Victoria Falls Shopping

This group of corrugated tin shops in a U shape is to your left off the main road just past the train tracks if you are heading from the Airport to the Falls. (See Specific Directions below). This market has everything you want and they will find it if you need it. I got a Noah's Ark carved from Teak wood that is about 2 feet 2 inches long for $35 US. It did not come with the animals but they had plenty for purchase. We bargained them down form $120 US. They asked us for $10 for a little musical toy that they gave us for $2 US (Still a bit high in my book). They are hard bargainers but smile and shake your hand after completing a bargain.

I also acquired a Kudu Horn Shofar that they found and made for me and took to my lodging place since it had to be finished. I paid $45 US for the horn--BTW US Dept of Fish and Wildlife said Kudu is not endangered or protected so I was okay. USDA only cares that the product is finished--that is why I asked the person I purchased it from to sand it and coat it. I did not pay for it until it was dropped off since I had no guarantee that I would ever receive it.

They seemed to prefer South African Rand to US Dollars but wanted to say that there are only 6 rand to the US Dollar since I paid some in Rand and some in US Dollars--I told them no--that 6 rand to the Dollar was last years exchange rate and that it is currently 7.19 rand or so to the dollar.

Coming from Victoria Falls airport you pass Wimpy's Restaurant on the left in Vic Falls and then cross train tracks and there is a strip mall on your left with a phone card shop and the ILALA Lodge at the far end. At the beginning of the strip mall there is an entrance/little access road that leads you to this market behind the strip mall--you follow the little access road as it winds behind the strip mall and curves to the left and then you will see the U shaped tin roofed shanty market on your right

What to buy: They will make any wood item you want--if you bring a picture, they will carve it and deliver it. They even found my kudu horn. I bought a creche set, carved bread baskets, beaded necklaces, etc. Anything wood--they can make if you want more than the carved animals, the drums, the other wood items like masks, etc.

What to pay: On average, I paid 20-35% of their initial asking prices--just because you might pay more for the item in the USA doesn't mean it would cost anywhere near that price in Zimbabwe.

If you want to buy little knick knacks or inexpensive souvenirs, there are plenty of places to buy from, but a lot of them are very overpriced. I found one shop in particular that had very fair prices and a fairly good selection. Creations. If you are walking away from the Falls, it is on the left hand side right after you cross the railroad tracks.

Wooden carvings are sold alongside the road "everywhere" in Zimbabwe. In Victoria Falls there is an outdoor market which makes it easy to compare the work of several craftsmen. The quality varies, in fact some of the work we saw along the road was much better than much of what we found at this market. It seems like the high demand in a touristy place like Vicfalls tempts the craftsmen to deliver scamped work. But take a good look, you can pick up a good bargain!

What to buy: Carved animals of hard wood or soapstone.

What to pay: From a couple of USD and up. I was ashamed to bargain, since the asking price was very low compared to what I would have paid back home. But bargaining is the system, you are expected to do so.

I love shopping on the road side stands. You can find the coolest stuff at a very low price.

What to buy: The people are excellent wood craftsman around the Victoria Falls area.
They make very intricate wood carved baskets that are beautiful. This is the only place that I have seen such skill in this type of craft.

What to pay: They start high if they know you are a tourist. Expect to pay between 1/2 or 1/3 of their asking price.

The last stop on the tour is the craft market. Although there is some really good stuff, including some enormous hippos, we're not in the mood for buying. You feel guilty is you don't buy and guilty if you do buy - as you've only supported one vendor. It's a lose / lose situation.

The wooden salad bowls are beautifull.