Tanzania is the place for some rare and unique items that can only be found in this East African country. Places like Zanzibar, Arusha, and Dar es Salaam are full of curio shops, bazaars, and local markets, painting shops, restaurants, and more. Every year arts and culture festivals are organized to show African products to the rest of the world. Lively cities like Dar es Salaam are known for their elegant shopping malls, as well as the local markets. Shopping in Tanzania is an incredible activity that allows you to get to know the culture and lifestyle of Africa.
Best Places For Shopping In Tanzania
Here is a list of the places. Which one do you visit first?
1. Tanzanite
Tanzanite is a blue-violet semi-stone that can only be found in Tanzania. Shopping in Arusha, Tanzania will never be complete without picking up this blue diamond from a reputable jeweler who issues an internationally recognized gemstone certificate. The Tanzanite Experience is organizing a visual tour to experience the processes of extracting, grinding, polishing, and grading this rare gem, and there are shops to purchase a certified gem.
Location: Blue Plaza, Arusha, Tanzania
What to buy: Tanzanite jewelry
2. Tingatinga Arts Cooperative Society
Tinga Paintings are an art form founded in 1968 by Edward Tingatinga. These paintings show the fauna of the Serengeti in striking colors, making them the perfect keepsake for children in Tanzania. Edward Tingatinga’s family founded the Tingatinga Cooperative Arts Society to help painters of this wonderful art earn a living. The club building also houses galleries and workshops.
Location: Oysterbay, Masaki, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
What to buy: Tinga Tinga paintings
3. Maasai Market Curios and Crafts
Tanzania Shopping begins with the products of the Maasai community, such as pearl jewelry, woven baskets, paintings, and the red plaid blankets. The fabric of the Maasai culture is bright with bold patterns that give a bag, cushion cover, or clothing, in general, a distinctive look. A place in Arusha called Maasai Market Curio and Crafts is a perfect one-stop shop for buying some Maasai souvenirs.
Location: Fire Road, Arusha, Tanzania
What to buy: Baskets, beaded jewelry, blankets, and fabric
4. Coffee plantations in Arusha
Coffee production plays an important role in the economy of this East African country, as it is the world’s largest coffee exporter. They are widely grown in the shade of banana crops on the slopes of Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Bourbon, Kent, and Blue Mountain are the most famous types of coffee to buy in Tanzania. Each plantation in the Arusha region offers a coffee bean processing tour and sells them. It’s a perfect family day out to get acquainted with rich African coffee while shopping in Tanzania.
Location: Arusha, Tanzania
What to buy: Blue Mountain, Kent, and Robusta coffee
5. Kizimbani and Kindaichi Spice Plantations
Zanzibar is often referred to as the island of spices. Spice plantations such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg can be seen all over Stone Town. The spice tour includes a meal at a local farm and ends with a visit to the Persian bathhouse or an evening on one of the beaches. The local souks of Stone Town are filled with the rich aroma and exciting flavors of spices. Cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, pepper, and lemongrass are the most famous things to buy in Tanzania.
Location: Local bazaars of Stone Town, Zanzibar
What to buy: Lemongrass, saffron, nutmeg, cloves, pepper, and cinnamon
6. Msasani City Mall for High-end Boutiques
Msasani City Mall was built with international quality standards for products and has the best clothing stores in Tanzania. It is the first branded shopping sector in Tanzania to revolutionize the retail experience. For fashion clothing and accessories for men, women, and children, the Msasani City Mall is the main shopping center in Dar es Salaam. On the top floor of the shopping center, there is a lounge with a terrace where you can enjoy a snack with views of the surroundings.
Location: Msasani city, near the American Embassy, Dar es Salaam
What to buy: Fashion clothing and footwear
7. Mwenge Woodcarvers Market
The Tanzania Shopping Guide is incomplete not to mention the exquisite wooden figures. The Mwenge Woodcarving Market in Dar es Salaam is a large cooperative that is home to 200 woodcarvers who specialize in Makonde carving in Africa. Unique products such as wooden masks, African drums, wooden sculptures, antiques, and other artifacts are sold here. It is advisable to browse all open-air booths before targeting an item. Workshops have been set up next to the stands where the men can be observed at work
Location: Sam Nujoma Road, Dar es Salaam
What to buy: Wooden masks, Makonde figurines, and African drums
8. Memories of Zanzibar
Zanzibar Souvenirs is the best shop for the best buys in Tanzania. At reasonable prices, this emporium has a selection of books, jewelry, clothing, furniture, and crafts. They even have an extensive collection of African music CDs in store. It is within walking distance of the main hotels in Stone Town. This two-story showroom is colorful and lively with happy staff. Local coffee and tea, spices, and other local snacks are sold here. All of East Africa can be experienced in this small town in Zanzibar.
Location: Kenyatta Road, Shangani, Stone Town, Zanzibar
What to buy: Music, books, and other artifacts
9. Fahari Zanzibar
Fahari Zanzibar is a retail store that manufactures and sells high-quality leather handbags, jewelry, and other accessories. All the products here are handcrafted from local materials such as wood, cow horn, oyster shells, sterling silver, etc. A local African print fabric called Kitenge is made here, the designs of which vary from season to season.
Location: Kenyatta road, Zanzibar
What to buy: Leather handbags and silver hoop earring
10. Shanga Shanga Cultural Tour
It is a foundation that was established as an income-generating initiative for the disabled in Tanzania. Visitors can stop by at any time and watch the artisans weave beautiful things out of glass and leaves. Visitors can try their hand at making pearl jewelry from recycled powdered glass beads. About 55 deaf and dumb people stay here and are employed. Aside from pearl jewelry, these creative personalities make silk, chiffon, and chiffon fabrics.
Location: Arusha Coffee Lodge, Arusha
What to buy: Glasswares, jewelry, colorful fabrics.
