The best fashion and gift stores Tanzania

Timetable

Shops are open from 9am to 6pm every day in towns and villages, with some opening a little later in the more commercial streets of the centre, to catch tourists returning from excursions and looking to buy souvenirs.

Budget & Tips

Made-to-measure. The shops selling clothes made of wax, kangas and kitengés are all made to measure. That is to say that if you see a fabric that you like, but you prefer the cut of another dress and in another size, everything is possible, just ask! Tailors are happy to make dresses and outfits to order. You can even bring your own fabric that you have found at the market.

Sales

There are no sales in Tanzania in souvenir shops or for tourists, except perhaps just before the rainy season, do not hesitate to negotiate in this case but nothing official.

What's very local

The markets are a treasure trove of things to find, starting with fabrics, wax, kanga and kitengé, which are inevitably cheaper than in souvenir stores. You'll often be asked to pay the right price, as the market is not in a tourist area and haggling is less the order of the day. On the other hand, you'll be quoted prices if you buy several pieces. Highly recommended if you want to buy kikois, the colorful cotton pareos made here.

Haggling. Souvenir store vendors expect you to haggle. Everything is negotiable. Don't buy at the first price offered. When Tanzanians see a tourist coming, they often double or triple the price. After negotiation, it is possible to reduce the price by 30-50% depending on the situation. In mid-range hotels, room rates can be discussed, especially if you're staying for a while. As soon as you're not in a store where prices are written down, everything can be haggled over. But if you try too hard, the salesperson won't let you go. A strategy that always works: pretend to leave. You'll usually end up with a good price.