Nairobi
Some of Kenya's more creative artists, photographers, leatherworkers and other high-quality artisans and artists have come together under one roof – the…
Must-see shopping in Kenya
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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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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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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…
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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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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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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Nairobi
Apart from a small and largely unimaginative collection of curios, Kenya's museum shop has one of the country's best selections of books about Kenya and…
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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…
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Lake Naivasha
You'll be welcomed by Obadiah and other male potters at this simple, friendly workshop. Watch the spinning kiln and browse the small store, where there's…
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Lamu Island
This is a good place to shop for prints and paintings, handbags made from recycled materials, woven sisal bags and small Kenyan masks. The ebony…
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Lake Naivasha
This tiny cooperative turns out beautiful rugs, throws and bags, and does a nice line in wooden souvenirs – including cute salt and pepper pots. Most…
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Nairobi
This small flea market at the K1 Klub House is a terrific way to spend a morning. The shopping experience is limited to a few stalls, but the brunch is…
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Lamu Island
Some beautiful, high-end masks from Central and West Africa of interest to serious collectors, plus more affordable items such as beautiful cutlery,…
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Mombasa
Fair trade woven items, bags, embroidered cushions, soft toys and other appealing gifts, created by a collective of over 50 men and women from Mtepeni…
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South Coast
Run by the Mombasa Girl Guides Association, this centre provides training for handicapped young women and sells their crafts for them. Pick up some decent…
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Mombasa
You're likely to see these attractive leather sandals with beading embroidery all over Kenya. Watch them being made at this cobblers shop and buy them for…
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Malindi
The main thing here is an extensive collection of antique silver jewellery from Lamu. Dig around, and you can also pick up some antique compasses and…
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Malindi
This boutique take on a souvenir shop sells some beautiful carved calabashes, bowls, carvings from West Africa and Zanzibar, masks and jewellery. Smaller…
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Lamu Island
The most charismatic of the local silversmiths is a chap called Slim, whose silversmith shop sells beautiful rings created from ancient cuttings of…
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Old Town Antiques and Carvings
Mombasa
Good selection of collectors' items – Central and West African masks and carvings – as well as numerous Kenyan small carvings of animals.
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Lamu Island
Kenyan-made clothing, from T-shirts by 4Shore to colourful shirts by Duka, plus clever gifts made of baobab seed pods by Seedling.
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Lamu Island
Handmade kikois (woven cloths) made by Leah herself (from KSh600), plus a selection of handbags and beaded sandals.
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Nairobi
If you're looking for books on Kenya and Africa in the downtown area, this small bookshop is a terrific resource.
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Lamu Island
High-end fashion and accessories by Kenyan designers. You can also get your garments tailored to order.
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Lamu Island
Leather belts with colourful Maasai bead embroidery, plus beautiful leather handbags.
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Malindi Handicrafts Cooperative
Malindi
This community project employs local artisans and the woodcarvings are of high quality. To get there, turn off the main road to Mombasa near the BP petrol…
