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Dar Es Salaam Region
Dar es Salaam
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Mwenge Woodcarvers Market
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Mwenge Woodcarvers Market

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See all things to do
Mwenge Woodcarvers Market
4
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Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
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Restaurants
46 within 3 miles
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0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Mediterranean • Vegetarian Friendly
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0.8 mi
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1.1 mi
Pweza Cafe
20
1.1 mi$$ - $$$ • African • Seafood
StartUP Cafe Tanzania
1
1.5 mi$ • African • Cafe
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Attractions
49 within 6 miles
Mlimani City Mall
29
0.4 miShopping Malls
dar es salaam city center
1
0.4 miNeighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Village Museum
194
1.6 miHistory Museums
The Slipway Shopping Centre
213
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Shopping Malls
Shoppers Plaza
17
1.1 miShopping Malls
Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery
23
1.4 miCemeteries
Bongoyo Island
399
Islands
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1.8 miShopping Malls
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1.9 miShopping Malls
Azam Marine and Coastal Fast Ferries
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Ferries
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
98 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
48
Average
17
Poor
6
Terrible
3
pascal m
5 contributions
Amazing place to purchase souvenirs
Friends
The market has about 60 stalls. They have similar items with slight difference. You can shop for wood carvings of small animals like lions and elephant to other carvings of maasai heads and complex carvings depicting multiple people. It's a good idea to look around more before buying something so as to get exactly what you are looking for . It's also okay to negotiate when the price doesn't resonate with you . There stalls that sell tribal items, which can very interesting too.
Written July 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Miles Archer
Boca Raton, FL7,327 contributions
WOODCARVERS MARKET
Solo
There are some very talented wood carvers here. Carvings of all sizes. I didn't come here to buy, but just to observe and chat with the artists who would talk to me. I didn't bring a camera, but for visitors who want to take pictures, it's okay to photograph the Carvings but maybe not the carvers.

Reviewed by Miles Archer -- Boca Raton, FL
Written February 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dmittleman
Palm Beach Gardens, FL1,444 contributions
Hard Work, Exquisite Results
This sprawling market has stalls in the front and the artists studios in the back. The artists create all different types and sizes of wood carvings. Although many don't want there pictures taken, you can take pictures of their creations and of the hands working on the pieces of art. Very interesting.
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Roger P
St. Asaph, UK57 contributions
Wood carvings, bead jewelry, clothes and tribal art.
Couples
The market comprises 60 or so stalls. They all sell the same collection of items. Wooden carvings from small animals (lions, elephants, etc), through variously sized carvings of Masaai heads and figures, to large complex carvings incorporating multiple people. What varies is the quality of the work. So it is worth having a look in several stalls before bargaining. There is also bead jewelry (bracelets, necklaces) and cotton clothes in local bold prints. The stall owners will entreat you to enter their shops, but don't let that put you off. As they say "It is free to look.". Be prepared for hard bargaining. They may ask a ridiculously high price to begin with. Don't pay more than you want to because there is always another stall selling the same.
Some stalls also sell tribal art (masks and ritual figures). Look at the rear of the stall. This is what I was especially interested in. The seller should be able to tell you the name of the tribe it comes from. And should issue you with an official receipt.
If you run out of money there is an ATM just around the corner, Ecobank. And this bank doesn't change for withdrawals.
Written March 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BrisVagueness
Brisbane, Australia61 contributions
Quality carvings, pushy traders
Friends
As soon as we got our of our taxi we were descended upon by people who wanted us to go into particular stalls, and there was no let up in the hassle the entire time we spent there. The wood carvings seem good quality, and there is a variety of other tourist gifts, but there are probably better places to buy them. For example, there were lots of Tinga Tinga paintings, but these are better bought from the Tinga Tinga Arts Co-operative. I also recognised fabric with the same print as I'd bought in Rwanda, but the Rwandan fabric was better quality and better price.
Many of the tourist items are not traditionally from Tanzania - you'll also find West African style masks and Rwandan baskets. If you aren't going to any of those places but like the look of them, there's no reason not to buy them at Mwenge or any of the other souvenir markets in Dar, but if you are going elsewhere you might want to wait.
The stalls at Mwenge are cramped and dark, the traders are pushy. For the same goods in a nicer environment with less hassle, I'd go to the Slipway markets.
Written May 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Goran M
Stockholm, Sweden167 contributions
Great deals to be had if you bargain a bit!
Business
Went here an afternoon and we were basically alone, which can be a bit of a hassle with all the shop owners trying to get you into their store. My advice is to just smile and walk around until you find an outlet that has something you like and start bargaining. A lot of beautiful wood carvings and other stuff on sale.
Written October 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Patricia J
Willis, TX65 contributions
Be Sure to Bargain!!
Couples
My husband and I had a good time here. If possible have someone go with you to help with interpretation, our driver for the day went with us and was a great help.
It is a but overwhelming when you first step out, everyone wants you in their shop. My suggestion is if you find something you really want ask the price and give what your willing to pay chances are the won't accept it then just tell them you will come back if you don't find it at a better price. The first stall we went in I asked about a bowl, he told me $50 USD, later after walking around I found the SAME bowl for $5 USD. We found a lady (in my picture) along the street side she was booth #16, she had the best prices of anyone there. I spent $60 USD and walked away with everything I wanted.
Not really a place to take children, but most definitely worth going to!
Written May 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Abdulla Msabaha
Mbeya, Tanzania70 contributions
BEAUTIFUL CULTURAL PRODUCTS
here you get to see so many products which are hand made by the sellers there are painters,sandals makers,bracelet makers and so much more,the part i love most about this place there are so many women whom are entrepreneurs.
Written September 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LAgirlinNY
Los Angeles, CA36 contributions
Must Shop Stop
Friends
Wish we knew in advance that this first day at Mwenge would have some of the best shopping of our trip! I got beautiful beaded necklaces, wood bowls, spoons, and table runners that couldn't be found anywhere else during our stay and for very reasonable prices! Also nicest shop owners around TZ.
Written July 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
travel_lover_2010a
Saginaw, MI24 contributions
Relaxing market, need to bargain
Solo
I spent 2hrs at this square of art sellers and wood Carver's. Compared to West African art markets, I found the shop owners here to be very relaxed and not aggressive. If you go behind the shops, you can see the wood carvers at work. Not everything in the shops is handmade, so I recommend bargaining directly with the carver himself. Other souvenirs are typical of what you find in most Tanzanian markets. Bargain aggressively, but don't ask a price unless you intend to buy.
Written April 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Mwenge Woodcarvers Market (Dar es Salaam) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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