What You Can Expect

Experience the diversity of Zanzibar cuisine as you learn to prepare traditional dishes, using rich flavors and spices from a fusion of cultures, including Swahili, Arabian and Indian. After hotel pickup by minivan, travel with your guide and small group to Mkokotoni Fish Market, a friendly fishing village located on the northern tip of Zanzibar Island. Meaning 'The Spice Islands,' its name refers to the aromas of tropical spices. Then head to Kidichi Tropical Spice Garden and explore the spice terraces with your guide. View more than 100 varieties of tropical spices and herbs used in flavorings as well as medicines and dyes, and retrace the historical route of the spice trade. Visit the local market of Darajani where locals seek the day’s fresh ingredients each morning, such as fish, vegetables, dry goods and fresh cuts of meat. Around the corner you’ll find stalls selling fresh fruit to complete the nutritional needs of many households living within the area. Your guide will enlighten you about the secrets to Zanzibar cuisine and its varied dishes that appeal to a wide range of palates. At the cooking school, located in the Heart of Stone Town, join expert local chefs and learn how to cook several authentic Zanzibar dishes. During this hands-on lesson, your small group prepares your own meal from scratch, using traditional mortars and pestles to grind fresh spices and herbs like lemongrass, ginger, curry leaves, garlic and shallots — all harvested straight from Kidichi spice garden! Learn about their culinary features from your instructors, who make Zanzibar cooking a fun and unforgettable experience. Afterward, enjoy your yummy lunch with your fellow cooking enthusiasts before returning by minivan to your hotel.