This post is about Kariakoo in both Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
READ ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Shoes for Online Shopping 2023: Finding the Perfect Fit at Your Fingertips
Table of Contents
READ ALSO: A Deep Dive into Styles at 5 Noteworthy Trending Clothing Stores
Kariakoo Market Nairobi/Kariakoo Market Kenya/Kariokor Market/Kariakoo Nairobi
Kariokor Market (and not Kariakoo Market) is an iconic market located in Nairobi, Kenya.
Kariokor Market Prices
It’s known for its diverse offerings, primarily focusing on second-hand or used items. This market is famous for its assortment of used clothes, shoes, accessories, and household items. It’s a bustling hub where people can find various pre-owned goods at affordable prices.
The market is frequented by both locals and visitors seeking budget-friendly shopping options. Visitors can find a wide array of items, from clothing to electronics, all available at negotiable prices. Kariokor Market offers an authentic shopping experience, allowing individuals to bargain and find unique items that suit their preferences and needs.
Besides second-hand items, the market is also known for its vibrant atmosphere and the bustling energy of vendors and buyers engaging in transactions. It’s a significant part of Nairobi’s informal economy and adds to the cultural tapestry of the city.
Please note that while Kariokor Market offers diverse shopping experiences, it’s essential to be cautious about the quality and authenticity of the items being purchased, especially when it comes to electronics and other valuable goods.
Bargaining is a common practice here, so visitors often negotiate prices to get the best deal.
As with any busy market, being mindful of your belongings and practicing basic safety precautions is advisable.
READ ALSO: Mizingani Seafront Hotel & Other Places My Readers Stay When They Travel
Kariokor Market Location
Map of Kariakoo Dar es Salaam/Kariokor Market Tanzania
This map of Kariakoo is courtesy of Google Maps
READ ALSO: Visiting Congo Street Again
Kariakoo Map Explanation
Kariakoo is a ward in the Ilala District of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
It is bordered on the north by Mafia Street, on the south by Uhuru Street, on the east by Lumumba Street, and on the west by Msimbazi Street.
Visit Kariakoo Market Dar es Salaam
If you are interested in booking a walking tour of Kariakoo Market in Dar es Salaam, here is a relatively short one available through Viator.
If you want to go on a tour of Kariakoo Market as part of a larger tour of Dar es Salaam, take a look at this tour.
Kariakoo Market Opening Hours
Kariakoo Market is generally open between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. every day.
Toi Market Directions
Getting to Toi Market is essentially about getting to Adams Arcade on Ngong Road. Once you are at Adams Arcade, Toi Market will be on your next left headed in the direction of Dagoretti Corner, along Suna Road.
Once you take that left turn, you’ll start to see stalls along the road and that is the beginning of Toi Market.
I am a big fan of Toi Market, so I hope you enjoy your time shopping there when you get there! 🙂
Kariakoo Hotels Dar es Salaam
With all the commerce that takes place in Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam, it’s no surprise that Kariakoo has its share of (inexpensive) hotels.
If you have business in Kariakoo or downtown Dar es Salaam—though Kariakoo is a residential area too—and are wondering where to stay there, here are 7 hotels for you to consider:
- Chelsea Hotel
- Iris Hotel Dar es Salaam
- Stay Inn Hotel
- Conrad Hotel
- Florida Executive Inn
- Sleep Inn Hotel
- Ideal Hotel
I first became aware of Congo Street in Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam on a shopping trip with my mother, who was looking for granite slabs for her new kitchen counter top.
Luckily, on that first foray into hectic Kariakoo, I was in an air-conditioned car so didn’t get to truly experience all the chaos.
I wasn’t paying much attention—my main goal that day was to hang out with my mother—but when we passed a street with HOT clothes hanging from every storefront, my attention was aroused.
I made a note of the street’s name, Congo Street. My plan was to come back and check it out in greater detail some day.
READ ALSO: Fridge Prices in Kenya & More
Visiting Kariakoo Dar es Salaam Market
In case you’ve never heard of it, Kariakoo is a high-density commercial and residential area in downtown Dar es Salaam. It contains one of the city’s largest markets, Kariakoo Market.
Word has it that you can buy anything in Kariakoo “from textiles to electricity generators, from bathroom sinks to stationery, from spare parts for cars to household furniture”.
It’s even been said that “if what you’re looking for is not in Kariakoo, then it doesn’t [exist] in Dar es Salaam!
READ ALSO: The Best Durex Lube & Other Things My Readers Buy Online
It took me a while to go back to Congo Street because I’m generally a little overwhelmed by Kariakoo.
As a Tanzanian who is usually mistaken for a foreigner (most people think I am either Kenyan or Rwandan) due to my poor Swahili and general demeanor, being in areas like Kariakoo can be quite uncomfortable for me.
Still, needing to do some emergency shopping one day, I conscripted my youngest brother (who’s lived in Dar es Salaam longer than me) to take me shopping in Kariakoo.
Where else did we end up but on…Congo Street?
READ ALSO: Chick About Town Community Online Shopping & Accommodation Guide
Kariakoo Clothes
My brother tells me (as I figured out that first day) that Congo Street is the main street in Kariakoo for apparel shopping.
Well the truth is, it’s not just Congo Street, but also the many smaller streets that intersect Congo Street.
On our shopping trip that day, we saw all kinds of apparel—women’s wear, men’s wear, shoes, handbags, jewelry—and all manner of other stuff.
To tell you the truth though, after a whole afternoon of shopping, Congo Street didn’t impress me much.
Although things were inexpensive like I thought they’d be, most of what I saw was also of very poor quality.
For the most part, the clothes were cheap synthetic Chinese knock-offs that weren’t even particularly beautiful.
Where I did stop and try on clothes, I was unhappy that I rarely had anywhere decent to try them on (and I have shopped in places like Sunbeam and Toi Market in Nairobi, Owino Market in Kampala, etc. and not had this problem), as well as no proper mirror to see how the clothes looked on me (who cares how inexpensive clothes are if all they’ll do is sit in your closet?).
Anyhow, I returned from Congo Street that day a little disappointed. In fact, I bought less than I’d intended to.
Not to form a judgment from one visit, I decided to visit Congo Street again another day. This time, hopefully, I’d be able to browse in a more leisurely manner. I finally did that a few days ago.
Photo Credit: Wikiwand, Tripadvisor
biche. How are you. Its been almost two good years since I have been away from home. Hope all is well for you East/Central Africa. Do you still visit Nairobi often. Do tell. Cheers
Hi Speudo Intellectual,
Nice to see a comment from you after such a long time! I believe the last time you left me a comment, you were in Ecuador. Is that where you still are?
No, I don’t visit Nairobi much at all. I haven’t been in almost as long as you and miss it dearly. All in due time.
Since Nairobi, I’ve spent most of my time in Kampala and Dar es Salaam, which have both been interesting to get to know better. What interesting places have you discovered in your travels outside of East Africa?
Biche
Am Ugandan and the first and only time I went to K’Koo, I must have stood out for some fella kept bumping into me, trying to make a fight, and I was told to be alert as he was one of those idlers who take advantage of chaos to rob first-timers clean.
On the plus side, I got to see Chinese speaking kiswahili fluently, negotiating the price of apples and pawpaws. Really showed me how multi-culture K’Koo can be.
My limited swahili meant I could only purchase basic foodstuffs before jumping out of there.
Hi Semu,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
I see you were as traumatized with Kariakoo as I have been at times. Not speaking Swahili (well) really puts one at a disadvantage there (though that can be generalized to Dar es Salaam as a whole).
Thanks for pointing out the multicultural aspect of K’koo. I do see a lot of Chinese when I am there, though I don’t think I have actually heard one speak Swahili fluently yet. I’ll keep an ear open for this.
Thanks for your feedback.
Biche
Hi Biche, pole about your experience. i know most of the stuff there is a cheap quality, but there are like high class boutiques, that sell quite nice clothes…unfortunately i dont remember the names, but not necessarily in Congo Street. you should try to browse other shops along other streets as well…somewhere near Dula’s chicken…(its a very popular place to get some traditional barbecued chicken) and no, i am not very familiar with the streets..lol…so yes, try other places in Kkoo, not necessarily Congo….all the best, dear…Naina
Hi Naina,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown! Thanks for your feedback.
I’ve been told by others the same thing you’re telling me – that there are some high class boutiques in Kariakoo – but no one ever seems able to give me clear directions (I don’t blame them! :-)).
For now, I will take your advice about looking near Dula’s Chicken. Thanks so much for this tip!
Cheers,
Biche
hey biche kariakoo is one of the best place to b
Hi Peter,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown! Your comment seems to have been cut off. What were you saying about Kariakoo?
Biche
Hallo Biche
Hello Shao. 🙂
Hi guys. I must this is interesting for me to read your comments about KKoo. Any idea where i can find women and men’s footwear and jeans at wholesale price in Da re salaam?
Hi Elias,
Welcome to Chick About Town!
I am sure the answer to your question is “in Kariakoo somewhere”. My experience of navigating Kariakoo has taught me to simply get there and then ask around. I always end up finding what I am looking for.
About wholesale shoes, I’ve come across some stuff online in the past through a Google search. You might want to try that.
Good luck!
Biche
Hey Great blog came across it from a link on reddit, On the topic ok kkoo i think gongo street is dedicated to wholesale clothes most sell to dealers that transport to othere regions and even out of country to zambia congo etc. so thats why most shops dont have changing rooms, mirrors,etc as most are just designed to show samples of what in stock
Hi Frank,
Welcome to Chick About Town, and I am glad you enjoyed this post.
No, after being there many times over the years, I am pretty sure Congo Street is for retail shopping. They just expect you to eyeball if something fits or not, or at the very worst, to try things over your own clothes to get a rough idea.
Biche