The A to Z of Shopping

Insider tips from Zanzibar’s notorious shopping queens:

What to buy where  – and what to avoid

Where can I buy a nice pair of shoes? Reasonable antiques? Fluffy towels? Even just a decent bread knife? Shopping in Zanzibar – for essentials or that extra-bit of shopping bliss – comes with its challenges. Whether you are a newcomer to the island, or have been here a while: our A-Z guide is a helpful retail therapy and your compass for basics.

A

Antiques:

Some relics of Zanzibar’s plundered rich history still exist. Chests, Swahili beds, cupboards and tables; even the famous Zanzibari doors, which you cannot legally export but purchase for your Zanzibar property. Most antiques are (at best) 100-150 years old, hailing from Zanzibar’s golden era around 1880. Many antique dealers also reproduce traditional Swahili furniture – nothing bad about it, it’s keeping the craft alive. Among our favourites: the smallest antique shop in Stone Town, owned by Mohammed (Ph. 255 777 417658) on Changa Bazaar St in Hurumzi. In the tiny one-room store, he sells wall clocks, frames, furniture, all still at fair prices. As almost all antique dealers, Mo has an extra workshop outside town where customers can  explore. Abeid Curio Shop opposite the catholic St. Joseph’s Cathedral convinces with a great furniture collection, even old Frank Sinatra records; near him, visit Tamin for chests. Zanzibar Curio Shop on Gizenga Street is a must-see magic warehouse with thousands of masks, furniture pieces, lamps and antique deco – but be aware: in the hodgepodges of Zanzibar’s grandmasters of antiques, prices have gone through the roof over the years.

Art of a certain quality – beyond copy-and-paste lions – is rare. Out of town, Forster Gallery in Mbweni, offers the most impressive and sizeable collection of African contemporary art stunningly displayed in a modern villa. Book an appointment (Ph.  0628 785 198)

Good finds are also possible at Wasani Art Gallery next to Maru Maru Hotel, with a wide collection lovingly curated by Anita Sita, including original Tinga Tinga paintings and sculptures. Artist Bajuu has his own art gallery on Gizenga Street; well-known Dullah Wise exhibits at various places including the gallery at Emerson on Hurumzi hotel, always worth a visit.

B

Beauty products:

Forget about L’Oreal, Lancome and Chanel – or shop duty-free before arrival! – and turn local. There are many beautiful, hand-made natural cosmetics and herbal products to be discovered (see markets). Trusted brand No 1 is without doubt Inaya by Cheherazade Cheikh who has her own shop on Kenyatta Rd in Stone Town. Her organic line is found in practically every good hotel in Zanzibar, and one of our favourite souvenirs, too. Zuri Rituals on Kenyatta Road and at the airport departure lounge is another quality local brand for natural beauty.

Bedding & bathroom essentials Where do you usually discover the comfiest mattresses, whitest linen and best bathrobes? In top hotels! So, go no further than to one of Zanzibar’s leading hotel supply shops, Jad on Airport Road, for all of these and more (see household basics). Find cute bedding sets, soap spenders and more home accessories also at the tiny but always tempting I-Care, also on Airport Road opposite Mama Rahma hospital. For bathroom hardware, sinks and tiles head to ABC Ceramics in Mombasa – air-conditioned and spacy, they even understand the word warranty!

C

Cushions & Curtains:

Buying the typical patchwork-design cushions from Sasik, near Maru Maru hotel, you not only acquire beautiful home deco but support one of the oldest women co-operatives in Zanzibar. For curtains and upholstery, the unrivalled quality shop is Dolson Interiors with branches in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. With faultless made-to-measure products, inviting showrooms and reliable delivery, Dolson may well be one of the most satisfactory shopping experiences you’ll ever have in Zanzibar!

D

Décor:

Places to buy modern home accessories like candles and vases were practically non-existent in Zanzibar until recently. Luckily things are changing. Working with disabled employees, Neema Craft in Iringa produces cute lampshades and cushions that can be ordered online. Imara on Airport Road in Zanzibar is a new, tiny home décor heaven offering an inspiring choice from lemon-themed kitchen wall art to macrame cushions. Another favourite stop on Airport road is I-Care (see bedding) with many useful items that owner Fahud and his wife import from Ikea in Dubai – hence the word play I-Care.