Kampala
Selling gorgeous women's kitenge dresses in traditional patterns, separates, children's clothing and some batik pillows, this fair-trade boutique is a…
Must-see shopping in East Africa
Nairobi
Some of Kenya's more creative artists, photographers, leatherworkers and other high-quality artisans and artists have come together under one roof – the…
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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…
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Nairobi
Utamaduni is a large crafts emporium and easily one of the best places to souvenir shop in Nairobi, with more than a dozen shops selling all kinds of…
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Arusha
What started as a small enterprise making beaded necklaces has branched into furniture, paper, clothing and many other products, mostly using recycled…
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Dar es Salaam
At this excellent workshop, artists with disabilities create world-class jewellery, sculptures, candles, stationery and other crafts from old glass, metal…
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Nairobi
More than 600 wildlife bronzes by Denis Mathews (from jewellery and small lion-cub-footprint dishes to much larger pieces running into thousands of…
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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…
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Akamba Handicraft Industry Cooperative Society
Mombasa
This cooperative employs an incredible 10,000 people from the local area. It’s also a non-profit organisation that produces fine woodcarvings, from animal…
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Kilifi
Right next to the Wild Living Cafe on the southern outskirts of Kilifi, this excellent shop showcases the wares of four local, ecofriendly Fair Trade…
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Bombolulu Workshops & Cultural Centre
South Coast
This non-profit organisation produces crafts of a high standard and gives vocational training to physically disabled people. Visit the workshops and…
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Lamu Island
This upmarket gallery is the place to come if you're a serious Africana collector. There are pieces from all over the continent and beyond, from…
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Malindi
We really wish it were our shop, stocked as it is with cowrie-studded Congolese and West African carvings and masks to tempt collectors. Some great…
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Mombasa
A real treasure trove of carvings and masks, particularly from West Africa and the Congo, as well as fetishes, brass lanterns and other goodies. Some…
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Kilifi
This home-run design store of international reputation is located near the southern edge of Kilifi Creek. You'll find stylish leather bags adorned with…
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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…
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Jinja
Many of the colourful cotton textiles (place mats, table runners, bedspreads) for sale around Jinja are made on hand-operated looms at this Nile-side…
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Jinja
Young NYC fashionistas have partnered with local women to create well-made recycled bags and accessories in fun, bold designs. Items are fair-trade…
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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…
Nairobi
One of the city’s main souvenir businesses is concentrated in this covered market, which has dozens of stalls selling woodcarvings, drums, spears, shields…
Nairobi
This place collaborates with workshops and self-help groups around the country. It’s a bit like a handicrafts version of IKEA, with goods displayed the…
Nairobi
Amid the rather-less-altruistic commercialism of the Sarit Centre, Banana Box works in conjunction with community projects and refugee groups and offers…
Nairobi
On Fridays the popular Maasai craft market opens up here in the upper car park of Village Market.
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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,…
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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…
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Nairobi
Busy, popular Maasai markets move around the city according to the day of the week and are excellent shopping experiences. Sites change regularly. At the…
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Zanzibar Town
This multifaith community project builds bridges between Zanzibar's minority Christians and the largely Muslim population through its sewing school and…
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Zanzibar Town
A well-curated showcase of eclectic Zanzibari and Tanzanian crafts displayed with details of their provenance and production. Kit yourself out with…
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Zanzibar Town
Shop and social enterprise Fahari combines traditional Zanzibari skills with the cutting-edge expertise of accessories designer Julie Lawrence to produce…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Kigali
This association of more than 40 stalls has banded together to market itself as Caplaki, although each stall is an independent business. As you would…
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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…
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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…
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Zanzibar Town
This place calls itself an emporium, and it does indeed have a massive range of souvenirs: carvings, clothing, books, ornaments, furnishings, jewellery,…
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Kilifi
Stock up on baobab oil, moringa powder, charcoal briquettes for the barbecue and – why not? – hats made from soft Ugandan bark at this innovative eco-shop…
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Kampala
This is the best place for English-language publications, with a great selection of books on Uganda, as well as novels. Stock up before a long road trip…
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Lake Naivasha
This is the place to come for locally produced foods, from home-made jams and Longonot honey to delights such as chilli chocolate cashew butter. Although…
