Welcome to Dar Es Salaam, one of the largest crossroads of East Africa! Thousands visitors pass by this city every day, for tourism sometimes, but much more often for business and trade.
Someone says that Dar Es Salaam is not really a place for tourists. Actually it might be difficult to find something interesting to do, if you don’t know where to go and what to look for. But when you get to know the city a little bit, suddenly everything starts being lively and interesting.
Because it is historically important for trade and commerce, Dar Es Salaam is definetly a good place for shopping as well. Whether you are looking for traditional art & craft, fabrics, or fancy import goods, you will find a good choice if you find the right shops.
Today we’re trying to give you some hints to go straight to the “bazaars” you’re looking for. Let’s go!
Local art & craft
Carving sculptures, beads jewelry, sandals and slipperies… these are amazingly creative artifacts that you can find in the craft markets of Dar Es Salaam. The most famous is the Mwenge Carvers’ Market, where you can visit many different workshops and bargain for a big shopping at a very good price. If you feel more comfortable to buy in a more “controlled” and quiet environment, you can find quite the same in the craft market inside the Slipway area.
Tinga tinga paintings
These colorful and bright paitings are something very typical of this area. If you like a touch of eccentric color in your house, you might be interested in buying some of these arts. You can find a wide choice and different styles in Mwenge as well as in Slipway, but also in the alley off of Haille Selassie Road on the Peninsula, next to QBar.
Fabrics & textiles
We’re talking about kanga, kitenge and the amazing african prints. You can find something also in the carving markets, but these are not the best places for this type of shopping. A great choice of excellent quality fabrics can be found in local stores in Posta, especially in the area of Kitumbini Street. It is better to go there with a reliable local guide, as it is not easy to find the stores.
NGOs’ crafting cooperatives
There are many in town, small and bigger. Let’s just mention one of the most famous, where they sell something very special and unique: Wonder Workshop in Oysterbay. Here you will find creative arts, jewelry, accessories, candles, soaps and much more, made out of recycled materials. Artists and artisans are a group of disable people, making a great job in the cooperative. If you want, you can ask to visit the workshops, just next to the shop.
Imported goods
Of course, in Dar Es Salaam you can find international chains as well… but not exactly the ones you might expect! Many people here are literally crazy about South African brands: at Mlimani City Mall you will find Mr. Price (clothing, accessories, home tools) and Game (home and garden tools, electrical appliances) - but also, recently open, the Kenyan supermarket chain Nakumatt. Other shops selling international brands can be found at Viva Tower, ground floor, where you can also enjoy food, ice cream and a glass of good wine aside. But there is more, in Dar Es Salaam: in the last years many Middle Eastern chains opened shops in town. For fashion, shoes and accessories coming from Dubai and surroudings, you can pay a visit to Msasani Shopping Mall… you won’t be disappointed!
Electronic & appliances
For real geeks only. It can be an interesting experience to buy a phone and bargain the price in the small shops in Samora Avenue. But paying a little attention, you will find something interesting also in the shopping malls - such as very good and cheap African branded smartphones, that you can’t find anywhere else out of the continent.
Kariakoo Market
Most famous. This is the place where you can find everything - and we mean it! It is not easy to go around Kariakoo and it’s not easy to find where good shops are. If you want to pay a visit, ask a reliable local guide to escort and help you to find what you’re looking for. Remember to leave your valubles at the hotel, take a big breath… and dive into the market’s crowd. That will be a unique experience, if you like this kind of explorations.
The big map of Shopping in Dar Es Salaam!
View Shopping in Dar Es Salaam in a larger map
