Dar es Salaam Shopping – Shops, Stores, Best Buys & Insider Tips

Dar es Salaam Shopping

Shopping in a new destination is always a fun experience. Doing so in Dar es Salaam is one of the best ways to take in the culture and bring home a one-of-a-kind travel gift.

Fish Market

The Fish Market is one of the best shopping destinations in the entire region. While you can find plenty of fresh fish and other foods, you can also find a selection of interesting gifts and wares as well. If you love sea shells you can find those as well. It’s recommended to not buy the shells when you first walk in but wait until you move further into the Fish Market. The shells are less expensive further in. 

Slipway Mall

This is a small shopping complex that’s right along the waterside of Msasani. Independent vendors come out and will sell goods. This is one of those locations where it’s recommended to look over everything and then come back to one you like. Many of the vendors do sell similar merchandise, so knowing what everyone is selling can give you a bargaining chip (especially if you threaten a potential vendor that you’ll just go somewhere else to purchase something as they may be more likely to give you a better deal).

Remember to Bargan

Bargaining is a way of life here. You don’t just pay the quoted price. In fact, paying the quoted price may come off as an insult as you essentially are saying you don’t want to work with the vendor. So whenever someone quotes you a price, always go down by half and then work your way to a price from there.

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Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about Dar es Salaam shopping.