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.

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Electronics & entertainment:

The best shops are Tronics in Mlandege and Biggie at Michenzani mall, both customer-friendly with Tronics specialised on lamps, lanterns, plugs and bulbs; Biggie offering a wide electronic array from laptops and TV’s to I-phones, as does Muzammil in Darajani (see Household Appliances).

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Fashion:

The most Zanzibari fashion item you can get is a simple kanga, a pareo-like fabric. The best selection, at original prices, can be found at Chavda  on Tharia St in Darajani near Coffee House (have a coffee break at this delightful place while you are there).

Doreen Mashika is fashion royalty, an internationally acclaimed, local designer with sophisticated dresses, unique t-shirts, jewellery and lots more, the DM boutique is located opposite Park Hyatt. – Farouk is an internationally known designer with a unique take on traditional pieces, based at Emerson Hurumzi Hotel. –  Wonders Boutique of Italian fashion entrepreneur Francesca Scalfari offers local designers and the bohemian collection of Tipsy Gipsy, a brand from Dubai. And: never miss a market to discover local fashion and start-ups (see markets).

Furniture. Hard to come by until a few years ago, the choice of modern, locally-made beds, sofas, dining sets and outdoor furniture has expanded considerably. The unmatched queen of hand-made, stylish, top-notch furniture, even catalogued as a collection, remains Green Room at Slipway in Dar es Salaam – everything from queen-size rattan beds to sleek dhow-wood side-boards can get shipped by ferry to Zanzibar. Owner Elmarie van Heerden has single-handedly built up the beautiful business with local craftsmen since 2010. – Hot on her heels is Rocky Furniture, a new company with a slightly more rustic touch and showrooms in Mpendae Mall in Zanzibar. Ndevu Furniture in Fumba is a good new addition with a production on demand and imports. Zanzibar company Scanza has a solid reputation for fine handmade furniture from coconut and other wood, especially built-in-kitchens. – If velvety sofas and glass tables are more your style, turn to Orca Design in Dar es Salam with a warehouse-size selection of furniture and home accessories.

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Glasses (drinking):

Quality wine and other glasses are as rare as a night without mosquitoes in Zanzibar; there’s a reason why Karen Blixen shipped her crystal to Africa! You might get lucky in second-hand mitumba shops and at Darajani and Mlandege street vendors. Apply shopping rule No 1 (see sidebar “Shopping wisdom”) and buy immediately once you spot something nice. Chako in Stone Town offers a neat,  original recycled glass collection; six-pack glasses for daily use you’ll find at Jad or in supermarkets.

Glasses (reading): Try the Aga Khan dispensary.

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Hardware:

Browsing through the jungle of hardware stores in Mlandege has become a real hobby for some expats. From hammers to paints, from plumbing supplies to toilet seats – they’ve got it all, but not always in good quality. Lots of it comes from China, bought today, broken tomorrow. Apply shopping rule No 5: once you have found a trader you can trust, stick to him.

Household appliances & TVs Muzammil, a Zanzibar classic in the midst of Darajani, has a decent selection of fridges, cookers, washing machines, TVs and smaller electrical appliances. Then there’s the Mlandege lot: The smaller of two Hisense is a sympathetic enterprise with washing machines and fridges, and friendly service. Electronic Hub, next door offers a rich selection but poor service (like extra charge for credit cards).

Household basics This is the fun part, your license for serious, city-wide browsing. Begin with the street kiosks on Mlandege Rd/ corner Malindi Rd for everything from tableware, kitchen utensils to drying racks, ironing boards and storage boxes. Continue to Little More in Michenzani Mall for mugs and plates, lastly to Mpandae Mall. If you still have not found your mug, you can’t be helped! Looking for a quality bread knife or top cooking pots, visit hotel supply shops such as Jad and Hotel Solutions on Malawi Rd.

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Incense Nag Champa has been the most popular with Indians residents for years (and they know what they are doing); get it at the nameless cigarette kiosk on the far left opposite Maru Maru hotel.

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Kila kitu (Swahili for everything):

The little hardware shop of successful Vietnamese entrepreneur Kim Nguyen in the centre of the Paje strip next to her Hanoi House Cafe is indeed a treasure trove for almost everything.  From blue ceramics to soya sauce, tableware to strainers, to semi-crystal whiskey glasses – our editor has never left the shop without buying something.

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Lighting & Lamps:

Tronics in Mlandege is your one-stop choice (see electronics). For decorative big bulbs try Rocky Furniture. For sisal lampshades check Katani and other craft makers at markets (see below); for fabric lampshades Neema Craft; for recycled plastic lampshades (and more) Ozti in Mtoni.

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Markets:

The most entertaining option for most of your shopping needs are Zanzibar’s markets. The mother of all is the Kwetu Kwenu community market which was started in 2020 and draws a lovely crowd to Fumba Town every first Saturday of the month. Discover fresh farm products, unique fashion, green cosmetics, home and garden items and food delicacies. – Another popular market is held at New Teddys on the Beach in Jambiani every first Sunday of the month. Newcomer is Jambiani Bazaar – for dates check social media. The markets are Zanzibar’s talent shows; successful fashion brands such as Amina Pilar and Mubah Beach Wear, Fadhili Design; Eat Africa and Rocky Furniture have started and still sell here.

Mattresses Among the many find the good! The best you can get are pocket-spring and foam mattresses from Dolson Interiors, comparable to superior US hotel standards. Not quite the same quality but similar products imported from China get at Jad.