Shopping in Tanzania
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Abbas Ally’s Hot Bread Shop
Abbas Ally’s Hot Bread Shop is situated opposite Aleem’s Grocery.
reviewed
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Aleem’s Grocery
For self-catering, try Aleem’s Grocery.
reviewed
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Our Heritage
Carvings, beadwork and other crafts; next to the Coffee Shop.
reviewed
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Mwenge Carvers’ Market
This market, opposite the Village Museum, and just off New Bagamoyo Rd, is packed with vendors, and you can watch carvers at work. Take the Mwenge dalla-dalla from New Posta transport stand to the end of the route, from where it’s five minutes on foot down the small street to the left.
reviewed
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Surveys and Mapping Division’s Map Sales Office
The Surveys and Mapping Division’s Map Sales Office, sells dated topographical maps (1:50,000) for mainland Tanzania, although individual sheets covering popular areas are often out of stock. Topographical maps for Zanzibar and Pemba are available in Stone Town.
reviewed
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Craft Shop
The Craft Shop with mostly carvings, and the large and unmissable Cultural Heritage is 12km west of town. Quality and selection here are good, although intermediaries get a fairly large cut of the (high) purchase prices.
reviewed
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A
Rafiki Women’s Centre
This unsigned place diagonally opposite Precision Air has a small but good array of crafts from Tanzania and Kenya. On Sundays, staff set up a display of crafts inside the New Mwanza Hotel between 9am and 1pm.
reviewed
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B
Fish Market
For a gentle initiation into Dar es Salaam’s markets, head to the fish market, near Kivukoni Front. It’s fairly calm as urban markets go, and you can watch fish auctions.
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C
Msasani Slipway Weekend Craft Market
Prices are slightly higher here than elsewhere in town, but quality is good and the atmosphere calm. In addition to crafts, there’s a large selection of Tingatinga-style paintings.
reviewed
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Tingatinga Centre
This centre is at the spot where Edward Saidi Tingatinga originally marketed his designs, and it’s still one of the best places to buy Tingatinga paintings and watch the artists at work.
reviewed
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D
Mnazi Mmoja
For kangas (printed cotton wraparounds worn by many Tanzanian women) and other textiles, try the vendors and wholesale shops at Mnazi Mmoja.
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E
Kariakoo Market
The huge, sprawling Kariakoo Market is Tanzania’s largest; don’t bring valuables and watch out for pickpockets.
reviewed
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Out of Africa
For last-minute craft shopping, Out of Africa and several other shops in the airport departure lounge have good selections.
reviewed
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Ngaramtoni Market
A colourful local-produce market is the Ngaramtoni Market, on Thursday and Sunday, 12km west of town, which draws Maasai from miles around.
reviewed
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Cultural Heritage
Large and unmissable. Quality and selection here are good, although middlemen get a fairly large cut of the (high) purchase prices.
reviewed
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Tahea Kili Crafts
Opposite the Coffee Shop, with batiks, basketry, woodcarvings and more; a portion of profits goes to a local women’s group.
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F
Ilala Market
For excitement, get a reliable taxi driver or Tanzanian friend to take you to Ilala Market, near Shaurimoyo Rd.
reviewed
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Tengeru Market
The Tengeru Market takes place on Saturday, with a smaller market on Wednesday. It's 10km east of town along the Moshi road.
reviewed
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Shah Industries
Leatherwork and other crafts, many made by people with disabilities. It’s south of town over the railway tracks.
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G
Khalphan’s
For self-catering, there are several well-stocked shops near the market, including Khalpan's, opposite Precision Air.
reviewed
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H
Second-hand Bookstalls
Between Pamba Rd and Ohio St. A good bet for older books, especially on colonial-era history; bargaining is required.
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I
A Novel Idea
Dar es Salaam’s best bookshop, with classics, modern fiction, travel guides, Africa titles, maps and more.
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A Novel Idea, Sea Cliff Village
Dar es Salaam's best bookshop, with classics, modern fiction, travel guides, Africa titles, maps and more.
reviewed
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J
Aminata Boutique
Aminata Boutique, in the covered entry passage to Arusha Naaz Hotel, has textiles.
reviewed
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Imagination Computer Centre
A recommended computer shop in Dar es Salaam is Imagination Computer Centre.
reviewed