Kariakoo Market Nairobi & Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam

This post is about Kariakoo in both Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.

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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.

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Kariokor Market Location

Map of Kariakoo Dar es Salaam/Kariokor Market Tanzania

This map of Kariakoo is courtesy of Google Maps

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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:

1. Chelsea Hotel
2. Iris Hotel Dar es Salaam
3. Stay Inn Hotel
4. Conrad Hotel
5. Florida Executive Inn
6. Sleep Inn Hotel
7. Ideal Hotel

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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.

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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!

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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?

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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