang it on a blank wall to create a real talking point and a reminder of their time spent in Africa. Much better than a moose head!
Check the latest prices and buy on Etsy.
9. Giraffe Tee
If the person you’re buying for likes to display their love for wildlife in their clothing, what better than this uniquely designed giraffe t-shirt? Available in a variety of colours, styles and sizes, you’re sure to find one they’ll love!
Check the latest prices and buy on Etsy.
10. Elephant Coat Rack
For a more practical gift for the home, how about this beautiful coat rack? The elephant’s tusks and trunks make an ideal hook to store your loved one’s coats, scarves and other accessories. Check out the full range of safari-themed home accessories available on Etsy.
Check the latest prices and buy on Etsy.
11. Elephant Stud Earrings
These adorable elephant earrings make a wonderful gift for any animal lover. Made from sterling silver and plated with Rhodium, they’re anti-tarnish and hypoallergenic, so your friend won’t have any problems with these studs. Not quite their style? There are plenty of other earring designs over on Etsy.
Check out the latest prices and buy on Etsy.
12. Safari Print Doorstop
Your friend will love this safari print doorstop as a beautiful and practical addition to their home. Weighing in at 1.5kg, it’s heavy enough to keep even the heaviest of doors open or closed from draughts. There are also plenty of other doorstops available on Etsy if you’re after more of a novelty gift. How about this Zebra shaped one, or this elephant?
Have a look at the full range to see the latest prices on Etsy.
13. Safari Print Cushion Covers
These adorable cushion covers made in a safari print by Sophie Allport are a beautiful yet understated way to bring the safari into an animal lover’s home. Available in a range of different shapes, sizes and styles, you’re bound to find something your loved one will treasure forever. How cute are the ones with a pom pom trim?
Check out the latest prices and buy on Etsy.
14. Binoculars
Binoculars are a must-have when packing for a safari, so a good-quality pair makes a wonderful gift for safari enthusiasts. It’s like giving the gift of seeing animals close-up! There are plenty of different brands, types and focal ranges to suit all budgets and tastes, but you can browse the full range of available gadgets at Amazon.
15. Safari Duffel Bag
Another gift idea for the animal lover that has everything, why not treat them to a brand new duffel bag to take with them on safari? Make their next trip a breeze with a soft-sided safari duffel bag that can be easily squeezed into the tiny luggage holds of bush planes, or a modern backpack with wheels to make their luggage even easier to carry.
Check out the full range at Craghoppers or The Safari Store to see my favourites.
16. Safari Book
If the person you’re buying for loves reading, why not pick them out a new book to read on safari? There’s nothing quite like relaxing on the verandah outside your safari tent or lodge, reading a book that you can really bring to life with the sights and smells around you. My favourites include ‘A Year in the Wild’ by James Hendry and ‘Whatever you do, don’t run!’ by Peter Allison. Browse the full range at Amazon, or find out what my other favourites are over on my dedicated post about safari books.
17. Animal Adoption
What do you buy for someone who has everything? Help them give back by adopting an animal on their behalf through WWF in the UK and the US, Born Free or the David Sheldrick Trust. The money raised through adoptions goes to protecting habitats, educating local communities and training rangers to protect the animals most in need. Adoptions often treat the recipient with regular updates and a soft toy, so it makes a wonderful gift too.
18. Soft Toy
If you’re buying for a child or the young at heart, why not choose a handmade soft toy to keep them company? Our favourite is this crochet lion, with a squidgy belly and super soft tale and mane. Etsy sells lots of different designs, styles and sizes to choose from, you’re bound to find a cuddly creature they’ll love.
Check out the latest prices and buy on Etsy.
19. Leopard Print Dress
Are you buying for someone who loves fashion? Perhaps this dress with an all-over leopard print will take their fancy. Available in a choice of white and black, the dress is made from cotton and has adjustable straps and an elasticated back for a super comfy fit.
Check out the latest prices and buy on Etsy.
20. Giraffe Flower Pot
This adorable flower pot in the shape of a giraffe makes a wonderful novelty gift for safari-goers or animal lovers. Standing 43cm tall, it’s a statement piece for any home and will brighten any corner with a medium or large houseplant. How about a palm or a fern to add to the jungle theme? Check out lots of different styles, sizes and shapes on Etsy.
Check out the latest prices and buy from Etsy.
21. Safari Coasters
Another practical gift for a safari lover’s home is this gorgeous set of four coasters with a zebra print and image on them. They’re handmade from natural stone and decoupage, so each coaster set and even individual coaster is completely unique for a very bespoke gift.
Check out the latest prices and buy from Etsy.
22. Experiences
If your loved one is heading out on safari soon, why not complement their holiday with a new experience or day trip while they’re there? For example, if they’re going to the Masai Mara in Kenya on safari, treat them to a day trip to explore the best of Nairobi on their way home, or animal lovers heading to South Africa might also enjoy a guided tour of Cape Town once they’ve had their wildlife fill.
There are lots to choose from on GetYourGuide, so check there first!
23. Safari Metal Candle Display
For a decorative gift with real wow factor, how about this beautiful candle display? With space for six tealights, when lit, this display creates a stunning silhouette of an African sunset with all your favourite safari animals. If this one doesn’t take your fancy, there are plenty of other styles and designs you might prefer. Browse Etsy for the full range.
Check out the latest prices and buy from Etsy.
24. Plant a Tree
A wonderful gift to buy anyone is a contribution to reforestation projects or a tree to plant in their garden. What better way to give back to the wonderful world that allows us to go on safari than new growth? Plenty of tree planting schemes are available, including Tree Aid, Treedom and One Tree Planted, but have a think about your loved one’s favourite destination and find one that works there. There might be a forest in Kenya you could contribute to or a rewilding project in Costa Rica that suits them better. Either way, planting a tree makes the perfect gift for everyone.
25. Rhino Water Glass
If you’re still looking for the perfect gift for a safari lover, we think you’ve just found it! These drinking glasses are finished with an adorable animal figurine fixed on the bottom. Take your pick from a rhino, lion, giraffe, hippo, crocodile, elephant or bear, but when they’re all as cute as each other, you’ll have a hard time choosing!
Check the latest prices and buy on Etsy.
26. Safari Mug
Your friend is already thinking about it, so why not buy them a mug that says “I may look like I’m listening but in my head, I’m on safari”? It makes an ideal mug for the office or the home, to bring back wonderful memories of their time in Africa, and with the option of adding a custom message to the other side, they’ll know exactly who it’s from!
Check the latest prices and buy from Etsy.
27. Keychain
If you’re looking for a gift on a budget, this keychain may be exactly what you’re looking for. Personalisable with an initial and a birthstone in addition to the adorable hippo charm, this keychain can be completely unique to the lucky person you’re buying for. If hippos aren’t their style, Etsy has plenty of other animals for you to choose from, including sloths, giraffes, monkeys and more.
Check the latest prices and purchase from Etsy.
28. Safari Luggage Tag
They’ll know exactly which one is their bag on the luggage carousel when you buy them this beautiful wooden luggage tag. With a safari motif, a plane cut out and space on the back to add personalisation, the tag is finished with a genuine leather strap and makes a wonderful gift for any safari-lover or travel addict.
Check the latest prices and purchase on Etsy.
29. Travel Journal
Help your loved one remember the best parts of their safari holiday with this choice of beautiful travel journals with safari animal sketches on the front. They’re A5 and handmade with lined paper for that traditional notebook style. For an extra special touch, the makers can personalise the journals with a vinyl message, title or name on the front so your loved one knows it’s just for them. Choose your favourite on Etsy.
Check the latest prices and purchase on Etsy.
30. Carbon Offsetting
For the eco-conscious gift recipient, why not carbon offset their latest trip or their next safari? If you’re new to the concept, carbon offsetting works by calculating how many tonnes of CO2 you would have emitted through a flight or day-to-day life, and then paying to have the equivalent amount restored through projects such as reforestation, clean drinking water and the development of renewable energy sources. Lots of carbon offsetting schemes exist, but some of our favourite include is Sustainable Travel International. Why not head there first?
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So there you have it! The best choice of gifts to buy safari-lovers for Christmas, a birthday or any other special occasion. Have fun choosing!
