Batik Heritage store, Nairobi

What to buy here: Batiks.

Batik is a hand-painted cloth that has been covered with a mixture of paraffin and beeswax. Originally, batiks were only used to decorate clothing but can now be found on wall hangings, paintings and even throws. Traditional Kenyan batiks often have tribal designs and pictures of animals or the countryside. Batiks are made using different techniques, including stencils, etching and brush painting. The more intricate the design, the more you can expect to pay for it. A single yard of batik should set you back no more than U$20, though, especially if you’re willing to bargain for it. One of the best places to get batiks in Nairobi is the Batik Heritage store on Muindi Mbingu Street. They sell batik by the yard, as well as a large number of batik products, including skirts, kikoys and wall hangings. The Zanzibar Curio Shop is also a great place to shop for batik, as well as safari wear, baskets and clothing.