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The average Kenyan has opinion that all whites are loaded with the money, having it much more then really needing. They are convinced that white tourist should share some money with them, wheter buying something or just giving money on request. Some of them could really exaggerate with the prices, in particularly if estimating that tourist just arrived and have no idea about the prices. In such a cases some knowledge of swahili could be very helpfull; "wapenzi" is for expensive while "ghalli" for too expensive. The best is telling them ghalli no matter what price they asking.
What to buy: Usual local craftwerk, the best is if buying it in the villages, when exploring around.
What to pay: Kenyans aren't very skillfull traders, not in a way Arabs or Indians are. Most of them starts with very arrogant price demands, no matter if selling goods or offering services. If you found something very attractive, never showing too much interest for it, just let them know that it might your target. They must sell their goods while you could pick from whom to buy, and thats your advantage. You must cut drastically the first asked price and never be too sentimental about it. If they asked 1.000 and you finally paid 200, it is always big question wheter it was a good trade for you.
Updated Aug 27, 2011
THE BEST VALUED SHOP FOR EAST AFRICAN SOUVENIRS WITH A HUGE CHOICE OF TSHIRTS, ARTS, USEFUL SOUVENIRS I EVER SAW
What to buy: BATIKS, JEWELLERY, SAFARI WEAR, ARAB CHESTS, SISAL BASKETS, EBONY CARVINGS, WOODEN CARVINGS, SOAPSTONE CARVINGS, BRASS & COPPER WARE, AFRICAN SEMI PRECIOUS STONES, TSHIRTS, SHORTS, COFFEE, TEA
What to pay: FIXED PRICES, ABOVE AVERAGE PRICES
Written Dec 31, 2009
Address: MOI AVENUE, NAIROBI
Phone: 222704
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When our safari van entered the Masai Mara park, we were offered bracelets, necklaces, and all sorts of local crafts. We were also offered these during our visit to the Masai. Had we waited until leaving the Masai Mara Camp, we would have paid a tenth of the price. For example a beaded bracelet was sold to us for 1€ at the Masai village. When leaving 10 or 15 bracelets were offered for 5€.
Written Aug 22, 2008
You can get great souvenirs anywhere in Kenya. The cheapest place to get things in Nairobi is at the acade located beneath the Hilton. Ask for a guy named Babu who sells everything at bottom prices. Most stores aren't owned by native Africans which will make you frown after awhile.However, if you get low on cash, you'll get the most bang for your buck at Babu's store. You can get anything from spears to t-shirts there.
What to pay: There is no bargaining here. Expect to pay at LEAST half of what you'd pay anywhere else. I HATE bargaining and can't see how anyone could enjoy such a thing lol.
Written Nov 10, 2007
Address: The Hilton Shopping Arcade
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When in Kenya you will most likely be taken to small, independently run workshops just off the roadside. The drivers will take you there in the hope that you will spend money there - not too sure what this means to the drivers we never found out but I'm sure there's some kind of corporate deal going on here and good luck to them. These stalls sell things like soapstone carvings and wood carvings and hand made jewellery. The items are so cheap and these people work so hard - take a few of these items home, these people are trying to support themselves and their families and rather than head off for a life of crime or abject poverty they have decided to use their skills to earn money. The carvings are also very nice!
Written Jul 31, 2007
Address: mombasa
It is an open market which open only on Tuesday where merchant from around Kenya sale their products from garment, ceramics, jewelry, and many Kenyan specific souvenirs
What to buy: Callabus - it's supposed to be somekind of hanging fruit which were crafted from outside. The color usually is brown.
Kilimanjaro stone - you can choose different variation of patterns/ pictures in the shape of plates, eggs, ash tray etc
Kikoy - An authentic hand woven saroong from Kenya. You won't miss the vibrant color.
Cow bones/ horn - In forms of necklace, bracelet, pen holder. It will make a small gift to your dear friends.
What to pay: Bargain .... hard ! Definitely cheaper than souvenir from shop in town
Written Nov 25, 2006
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Going north toward our hotel in the hills around Molo, we stopped in the town of Nakuru as we passed through to stock up on food and drink items for the family. This is easy enough to do in Kenya as most grocery stores have the basic supplies that you will need. We did the same thing in Nairobi on our return trip, before we headed further south for a few days 'roughing it' in our small Banda at Amboseli National Park. The second photo shows a Kenyan lady carrying her child and the groceries across a street in Nakuru.
Written Sep 17, 2006
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The Voi rest-area is the stop-off midway for people taking the Mombasa Raha bus to Mombasa or other bus lines including the Akamba buses. Many Maasai traders come to trade their wears and if your handy at negotiation, you can get some decent craft and bead-work for cheap. Just to be sure, don't let anyone tell you that the bracelets are over 200 Ksh, instead buy 2 for that price or stick firm to 80 Ksh ( the REAL average is 100 Ksh). Expect that the prices stated for woodcarvings are accurate. Do not be tempted to buy shells or animal products like " Giraffe Hair" bracelets. If these are the real deal, then you are violating the law and subject to arrest if caught at the Airport.. not worth your trouble folks!
To ask the price in Swahili, simply poin to the object and say " Ngapi?" (UHn-Gapee).
What to buy: Look for Giriama soapstone carvings and ornate Maasai bracelets.
What to pay: See the prices above. Expect to pay 250 Ksh + for soapstone and woodcarvings and around 80-100 Ksh for bracelets and jewelry is reasonable.
Written Aug 18, 2006
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What to buy: Shop for local handicrafts and art, including wood carvings of animals and people, sisal baskets, Masai and Kikuyu beadwork, handwoven kanga (sarong) fabric, Kisii soapstone, intricately carved gourds, ebony carvings, batik wall hangings, antiques (notably Arabic pieces), blue tanzanite or green tsavorite gemstones, and malachite.
Written May 24, 2006
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Nairobi's street vendors offer some of the freshest fruit if you keep your eyes open. For as rediculously little as 10 Ksh you can get a bag of plums, while oranges and bananas range from 20 to 45 Ksh. Since most post their prices, haggling can be kept to a minimum. This supports poor local women in the community and gives you a fair price. Should someone attempt to charge you too much, simply say " Punguze Bei, Tafadhali!", which means " Reduce the price, please" and you can start negotiating a more reasonable exchange.
What to buy: Make sure you buy fruit early in the day, as it tends to sit out in the sun for a while. Your best bet for freshness is to buy Passionfruit or Oranges, as they tend to do better in the heat then Plums or Berries do.
What to pay: See above..
Written Mar 28, 2006
Address: The bigger open-air markets tend to be off Moi Ave
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Nairobi's street vendors offer some of the freshest fruit if you keep your eyes open. For as rediculously little as 10 Ksh you can get a bag of plums, while...
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