Caplaki Craft Village
Caplaki Craft Village
4
About
Caplaki Craft Village Ltd. Carries an unbelievable collection of arts and handcrafted treasures, and you can shop to your heart's content. We bring together independent artists and businesses under one roof. Look for beautifully carved woodwork and intricately woven baskets. If you’re looking for a partner, collaboration in arts and craft industry we are ready. you’ll enjoy looking at a selection of colorful beaded jewelry and tribal masks, each with an interesting significance behind them. Also look for drums, pottery and more.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
65 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
24
Average
18
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Fikus Destinalis
233 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
The place is now situated on the upper floor of the supermarket complex, like seen in the photo.
It's a nice place with many (like 20) small shops squeezed in a big hall. Great variety of all kinds of souvenirs for very good prices (significantly better than in Kenya or Uganda). You'll get anything you want from this place.
Vendors were not at all rude and would not drag us into their shops, also would let us go peacefully if we didn't fancy anything from their stock.
Be sure to negotiate your prices tho :)
It's a nice place with many (like 20) small shops squeezed in a big hall. Great variety of all kinds of souvenirs for very good prices (significantly better than in Kenya or Uganda). You'll get anything you want from this place.
Vendors were not at all rude and would not drag us into their shops, also would let us go peacefully if we didn't fancy anything from their stock.
Be sure to negotiate your prices tho :)
Written September 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrandTour39196330948
4 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
I have been to this market many times over the last 2 years of visiting Kigali. I love the fact that it is quieter than the big markets, but the variety of crafts is pretty impressive. Of course one gets approached with gentle insistence, but they are trying to earn a living so it's ok. I always find what I want for either myself or my friends there. Great place.
Written October 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rahul P
Montclair, NJ1,700 contributions
Jan 2017 • Solo
If you are in the market for handicrafts, this is the perfect place to wander the stalls for an hour or two and pretty much cover all of your shopping with a large variety of different items from paintings to figurines to what I was really looking for, masks. I found the whole spectrum - the typical mass-produced Masai masks and animal statues as well as more unique and detailed pieces. Two pieces of advice - budget a good amount of time to visit as many stalls as possible because the variety and quality of items really varies. The other advice is you need to barter and barter hard. I have been to markets in Africa so I had a reasonable idea of how much something should cost, and this market was severely marked up even more than those - imagine being asked to pay 100,000RWF for a wooden mask. A final price of 25-30% of what is originally asked will still leave vendors with a profit and they will accept if you make it clear you are not just a clueless foreigner.
Written February 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meenah
Abuja, Nigeria170 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
This is a great spot to get your souvenirs and gifts. Unfortunately they really do over price things hence i have included a pricing guide to help.
Key rings: 500-1000 franks depending on type- drum key rings are 500
Decorative plates: 5000-15000 depending on style and size. really small ones go for about 3000
Candle holder Masai: 5000 for a large set and 3000 for a small set
Baskets: 1000 for the small ones, 2000 for the medium sized sones and 5000 for the large ones
Key rings: 500-1000 franks depending on type- drum key rings are 500
Decorative plates: 5000-15000 depending on style and size. really small ones go for about 3000
Candle holder Masai: 5000 for a large set and 3000 for a small set
Baskets: 1000 for the small ones, 2000 for the medium sized sones and 5000 for the large ones
Written February 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the feed back and welcome back!
Please reach out to us and claim your gift with a link of your review at caplakicraftvillage at gmail.com.
Written August 29, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Scott B
Wantagh, NY713 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
I recommend going here at the beginning of your trip to get a feel for the types of products you may find in Rwanda and the prices which are charged here (take notes so you remember). I took pics texted them to myself with stall and quoted price, then I used those prices as a traveled Rwanda as a baseline for comparison.
Most of the stalls have the same items, and a million of them, but a few have some more unique pieces, just take your time and look. Note what you like, where it was and a price you have negotiated (you can haggle down to 30-40% of the first quoted price). And since many of the vendors have the same stuff, you can see who wants your business more for those items in negotiating too. Some of the vendors are kinda pushy, and others are more invitational, so I tried to give my business to those who weren't so pushy.
This market is more pricey than the main market, but has the available products in a more concentrated space so you don't have to spend as much time. But, you'll probably still need 1-2 hours to explore here for something to take home.
There are not antiques here either. Mostly all handcrafts, many mass produced, lots of clothing, jewelry, and a one or two stalls with hand painted artwork (one guy was painting when I was there).
I tried to get a few moto-taxi drivers to take me here and none knew where it was located. So, be sure to have a map, address and nearby known businesses or landmarks for reference or a phone gps that can help guide you there. It took about 5-6 drivers before I finally found one that was willing to try to find it, and he did finally.
Oh, and go when it opens, before 1-2 pm to avoid crowds. I went twice and as I was about ready to leave caravans of tour companies arrived. It is ok to go on a rainy day too, all stalls are indoors and paths are covered.
Most of the stalls have the same items, and a million of them, but a few have some more unique pieces, just take your time and look. Note what you like, where it was and a price you have negotiated (you can haggle down to 30-40% of the first quoted price). And since many of the vendors have the same stuff, you can see who wants your business more for those items in negotiating too. Some of the vendors are kinda pushy, and others are more invitational, so I tried to give my business to those who weren't so pushy.
This market is more pricey than the main market, but has the available products in a more concentrated space so you don't have to spend as much time. But, you'll probably still need 1-2 hours to explore here for something to take home.
There are not antiques here either. Mostly all handcrafts, many mass produced, lots of clothing, jewelry, and a one or two stalls with hand painted artwork (one guy was painting when I was there).
I tried to get a few moto-taxi drivers to take me here and none knew where it was located. So, be sure to have a map, address and nearby known businesses or landmarks for reference or a phone gps that can help guide you there. It took about 5-6 drivers before I finally found one that was willing to try to find it, and he did finally.
Oh, and go when it opens, before 1-2 pm to avoid crowds. I went twice and as I was about ready to leave caravans of tour companies arrived. It is ok to go on a rainy day too, all stalls are indoors and paths are covered.
Written October 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ledocanglais
Perth, Australia2 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
I grew up in Rwanda , now I live abroad now. I rate this place.
Be ready to haggle. all in good humour.
STAY AWAY from SHOP 22.
they will take you to the cleaners and will be rude in the process. I don't think they are true Rwandan
Be ready to haggle. all in good humour.
STAY AWAY from SHOP 22.
they will take you to the cleaners and will be rude in the process. I don't think they are true Rwandan
Written July 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wanderlust4adventure
Vancouver, Canada207 contributions
Feb 2017
The market is just for tourists. Even with haggling, the prices are still higher than other markets like Kimironko. I've found the shop owners unlikely to go more than 20% off, while that still leaves things above market. That said, it is still a convenient place to get baskets, jewelry, carvings, etc.
Written February 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sebastian J
Brussels, Belgium61 contributions
Jan 2020
Lots of little shops and sellers but I found they mainly sell the same things. Not too aggressive so no pressure to visit all the shops and all prices very negociable. Easy taxi ride.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the feed back and welcome back!
Please reach out to us and claim your gift with a link of your review at caplakicraftvillage at gmail.com.
Written August 29, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sirolad
Lagos, Nigeria1 contribution
Aug 2019
A lot of souvenirs and beautiful ones at that. Just be careful as a tourist and negotiate to a third of any price given to you for the best deals. I got a beautiful shirt for 8000 RWF after negotiating from 15000 RWF. I thought I got a good deal but was later told by locals that it should be between 5000 - 6000 RWF.
Written September 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the feed back and welcome back!
Please reach out to us and claim your gift with a link of your review at caplakicraftvillage at gmail.com.
Written August 29, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LeNa N
9 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
Lovely craft locally made pieces but quite expensive though especially if you are a foreigner. Go ready to bargain.
Got some lovely pieces.
Visited March 2017
Got some lovely pieces.
Visited March 2017
Written March 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much money should I take to Caplaki? Do you need cash or do some vendors take credit card also?
Written January 17, 2017
Thank you for the answers. Many shops were now taking visa and mastercard.
And about $30-50 is a good amount to take.
Written January 19, 2017
Is Caplaki open on Sunday mornings around 11am?
Written October 8, 2016
Yes Kaplaki opens Sunday around 11 am yes even before. Thanks
Written October 9, 2016
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