Lilongwe
An oasis of fine dining and upmarket shopping, featuring clothing and design boutiques, a bar, a restaurant and a cafe, Four Seasons is a restful one-stop…
Must-see shopping in Zambia, Malawi & Mozambique
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…
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…
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…
Livingstone
A social enterprise founded by two Norwegian girls, Wayawaya sells quality, contemporary handmade bags put together by local women. Its principles are…
Malawi
In this thatched workshop, single mothers and orphans handcraft a range of items using locally sourced materials, reflecting Likoma's colours and culture…
Pemba
Pemba's most interesting market is in the Natite neighbourhood near where Avenida Marginal meets Avenida Eduardo Mondlane. It's a large, sprawling affair…
Lusaka
For those with a love of secondhand clothes shopping, absolutely don't miss this market in downtown Lusaka. Known locally as the salaula trade (a local…
Zambia
Mulberry Mongoose sells vibrant, funky jewellery made by local designers, but is best known for items made from snare wire recovered during anti-poaching…
Lusaka
For high-quality leather goods, especially purses, travel bags and accessories, head to this spot, which shares an idyllic location with a highly…
Lusaka
A popular shopping stop for tourists, this open-air market comprises thatch-roofed huts and stalls selling carvings, baskets, masks, drums, fabrics and…
Lusaka
This weekly market, held in the car park at the Arcades Shopping Centre, features Lusaka’s best range of handicrafts, especially wood carvings, curios…
Zambia
A visit here is well worth your time. Proceeds from sales of expertly made basketry and woodcarvings – at low prices – are ploughed back into the local…
Malawi
Buy your souvenirs – including woodcarvings, mobiles, jewellery, baskets, soft toys, books, CDs, local coffee and even beaded crocodiles – in a hassle…
Lilongwe
At these stalls outside the Old Town post office, vendors sell everything from trinket woodcarvings, basketware and jewellery to traditional Malawian…
Southern Mozambique
This place sells an appealing selection of reasonably priced handicrafts, 95% of which are made from reclaimed or recycled materials. It's on the beach…
Northern Mozambique
The place to buy Makonde crafts – primarily the legendary woodcarvings – plus you can see the craftspeople at work. It's located in an open compound…
Lilongwe
Selling a range of recycled mahogany and glass artworks, stylish natural-coloured linen chemises, bespoke jewellery, hand-woven throws, bags, pashminas…
Lilongwe
The best mall around for shops, supermarkets, fast-food joints, banks and other services, with a central location in Old Town. It also has branches of the…
Malawi
For high-end craft hunters, this cavernous boutique is a good bet for everything from beadwork to bags.
Northern Mozambique
A community-run shop-cafe selling Ibo coffee, shawls, handmade baskets and locally made silver jewellery. If you're hot and hungry, cake, empanadas and…
Malawi
There are good craft stalls under an awning next to the salmon-coloured Malawi Savings Bank building. The work on sale is excellent and browsing is…
Zambia
Along Mfuwe's main strip is this craft shop selling handmade items made by local women, including bags, fabrics, lithographs print cards to items using…
Lilongwe
This small mall off Paul Kagame Rd has a couple of bookshops and craft stores as well as Mamma Mia restaurant. Chic and quiet.
Lusaka
A good store for all your last-minute safari needs, including GPS units, tents, camping equipment, sleeping bags and khaki clothing.
Malawi
A wide selection of fiction, kids' illustrated books, potboilers, biographies, guidebooks, maps and international magazines.
Lilongwe
Has a small selection of English-language novels, pictorial travel books and some very nice prints of Malawi for keepsakes.
Lilongwe
Excellent secondhand bookshop with a wide range of novels, guidebooks, children's books and more. It also has a small cafe.
Maputo
A good place to buy capulanas (sarongs). It’s opposite the Municipal Market. There are many tailors nearby.
Livingstone
The craft stalls in the southern corner of Mukuni park are a pleasant, and hassle-free place to browse for souvenirs.
Northern Mozambique
A great spot to examine and buy local Makonde woodcarvings as well as locally made basketry, shawls and cosmetics.
Malawi
Senga Bay has a few strips of craft stalls, but the longest is a few kilometres out of town on the Salima road.
Malawi
With a few design shops and an excellent bookshop, Uta Waleza is a good place to buy presents and souvenirs.
Lilongwe
Excellent for sculpture, woodcarvings, sarongs, cards and jewellery, as well as T-shirts and bags.
Feira de Artesanato, Flôres e Gastronomia de Maputo
Maputo
Batiks, woodcarvings and other crafts at stalls spread throughout the Parque dos Continuadores.
Lilongwe
Pleasant boutique selling vivid African paintings, masks, bags and jewellery by local artists.
Malawi
Has a pharmacy, an electronics retailer, a gift shop, a stationery store, a bookshop and branches of Game and Shoprite supermarkets.
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.
