Where to Buy Year-End Gifts in Dakar

From toys and clothes to perfume, books and craft items, Dakar offers plenty of choice for finding Christmas and New Year gifts. Here is how to plan your shopping, avoid the last-minute crowds and stick to your budget, no matter who you are shopping for this year.

Toys and gifts for children

Specialised toy shops usually offer a wide range, from building sets to dolls and board games, with price ranges that vary widely depending on the brand and size of the toy. For younger children, illustrated books and educational games remain safe choices, often available in the same shops as classic toys. It is worth comparing several shops before buying, as prices can vary noticeably between retailers for a similar item.

Clothes, perfume and accessories

Plateau and Almadies are home to many fashion and perfume boutiques, handy for finding a more personal gift. For perfume, it is best to choose specialised shops with a genuine range of brands, rather than buying at random in a general store. Clothes remain a tricky gift if you do not know the recipient's exact size, while accessories like scarves, bags or jewellery are often easier to give without that risk, since they usually come in a single size or an adjustable fit.

Crafts and books: gifts that carry meaning

Senegalese crafts, whether leather goods, fabrics or wooden objects, make an original gift for relatives abroad or for someone discovering the country. Bookshops, especially in Plateau, also offer a good selection of Senegalese and African literature, a gift idea appreciated by readers. For electronics, it is best to compare warranties and after-sales service options rather than relying only on the displayed price.

Avoiding the last-minute crowds

In the days before Christmas and New Year, shops and malls get noticeably busier, sometimes with queues at checkouts and a reduced choice of the most popular items. Shopping from early December onward helps avoid this rush and gives access to a wider selection, especially for toys and electronics that sell out fast. If you absolutely must shop at the last minute, choose quieter opening hours, usually weekday mornings, and keep a short backup list in case your first choice has already sold out.

Budget and gift wrapping

The budget set for each gift naturally depends on the recipient and the type of item chosen, ranging from small affordable accessories to bigger gifts for close family. Allow a little extra time for wrapping, as some shops offer this service on site, which simplifies preparing gifts before the holidays. To compare prices quoted in FCFA, the currency converter can help. You can also browse the full list of shops listed in the Dakar directory to widen your search.

Recommended addresses on SeneFinder

• Africa Kid Sea Plaza: children's shop in Dakar
• Chic Web Store: shop in Dakar
• Cosmétiques et Fragrances: perfume shop in Plateau
• Happy Deals Dakar: shop in Almadies
• Hoballah Jouets: toy shop in Plateau
• Librairie Clairafrique: bookshop in Plateau

To see all addresses in this category, check the directory, and to widen your search, explore the Dakar directory.

Useful tools

• FCFA currency converter to compare prices
• Practical guide for everyday useful information
• For more, also read our guide to toy shops in Dakar and our ideas for souvenirs to bring back from Senegal

Frequently asked questions

When should gift shopping start to avoid the crowds?

It is best to start in early December, since the last days before the holidays bring heavy crowds and a reduced choice of the most popular items.

Where can you find a craft gift in Dakar?

Specialised craft shops, often found in Plateau and tourist areas, offer leather goods, fabrics and wooden objects for an original gift.

Do shops offer gift-wrapping service?

Some shops offer this service on site, which saves time before the holidays, but it is best to check directly in store.