Must-see shopping in Botswana

  • Lentswe-la-Oodi Weavers

    Botswana

    The village of Oodi is best known for the acclaimed Lentswe-la-Oodi Weavers, a cooperative established in 1973 to provide an economic base for women from…

  • Kalahari Quilts

    Gaborone

    These stunning quilts are made by Batswana women, overseen by the engaging Jenny Healy, and are a unique craft to take home. Each one bears an individual…

  • Gantsi Craft

    Botswana

    This cooperative was established in 1983 as a craft outlet and training centre for the San. It’s an excellent place to shop for traditional San crafts,…

  • Botswanacraft

    Gaborone

    Botswana’s largest and best craft emporium sells traditional souvenirs, including pottery from Gabane and Thamaga, San jewellery and baskets from across…

  • Pelegano Village

    Botswana

    Pelegano Village, established in 1982, is a wonderful artisan complex that offers local crafts such as hand-fired ceramics and wine bottles recycled into…

  • African Arts & Images

    Maun

    Next to the Bushman Craft Shop on the road near the airport terminal, this upmarket shop has an impressive range of books about Botswana and high-quality…

  • Exclusive Books

    Gaborone

    Easily Gaborone’s best bookshop, this large outpost of a respected South African chain has literature, nonfiction and travel books, with excellent…

  • Botswelelo Centre

    Botswana

    Thamaga is home to the Botswelelo Centre, which is also known as Thamaga Pottery. This nonprofit community project was started by missionaries in the…

  • Shorobe Baskets Cooperative

    Okavango Delta

    This cooperative draws together around 70 local women who produce Ngamiland-style baskets with beautiful and elaborate patterns. It’s right next to the…

  • Chobe Women’s Arts & Crafts

    Kasane

    This NGO-backed store sells locally woven baskets made by the women of the region. The women are often present, and are happy to demonstrate their weaving…

  • Bushman Craft Shop

    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…

  • Thapong Visual Arts Centre

    Gaborone

    A small gallery of modern and contemporary local work that should be a first stop for anyone interested in buying art that goes beyond the usual African…

  • Riverwalk Mall

    Gaborone

    Perhaps the best of Gaborone's Western-style malls, with a good range of restaurants and shops, including Exclusive Books.

  • African Easel Art Gallery

    Kasane

    An upmarket gallery exhibiting purchasable work by artists from Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as woodcarvings from around the continent.

  • Botswana Book Centre

    Gaborone

    You wouldn’t cross town for it, and like the Mall it inhabits it has a neglected air, but this bookshop is worth dropping into for its excellent range of…

  • Kingfisher Trading Co

    Kasane

    A simple shop selling African curios at fixed (though reasonable) prices, as well as fishing gear and a small selection of wildlife books.

  • African Mall

    Gaborone

    One of numerous Western-style shopping malls scattered around the suburbs of Gabs.

  • Nswazwi Mall

    Botswana

    One of Francistown's larger shopping malls.

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