Malindi
This boutique take on a souvenir shop sells some beautiful carved calabashes, bowls, carvings from West Africa and Zanzibar, masks and jewellery. Smaller…
Must-see shopping in Africa
Réunion
Isabelle Biton specialises in porcelain painting. She paints Réunion-inspired designs (Creole cases, people, fruits, flowers and chameleons) on plates,…
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…
Cairo
Delightful intricately embroidered accessories, on cotton and linen, all made in different regions in Egypt. Look out for the beautiful fabric dolls, too,…
Victoria Falls (town)
This store sells stuff from all over Zimbabwe and Africa. Here you can pick up knitted Zulu dolls, masks from the Democratic Republic of Congo, or wall…
Réunion
This market has a mishmash of items for sale, including Malagasy wooden handicrafts, fragrant spices, woven baskets, embroidery, T-shirts, furniture and a…
Swakopmund
This local carpet factory produces original and beautiful African rugs, carpets and wall hangings in karakul wool and offers tours of the spinning, dyeing…
Mauritius
Moleskine notebooks, Lamy pens, a decent selection of fiction in English and French, and a few books on Mauritius – this Mauritian chain has the best…
Village Artisanal Soumbédioune
Dakar
Although it lacks the energy of other markets, this is a good place to browse for souvenirs of all kinds, including wooden masks, paintings, jewellery,…
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…
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…
Accra
There's plenty to browse through here if you're looking for a souvenir, including handcrafted furniture, jewellery, textiles and clothing from around…
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…
Tafraoute
Amazigh (Berber) handiwork and local souvenirs at reasonable prices. Hours are sporadic, but adjacent shopkeepers usually phone owner Houssine Laroussi if…
Imlil
This small shop carries an impressive variety of trekking and climbing equipment, including hard-to-find butane canisters for camping stoves and a small…
Addis Ababa
Stocking local, naturally produced honeys with not a chemical in sight, this place is as good for your breakfast as it is for an unusual but authentically…
Conakry
Chaotic, colourful, smelly, fascinating and filthy dirty, the Marché du Niger is the city's most important market and a fun place to explore – just watch…
Cape Town
If you're after something art nouveau, art deco or of 20th-century design, then this expertly curated dealer is the place to head. Their displays are like…
Grand Baie
All-natural, 100% cotton, 100% made in Mauritius – what's not to like about this fine shop a block back from the water. It's an all-white look – perfect…
Dakar
The spacious Cocktail du Sénégal has a good selection of clothes, both for children and adults, along with a great variety of original gifts, souvenirs…
Luxor
A new shop a short walk from the west bank ferry landing selling a selection of original and beautifully designed objects, from pottery, wood and…
Rwanda
Large handicraft shop selling local products, including woodcarvings, jewellery and basketware, and other souvenir-worthy items. Opening hours are a…
Johannesburg
If you’re after serious retail therapy, head to this interlocking series of upmarket malls. Central parking is available on the corner of Cradock Ave and…
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.
Cape Town
Colour-coordinated items pack this emporium of all things African, tribal and crafty. They support local artists, who sell some of their beadwork and…
Eastern Cape
Just off the main road, the market showcases the products and projects of the local community, including craftwork, clothing, crystals and the odd bio…
Cairo
In business since 1948, the Atlas family specialises in silk moiré kaftans and slippers. You can also order the fabric by the yard, or in custom-tailored…
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…
Tetouan
This government-sponsored emporium is a hive of activity, with carpet weavers, leatherworkers, jewellers and woodworkers all plying their trades. Prices…
Cairo
A little treasure trove with original gifts made in Egypt, great cotton clothing, funky bags and accessories, and wonderful Egyptian-cotton bed linen by…
Port Louis
The country's best bookshop sells a broad range of English, French and Creole titles, including guidebooks, maps and an excellent range of books about…
Western Desert
Hany has just about the only crafts shop left in these oases. He sells goat-wool, hand-knitted sweaters and socks, rag rugs, pottery and jewellery, all…
Gaborone
Perhaps the best of Gaborone's Western-style malls, with a good range of restaurants and shops, including Exclusive Books.
Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts
A good place to pick up sculptures, batiks and souvenirs is this shaded open-air market on the main road. You can watch the carvers and craft makers in…
Mauritius
Beauté de Chine, one of the longest-running stores on the island, sells an assortment of old-world relics including copper, jade, silk and antique…
Distillerie du Maïdo – Chez Nanou Le Savoyard
Réunion
Here you can stock up on essential oils, perfumes, soaps and other natural health products. Also sells rhum arrangé (flavoured rum), honey and jam.
Essaouira
At his bijoux store, Stefano from Naples handcrafts one-of-a-kind pieces of jewellery from silver and natural stones, including pearl, topaz and turquoise.
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'.
Cairo
Well made and locally designed, these separates for women in wool, silk and cotton are reasonably priced and often feature subtle Middle Eastern details.
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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