Harare
A few kilometres east of town, Doon Estate is known for its galleries, cafes and souvenir shops. Sadly these days it's a shadow of its former self (many…
Must-see shopping in Southern Africa
Pemba
Even if you don’t think you want to buy crafts, it’s worth stopping in at the excellent Artes Maconde at Avani Pemba Beach Hotel. It sells a wide range of…
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…
Zambia
This enterprise employs a team of local artists to produce, among other things, bags, wall hangings, bed linens and sarongs, much of which are sold abroad…
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,…
Johannesburg
An independently owned, mostly African literature bookstore, Bridge Books has become a literary meeting place for Jo'burg's top local authors. The books…
Swakopmund
This worthy project supports local artisans and unemployed people by providing a shopfront for their work. The quality is high and the overall message,…
Gaborone
Botswana’s largest and best craft emporium sells traditional souvenirs, including pottery from Gabane and Thamaga, San jewellery and baskets from across…
Lesotho
Next to a primary school near the Blue Mountain Inn, you can see the painstaking tapestry-making process at Setsoto Design. The project employs more than…
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…
Windhoek
This hive of tourist shopping euphoria contains a heap of small and large shops with a range of African arts and crafts on offer. A couple of our…
Victoria Falls (town)
This upmarket showroom stocks handmade individual pieces, including silver bracelets, rings and necklaces, made at its on-site studio. They also sell…
Johannesburg
Krag Drag, which means 'the Strong One' in Afrikaans, is easily the best place in Jo'burg to shop for locally made gifts. Cleverly designed T-shirts,…
Malawi
This long-running bookshop on two levels has an excellent selection of Africana, ranging from dusty old tomes to coffee-table books, and from novels and…
Malawi
Situated in Mandala House, the oldest colonial dame in the city, this eclectic gallery features vividly coloured, contemporary work by local artists, as…
Harare
Set in a homely showroom on a residential property, this Dutch-owned shop has an attractive range of furniture, art, hand-painted porcelain and Shona…
Harare
Part of the Doon Estate complex, Chapungu has long been one of Harare's best places for Shona sculpture – one of the best things to buy in Zimbabwe. It…
Livingstone
A social enterprise founded by two Norwegian girls, Wayawaya sells quality, contemporary handmade bags put together by local women. Its principles are…
Victoria Falls (town)
South African body-care brand Matsimela has set up shop here with an enticing aroma of natural scented soaps, body scrubs and bath bombs (anything from…
Victoria Falls (town)
This quality gallery, run by two friendly brothers, represents more than 40 local artists, most notably it has original pieces by Dominic Benhura,…
Swakopmund
This place is an Ali Baba’s cave of treasures, specialising in colonial relics, historic literature, West African art, politically incorrect German…
Blue Bird Garage Food & Goods Market
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
This hip, artisan food-and-goods market is located in a 1940s hangar, once the base for the southern hemisphere's first airmail delivery service, and then…
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…
The Elephant Coast
Sells a large range of Zulu handicrafts, plus there’s a museum and a local, slightly contrived ‘village’. It's a good place to pick up souvenirs and worth…
Gaborone
Easily Gaborone’s best bookshop, this large outpost of a respected South African chain has literature, nonfiction and travel books, with excellent…
Swakopmund
Swakopmund's best bookshop, with German- and English-language books. It's great for guides and maps, and esoteric works on art and local history are also…
Harare
One of Harare's best spots for crafts, hand-painted ceramics and original paintings by local artists, plus cool clothes and Zimbabwean publications.
Johannesburg
Part of a burgeoning African literature scene in Jo'burg, African Flavour Books offers an extensive selection of fiction and non-fiction by Africans and…
Johannesburg
Smack in the middle of downtown Jo'burg, August House is notable for both its location and its incredible selection of high-end South African art. Home to…
Johannesburg
A haven for chocolate-lovers, Chocoloza produces handmade chocolates that are melt-in-your-mouth heaven. From zesty ginger, honey and lime to decadent…
Johannesburg
Once you've got over the panoramic views from this 5th-floor gallery's windows your eyes will pop at the diversity of creative works on display in this…
Johannesburg
Arts and crafts are on offer here, but the main attraction is the splendid organic produce. There are five cafes as well and often live music.
Johannesburg
If you're not around for the Rosebank Sunday Market then this basement arcade is packed to the ceiling with stalls selling very similar if not identical…
Cape Town
The full range of Heather Moore's designs, printed on cotton and cotton-linen mix, are on view here, made up into cushions, table runners, lamp shades,…
Johannesburg
A treasure trove of pan-African arts, crafts and interior design pieces, Amatuli is the place to head if you're looking for anything from a Zulu headdress…
Free State
This wonderful and expansive bookstore lives in a Victorian home dating to 1881, which a previous owner lovingly restored. (In the 90s, the place received…
Limpopo
Located on the outskirts of Acornhoek township, the Mapusha Weaving Cooperative was established in 1973 to give unemployed women a craft and an income…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
Pick up items ranging from contemporary African craftwork to fashion at this buzzing indoor market, where 45 shops mix with 25 food stands and a fresh…
Windhoek
The throbbing heart of the Windhoek shopping district is the bizarrely colourful Post St Mall, an elevated pedestrian walkway lined with vendors selling…
Cape Town
Swing by this converted warehouse complex even if you're not in the market for a custom-built bike. They also sell fashionable, locally made biking tops,…
