Rwanda Crafts and Markets: What to Buy, Where to Shop and How to Buy Well

Shopping in Rwanda is a good way to meet makers and take home something with a story. Quality is often high and designs are distinctive.

This guide explains which crafts to look for, where to find them and how to make your spending count.

This guide is part of our Uganda people, culture and history guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

What to Look For

Baskets

Rwandan woven baskets, often called agaseke, are among the most recognisable crafts. They are made from natural fibres in tightly coiled patterns, often with a pointed lid, and many cooperatives employ women who sell directly to visitors. Prices vary by size and intricacy, so look at the tightness of the weave and the evenness of the pattern. Baskets are lightweight, easy to pack and make good gifts. Buying from cooperatives supports group incomes, and several welcome visitors who want to watch the weaving at close hand.

Art Beyond Baskets

Imigongo is the art most strongly identified with Rwanda, and our imigongo guide explains how it is made and bought. Kigali also has galleries, art centres and studios selling paintings and prints by contemporary artists. Many produce cards and small prints that fit in luggage. If you are curious about the performing arts, look at our intore dance guide. A visit to a studio gives context that a shop shelf cannot.

Where to Shop

Kigali has craft villages and markets where many stalls sit side by side, which makes comparing prices and quality easy. Local food and clothing markets, such as Kimironko, give a lively picture of everyday life, though they are less focused on souvenirs. In smaller towns, cooperative shops and roadside stalls sell baskets and cards. Our Kigali travel guide helps you place these in a city itinerary. Ask your guide for current recommendations, since shops and cooperatives change.

Bargaining and Paying

Bargaining is acceptable at craft markets but should be polite and good-humoured. Greet the seller, ask for a price and make a reasonable counter-offer. Do not haggle over fixed-price shops or cooperatives, and do not squeeze a price so low that the maker loses out. Carry small notes and check payment options in advance; see our money and cards guide. Ask before photographing stalls or sellers, and learn a few words from our Kinyarwanda phrase guide.

A Simple Shopping Plan

If you have limited time, decide your priorities before arriving. One lightweight item for yourself, such as a small basket or a set of cards, and one gift for each person at home is usually enough. Visit one craft centre early in the trip to compare quality and prices, then buy at the cooperative or workshop you most enjoyed. Keep small notes in a separate pocket so that you do not have to open your wallet in front of a crowd. Leave space in your luggage, and plan a quiet half hour at the end of the day to wrap fragile items properly so that they arrive home in good condition.

Buying Ethically and Taking Things Home

Choose items made from local, renewable materials, ask who made them and avoid anything made from protected animals or plants. Check that items you buy may be taken out of the country and brought into your own, and ask your seller for packing advice. Wrap baskets inside clothes, carry fragile art in cabin baggage if allowed, and keep receipts. A single carefully chosen piece with a clear story is usually better than a bag of generic souvenirs. Share your shopping with community enterprises when you can.

Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.

Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team