Must-see shopping in Tanzania

  • Cultural Arts Centre Zanzibar

    Zanzibar Town

    Organised by the dedicated Hamad and other local artists, with an emphasis on quality and distinctiveness, this arts centre and shop provide a refreshing…

  • Shanga

    Arusha

    What started as a small enterprise making beaded necklaces has branched into furniture, paper, clothing and many other products, mostly using recycled…

  • Wonder Workshop

    Dar es Salaam

    At this excellent workshop, artists with disabilities create world-class jewellery, sculptures, candles, stationery and other crafts from old glass, metal…

  • Boma

    Southern Highlands

    The craft store at the Boma museum has a terrific selection of gifts and crafts, with a specialism in quality handwoven fabrics. This is the place to buy…

  • Schwari

    Arusha

    Quality handicrafts and classy homewares, children's toys and national-park maps – Schwari has picked the best of local crafts to create a fine collection…

  • Maasai Honey

    Northern Tanzania

    This wonderful community-run concern has taken the local tradition of bee-keeping and transformed it into an income-generating project. It's been so…

  • Tingatinga Centre

    Dar es Salaam

    This excellent centre is at the spot where Edward Saidi Tingatinga originally marketed his designs, and it’s still one of the best places to buy…

  • Moto & Dada Shop

    Zanzibar Town

    This shop sells products from Moto, a Zanzibar-wide handicraft cooperative that supports the island's rural economy by selling bags, sun hats, baskets,…

  • Jenga

    Zanzibar Island

    Jenga is a social enterprise offering Zanzibari entrepreneurs a platform (both online and in-store) from which to sell handmade products. And what…

  • Upendo Means Love

    Zanzibar Town

    This multifaith community project builds bridges between Zanzibar's minority Christians and the largely Muslim population through its sewing school and…

  • Zenji Boutique

    Zanzibar Town

    A well-curated showcase of eclectic Zanzibari and Tanzanian crafts displayed with details of their provenance and production. Kit yourself out with…

  • Fahari

    Zanzibar Town

    Shop and social enterprise Fahari combines traditional Zanzibari skills with the cutting-edge expertise of accessories designer Julie Lawrence to produce…

  • Sasik

    Zanzibar Town

    The cushions, coverlets and throws in Sasik are the work of self-taught Saada Abdullah Suleiman and her team of over 45 Zanzibari women. Their intricate…

  • Doreen Mashika

    Zanzibar Town

    For Zanzibari high fashion head to this store on Hurumzi St. Trained in Switzerland, Doreen has a signature style that effortlessly combines African…

  • Zanzibar Curio Shop

    Zanzibar Town

    The phrase 'Aladdin's Cave' can be overused, but not here. Step inside for floor-to-ceiling displays of gifts and souvenirs, and browse with no pressure…

  • Bead by Bead

    Northern Tanzania

    Run by the local Maasai Women's Bead Co-op, this is the pick of the roadside souvenir shops that you find in this corner of the country. It all revolves…

  • Kariakoo Market

    Dar es Salaam

    Dar es Salaam's biggest and busiest market occupies several city blocks and the former barracks of the British Carrier Corp. It heaves with people morning…

  • Cultural Heritage

    Arusha

    The large and unmissable Cultural Heritage craft mall on the western edge of Arusha has all the usual souvenirs as well as some less common items…

  • Memories of Zanzibar

    Zanzibar Town

    This place calls itself an emporium, and it does indeed have a massive range of souvenirs: carvings, clothing, books, ornaments, furnishings, jewellery,…

  • Moshi Mamas

    Moshi

    A local craft cooperative run by, as the name suggests, a handful of friendly local mamas, this place sells beadwork, kitenge cloth and a small collection…

  • African Movement Art and Crafts

    Southern Highlands

    One of a cluster of brightly painted and appealing local businesses, this store sells souvenirs with soul: bright fabric earrings made by the owner,…

  • Mt Meru Curios & Crafts Market

    Arusha

    Souvenirs (and a few high-quality items) are here at Mt Meru Curios & Crafts Market, often incorrectly called the Maasai Market. Hard bargaining is…

  • Mwenge Carvers’ Market

    Dar es Salaam

    This market is packed with vendors, and you can watch woodcarvers at work. Take the Mwenge dalla-dalla from New Posta transport stand to the end of the…

  • Hellen's Shop

    Zanzibar Town

    The friendly Hellen has her shop slightly off the main track, down near the Africa House Hotel. Come here to buy kangas, clothing, basketware, postcards…

  • Jamaliyah

    Arusha

    This original little Aladdin's cave of a place makes and sells picture frames made of dhow wood. Step inside and start fossicking or talk with the…

  • Coins Shop

    Zanzibar Town

    Intricate and original pendants and other jewellery handmade from coins. Ready-to-wear or custom-made, modern or historic, African or international – the…

  • Real Art

    Zanzibar Town

    As the name implies, a gallery of good-quality paintings and sculpture. A sign outside declares 'All our artists are featured in contemporary art books'.

  • Tanzanite Experience

    Arusha

    One of many shops selling tanzanite; this one has set up a little museum about the rare gem, which is mined almost exclusively in the Kilimanjaro area.

  • Zanzibar Gallery

    Zanzibar Town

    This long-standing gallery has a huge collection of souvenirs, textiles, woodcarvings, antiques, contemporary art, framed photographs and more.

  • Slipway

    Dar es Salaam

    This waterfront shopping centre features upmarket boutiques plus a craft market, eateries, an ice-cream parlour and fine sunset views.

  • Flip Flop Recycling

    Zanzibar Town

    Amazing multicoloured toys and sculptures created from broken flip-flops (thongs) collected from dumps and (most importantly) beaches.

  • Kihanga

    Zanzibar Town

    Ready-to-wear and custom-made dresses and skirts from kanga fabric (the colourful wraps worn by women all over East Africa).

  • I Curio

    Moshi

    Better than the ordinary craft shops, and with fixed prices. Also stocks a small selection of national-park maps and books.

  • A Novel Idea

    Dar es Salaam

    Dar es Salaam’s best bookshop, with classics, modern fiction, travel guides, Africa titles, maps and more.

  • Surti & Sons

    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…

  • Oyster Bay Shopping Centre

    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…

  • Kilombero Market

    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…

  • Central Market

    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…

  • Majengo Market

    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…

  • Sea Cliff Village

    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,…

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