Must-see shopping in East Africa

  • Bold

    Kampala

    A team of local designers produces contemporary styles and accessories using African fabrics and designs.

  • Aman

    Lamu Island

    High-end fashion and accessories by Kenyan designers. You can also get your garments tailored to order.

  • Def.i.ni.tion

    Kampala

    Cool local label selling hip, vibrant accessories, fabrics, designer T-shirts and clothing.

  • Zinj

    Lamu Island

    Leather belts with colourful Maasai bead embroidery, plus beautiful leather handbags.

  • Rift

    Lamu Island

    Beautiful handmade leather bags, wallets and belts.

  • Bean vendor at Nakasero Market.

    Nakasero Market

    Kampala

    The partially covered and hectic Nakasero Market near the junction of Kampala and Entebbe Rds, is all about fresh food.

  • Surti & Sons

    Zanzibar Town

    For decades, Parvin Surti and his family have been shoeing Zanzibaris in beautiful, durable leather sandals (US$25 to US$35) in a range of understated…

  • Oyster Bay Shopping Centre

    Dar es Salaam

    Set around a garden courtyard, this small shopping centre is the beating heart of upmarket Oyster Bay. Here you'll find an organic grocer as well as some…

  • Owino Market

    Kampala

    Sprawling around Nakivubo Stadium, Owino has everything from traditional medicines to televisions. It’s most famous for its secondhand clothing, but you…

  • Kilombero Market

    Arusha

    Arusha's largest market is a sprawling, jostling mass of humanity simply going about its business. Watch out for the handcarts filled with wares – they'll…

  • Central Market

    Arusha

    The chaotic Central Market (aka Soko Kuu: ‘Big Market’) in the heart of the city is worth an hour or two of strolling time. While you might see a few…

  • Uganda Crafts 2000

    Kampala

    A small fair-trade craft shop selling charming locally produced souvenirs and trinkets; 90% of the wares are Ugandan, made by widows and disadvantaged…

  • 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…

  • Nafisa Store

    Malindi

    Look no further for pieces of Africana, vintage furnishings, lanterns, soapstone carvings, antiques and – let's be honest – plain old junk. This is…

  • African Heritage Design Company

    Nairobi

    With various outlets around town, including this one out in Karen, the African Heritage Design Company has a classy range of statues, ceramics and…

  • Exposure Africa

    Kampala

    The largest of the city’s craft ‘villages’, stocking woodcarvings, drums, sandals, batiks, basketry, beaded jewellery and 'muzungu' T-shirts. Some items…

  • Sea Cliff Village

    Dar es Salaam

    An upmarket shopping mall set around a garden courtyard. There are several restaurants, a supermarket, a children’s play area and a selection of shops,…

  • Nakumatt

    Kampala

    Good all-round shopping centre, here you'll find anything from food supplies to camping equipment including tents. There's another at Oasis Mall.

  • Kase

    Arusha

    Your best bet for national-park books and maps. If the Boma Rd shop doesn't have what you want, try the other branch around the corner.

  • Craft Africa

    Kampala

    Making up one half of Kampala's main craft complex (along with Exposure Africa), this place has an excellent choice of Ugandan and Kenyan crafts and…

  • Mnazi Moja Textile Vendors

    Dar es Salaam

    For kangas (printed cotton wraparounds worn by many Tanzanian women) and other colourful textiles, try the vendors and wholesale shops in the Mnazi Moja…

  • Garden City Complex

    Kampala

    Garden City Complex has several floors of shops, including a supermarket, a bookshop and a department store, plus a cinema, a bowling alley and a food…

  • Gerald’s Antiques

    Kampala

    Gerald's has stamps and money from the past and present (including notes with Idi Amin’s face), plus tribal artefacts that may or may not be old.

  • U-Turn

    Mwanza

    One of Mwanza's best-stocked supermarkets, U-Turn also has many small gift items, such as teas, canned coffee and so on that make good souvenirs.

  • Green Room

    Dar es Salaam

    A great place for unusual souvenirs, where high-quality giftware, home furnishings, jewellery and artworks are made from upcycled materials.

  • Renzioni

    Kampala

    Set up by designer Okoronkwo Lawrence, Renzioni incorporates vibrant African prints into women's and men's clothing, shoes and accessories.

  • 2 Degrees South

    Lamu Island

    Affordable souvenirs such as simple carved boxes, beaded sandals, brighly patterned clothes and purses made from recycled materials.

  • Game

    Kampala

    A great place to buy all your camping needs, including tents (two person from USh120,000), sleeping bags, chairs and ice coolers.

  • Sanaa Gallery

    Mombasa

    A good place to check out traditional furniture-making, or if you're looking for an attractive yet bulky souvenir to ship home.

  • Kase

    Arusha

    This excellent bookshop has another branch around the corner on Boma Rd.

  • Acacia Mall

    Kampala

    A modern shopping centre good for designer clothing, with a few eateries and a 3D cinema.

  • Oasis Mall

    Kampala

    Handy shopping centre to stock up on provisions, with restaurants, shops and a cinema.

  • Nakumatt

    Kampala

    This all-round shopping centre is handy for food supplies and even camping equipment.

  • Shopper’s Plaza

    Dar es Salaam

    This shopping centre has a large supermarket plus many other shops.

  • Atul’s

    Nairobi

    Hires out everything from sleeping bags to folding toilet seats.

  • Gallery Bookshop

    Zanzibar Town

    A large selection of books and maps, including travel guides.

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