Cape Town
With more than 400 shops, 50-odd restaurants, 18 cinema screens and 8000 parking bays, this faux palazzo is one of Africa's largest malls. Entertainment…
Must-see shopping in Africa
Rwanda
A great place to stock up on superb imigongo paintings (from RFr10,000). This cooperative lies a couple of kilometres west of Kirehe, near Gatore (there's…
Marrakesh
Swerve off Djemaa El Fna to this tiny souq dedicated to olives. Green olives, black olives, purple olives, and olives marinated in harissa (hot chilli…
Diego Suarez (Antsiranana)
You'll go in here for the chocolate, but then be tempted by the zebu-horn and shell jewellery, raffia bags, vanilla, shells and all sorts of gifts. It's…
Kisumu
Come past the huge Kibuye Market on any quiet weekday and you’ll find it as empty as a hyena’s heart, but visit on a Sunday and it transforms into a…
Mombasa
Fair trade woven items, bags, embroidered cushions, soft toys and other appealing gifts, created by a collective of over 50 men and women from Mtepeni…
Antananarivo
By far the best place to come for Madagascar’s funky T-shirts. You’ll find all the main brands here (Baobab, Carambole, Maki etc), and a large choice of…
Maun
Although it caters more to travellers who need a last-minute souvenir before catching a flight out of town, this small shop near the airport has a decent…
South Coast
Run by the Mombasa Girl Guides Association, this centre provides training for handicapped young women and sells their crafts for them. Pick up some decent…
Tunis
Secreted in a space off the stairway leading to Café Culturel El Ali, this shop sells ceramics, textiles, jewellery and other contemporary artisanal wares.
Harare
A small bookstore with a good collection of wildlife books, which are worth a look if you're going on safari. It also stocks a decent range of magazines…
Cape Town
Exhibition space for the nonprofit Association for Visual Arts (AVA), which shows some very interesting work by local artists. Pick up signed prints of…
Mombasa
You're likely to see these attractive leather sandals with beading embroidery all over Kenya. Watch them being made at this cobblers shop and buy them for…
Tiznit
Jewellery shops are found along Ave Sidi Abderhman, the main road through the medina. At the top, Trésor du Sud is not the cheapest, but the work is good…
Cape Town
Stocks the beautiful ostrich-eggshell-decorated accessories made by Avoova – each one is a unique piece. You’ll also find Masai beadwork from Kenya, and a…
Cape Town
If you’re interested in local ceramics, the date to mark in your diary is the twice-yearly Rondebosch Potters Market, held from 8am to 2pm on the second…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
The Southern Peninsula’s book lovers gather at this shop that's been dealing literature since 2006. Check the website for details of upcoming book…
Malindi
The main thing here is an extensive collection of antique silver jewellery from Lamu. Dig around, and you can also pick up some antique compasses and…
Cape Town
A tasteful selection of fashion, gifts and homewares from South African and international designers. The choices of products reflect the owners’ travels…
Southern Mozambique
This place sells an appealing selection of reasonably priced handicrafts, 95% of which are made from reclaimed or recycled materials. It's on the beach…
Antananarivo
A gorgeous boutique stocking high-end, well-finished Malagasy products such as raffia baskets and purses, silk scarves, jewellery, framed photographs and…
House of the Lalibela Artisans
Lalibela
Set up to help local artisans market their work, this modest collection has some textiles, basketry, figurines and paintings. You can sometimes see some…
Cape Town
Come here for locally made, top-quality leather and canvas bags, including backpacks, handbags and other fashion accessories.
Cape Town
Constantia's main shopping hub covers all the basics and more, with a couple of major supermarkets and many other stores, including an Exclusive Books…
Namibia
Take a stroll around this large market, which is one of Namibia's most sophisticated informal sales outlets. From July to September, don't miss the fresh…
Northern Mozambique
The place to buy Makonde crafts – primarily the legendary woodcarvings – plus you can see the craftspeople at work. It's located in an open compound…
Kampala
A sophisticated craft shop selling smart local items such as excellent batiks, and handmade stuff from all over Africa, including Congolese carvings, with…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
Austrian-born Gina Niederhumer is the crafter behind this small boutique packed with appealing items, from crocheted jewellery and organic gingerbread to…
Cape Town
This weekly takeaway food market is very popular with city office workers. It's held at the southern end of St Georges Mall and also includes a few craft…
Cape Town
Olive oil and other locally sourced organic ingredients are used for the high-quality bath, body and perfumery products, including scented candles,…
Cape Town
SMAC specialises in artworks from 1960 to the 1980s and occupies a series of roomy spaces in the Palms, where you'll find a few other, smaller art and…
Swakopmund
Baraka has a quirky portfolio that ranges from pith helmets and a handful of antique African maps to Tintin in the Congo clocks and modern versions of…
Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts
A delightful bookshop that stocks a good selection of West African titles, plus fiction and children's books. You'll also find a selection of African…
Dire Dawa
You can buy fresh, export-quality Ethiopian coffee at this well-stocked shop on the main drag in Megala. It sells 1kg (Birr90) and 500g (Birr46) packets…
Lilongwe
Selling a range of recycled mahogany and glass artworks, stylish natural-coloured linen chemises, bespoke jewellery, hand-woven throws, bags, pashminas…
Harar
One step inside and the swoon-inducing scents will have you hooked. It sells 1kg and 500g packets of excellent whole and ground beans, and you can watch…
Cairo
One of the best dealers in belly-dancing outfits in the city. Look for the entrance at the end of a short lane just off the main street, and walk…
Conakry
This dark, covered market is a confusing warren of passageways and stalls piled high in fish, fruit, junk and even a few natural medicines, talismans and…
Diego Suarez (Antsiranana)
Indigenous essential oils and health-related products such as noni juice and aromatherapy goodies fill the shelves here, along with local spices. The…
Cape Town
Extraordinary repurposed furniture and lighting by Katie Thompson – think suitcases turned into chairs, crockery as lamp stands, and fridge magnets made…
