The main market sprawls over several blocks in the centre of Mzuzu and is the most interesting thing in the city proper. Stalls sell everything that comes out of northern Malawi — sacks of beans and chiponde groundnut paste, dried fish from the lake, second-hand clothes (kaunjika), live chickens, mismatched shoes, and seasonal heaps of green leafy vegetables.
The market is busiest on Saturdays and the food section at the back is worth a particular look: fresh tomatoes, cassava, ground maize for nsima, and bowls of fermented drink for sale by the cup. There are no tourist concessions here — bring small kwacha, dress conservatively, and ask before photographing people. Pickpocketing happens but is no worse than in any other big African market.