Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
As if a thousand mad aunts have combined their prized china collections, this emporium – occupying a maze of rooms – offers all manner of plates, cups,…
Must-see shopping in Southern Africa
Cape Town
Celebrating individual style, this groovy boutique in the bowels of Cavendish Square mall stocks creative local fashion and accessories, as well as fun…
Malawi
The Craft Coffee Shop sells craftwork, woodcarvings, honey and soap made locally, as well as cups of the potent coffee grown nearby and processed in Mzuzu.
House of Woven Art & Clarens Gallery
Free State
There are some lovely works of art in here that combine bright watercolours to accentuate the earth, sky and trees. It also sells imported rugs and woven…
Johannesburg
Held on Saturday mornings around the Market Theatre, there’s a lively, cheerful atmosphere here. Although many stalls sell flea-market rubbish, there are…
Cape Town
A handy, well-stocked mall covering all the bases, with good cafes, bookshops, Pick n Pay and Woolworths supermarkets, a travel agency and a Cape Union…
Cape Town
Worth a browse is this bookshop specialising in art, design and pop culture titles. You can also find many locally published magazines and books, as well…
Swakopmund
Swakopmund's artisans and souvenir sellers have gathered together here all in the one place. It's worth a wander, although the quality varies, and there…
Cape Town
Bargain hunters converge on the scores of outlet and factory shops here, which sell everything from trainers and T-shirts to watches and luggage, with…
Lugro Ostrich Leather Products
Route 62
Lugro is independent of local ranches, so offers a shopping experience that avoids the tacky tourist vibe that can accompany the search for ostrich goods…
Durban
Large shopping centre with an attractive glass-and-steel dome design. Located on the city’s outskirts in Westville, just a 10km drive from the centre on…
Western Cape
Drop by this women's empowerment project to watch the ladies in action creating adorable knitted bunnies and elephants, crocheted blankets and colourful…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
This nationwide boutique is good spot for picking up quirky, affordable T-shirts, fun casual gear and bags by South African designers. It also stocks…
Lesotho
A modern mall with a Pick n Pay supermarket, chain restaurants, numerous services and retailers. Pick n Pay and some of the restaurants have longer hours…
Harare
A popular shopping complex frequented by well-to-do locals. It has decent restaurants, cafes, a cinema and pubs. A flea market is held here on Sundays…
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
A basic shop where you can find firewood, canned goods, cool drinks, some outdoor gear and curios. There are also two ATMs, one inside and one outside.
Malawi
If you need to repair your vehicle, the many shopkeepers at this well-stocked Hardware Market can sell you all manner of parts and recommend mechanics.
Victoria Falls (town)
Look out for the craft stalls located along Adam Stander Dr, where you can pick up quality Shona sculpture and pieces made from recycled materials.
Pretoria
This market is full of stalls selling all kinds of organic food, from cheeses to cakes to preserves. Come early because it’s all sold out by 9am.
Vaughan Johnson’s Wine & Cigar Shop
Green Point & Waterfront
Sells many South African wines of repute (plus a few more from other countries); unlike most wine sellers in town, it’s also open on Sundays.
Malawi
The gift shop at the Kungoni centre sells all manner of woodcarvings and Big Five–themed souvenirs.
Kasane
A simple shop selling African curios at fixed (though reasonable) prices, as well as fishing gear and a small selection of wildlife books.
Plettenberg Bay
For a bit of retail therapy, head for this complex 3km east of town, with resident artists, a weaving museum, antiques and a restaurant.
Lusaka
Stocks a good selection of Zambia-specific non-fiction and cultural books, as well as fiction, international magazines and newspapers.
Cape Town
An old Huguenot house makes a suitably salubrious venue for investing in some of South Africa’s mineral wealth, in wearable form.
Lilongwe
Services at this arcade include banks, currency exchange, shops and Crossroads Hotel.
Cape Town
This attractive range of designer cotton children’s clothing has grown from a stall on Greenmarket Sq to a major brand.
Johannesburg
This excellent bookshop deals in books on African literature, history, politics and art and has an African music section.
Maputo
Diagonally opposite the South African High Commission, with a small selection of English-language books and magazines.
Northern Mozambique
Held in the town's large stadium, this market is a good place for crafts. Go early, before things get hot and crowded.
North West Province
Rustenburg's main shopping mall, off Rte 24 around 3km south of the centre, is a safe and relaxing place for shopping.
Cape Town
Features women’s clothes, made from linen, cotton and cashmere by Jenny le Roux, that are classical and practical.
Windhoek
Cape Union Mart, an outpost of the South African chain, has camping, hiking, cycling and vehicle-outfitting gear.
Lilongwe
A collection of buildings off Independence Dr containing shops, travel agents, restaurants, a bank and more.
Stellenbosch
This open-air market is a great place to haggle for African carvings, paintings and costume jewellery.
Pretoria
This place peddles the usual flea-market paraphernalia, and has some handmade African crafts.
Victoria Falls (town)
A small complex of vendors selling Shona sculpture, handicrafts and other local souvenirs.
Lilongwe
Prints photos, takes passport-sized pics, and sells phones, batteries and cameras.
