Zanzibar Town
Amazing multicoloured toys and sculptures created from broken flip-flops (thongs) collected from dumps and (most importantly) beaches.
Must-see shopping in East Africa
Lamu Island
Kenyan-made clothing, from T-shirts by 4Shore to colourful shirts by Duka, plus clever gifts made of baobab seed pods by Seedling.
Kampala
A guy with a great selection of Congolese carvings lays out his wares at this upmarket complex of patisseries and wine shops.
Zanzibar Town
Ready-to-wear and custom-made dresses and skirts from kanga fabric (the colourful wraps worn by women all over East Africa).
Lamu Island
Handmade kikois (woven cloths) made by Leah herself (from KSh600), plus a selection of handbags and beaded sandals.
Moshi
Better than the ordinary craft shops, and with fixed prices. Also stocks a small selection of national-park maps and books.
Nairobi
If you're looking for books on Kenya and Africa in the downtown area, this small bookshop is a terrific resource.
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam’s best bookshop, with classics, modern fiction, travel guides, Africa titles, maps and more.
Kampala
A team of local designers produces contemporary styles and accessories using African fabrics and designs.
Lamu Island
High-end fashion and accessories by Kenyan designers. You can also get your garments tailored to order.
Kampala
Cool local label selling hip, vibrant accessories, fabrics, designer T-shirts and clothing.
Lamu Island
Leather belts with colourful Maasai bead embroidery, plus beautiful leather handbags.
Kampala
The partially covered and hectic Nakasero Market near the junction of Kampala and Entebbe Rds, is all about fresh food.
Zanzibar Town
For decades, Parvin Surti and his family have been shoeing Zanzibaris in beautiful, durable leather sandals (US$25 to US$35) in a range of understated…
Dar es Salaam
Set around a garden courtyard, this small shopping centre is the beating heart of upmarket Oyster Bay. Here you'll find an organic grocer as well as some…
Kampala
Sprawling around Nakivubo Stadium, Owino has everything from traditional medicines to televisions. It’s most famous for its secondhand clothing, but you…
Arusha
Arusha's largest market is a sprawling, jostling mass of humanity simply going about its business. Watch out for the handcarts filled with wares – they'll…
Arusha
The chaotic Central Market (aka Soko Kuu: ‘Big Market’) in the heart of the city is worth an hour or two of strolling time. While you might see a few…
Kampala
A small fair-trade craft shop selling charming locally produced souvenirs and trinkets; 90% of the wares are Ugandan, made by widows and disadvantaged…
Central Tanzania
You can't miss the city's high-energy street market, where you'll be assailed by vendors selling phone chargers, plastic shoes and clothing. There are a…
Malindi Handicrafts Cooperative
Malindi
This community project employs local artisans and the woodcarvings are of high quality. To get there, turn off the main road to Mombasa near the BP petrol…
Malindi
Look no further for pieces of Africana, vintage furnishings, lanterns, soapstone carvings, antiques and – let's be honest – plain old junk. This is…
African Heritage Design Company
Nairobi
With various outlets around town, including this one out in Karen, the African Heritage Design Company has a classy range of statues, ceramics and…
Kampala
The largest of the city’s craft ‘villages’, stocking woodcarvings, drums, sandals, batiks, basketry, beaded jewellery and 'muzungu' T-shirts. Some items…
Dar es Salaam
An upmarket shopping mall set around a garden courtyard. There are several restaurants, a supermarket, a children’s play area and a selection of shops,…
Nanyuki
The equator just wouldn’t be the same without the 30 or so shops that cluster around its sign. Each shop owner takes a turn at being the first to approach…
Kampala
Good all-round shopping centre, here you'll find anything from food supplies to camping equipment including tents. There's another at Oasis Mall.
Arusha
Your best bet for national-park books and maps. If the Boma Rd shop doesn't have what you want, try the other branch around the corner.
Nanyuki
This new mall has a variety of restaurants, clothing stores and a good grocery store. There is also a small casino upstairs, if you want to try and win…
Kampala
Making up one half of Kampala's main craft complex (along with Exposure Africa), this place has an excellent choice of Ugandan and Kenyan crafts and…
Dar es Salaam
For kangas (printed cotton wraparounds worn by many Tanzanian women) and other colourful textiles, try the vendors and wholesale shops in the Mnazi Moja…
Kampala
Garden City Complex has several floors of shops, including a supermarket, a bookshop and a department store, plus a cinema, a bowling alley and a food…
Kampala
Gerald's has stamps and money from the past and present (including notes with Idi Amin’s face), plus tribal artefacts that may or may not be old.
Mwanza
One of Mwanza's best-stocked supermarkets, U-Turn also has many small gift items, such as teas, canned coffee and so on that make good souvenirs.
Dar es Salaam
A great place for unusual souvenirs, where high-quality giftware, home furnishings, jewellery and artworks are made from upcycled materials.
Kampala
Set up by designer Okoronkwo Lawrence, Renzioni incorporates vibrant African prints into women's and men's clothing, shoes and accessories.
