Zanzibar Spice Farm Cooking Class: Learn Local Cuisine

Cook with Zanzibari women on the farm where your ingredients grow

A half-day private cooking class at an organic spice farm in Zanzibar where you learn to prepare local cuisine alongside Zanzibari women, then eat lunch on the farm. The class begins with a guided walk through the spice gardens to see how cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, vanilla and other plants are grown and harvested, includes a chance to climb a coconut palm with a local climber, and ends with you cooking the meal you'll eat.

The experience

The class starts at a small spice farm in Zanzibar's rural areas, where your guide walks you through the gardens explaining how different spices and tropical fruits are cultivated. You'll learn which plants are used for herbal medicine and which go into the island's daily cooking. The farm grows nutmeg, cinnamon and varieties of medicinal and ornamental plants: the reason Zanzibar earned the name Spice Island. Along the way you taste fresh fruits grown on the property and get the chance to watch local coconut climbers scale the palms, or try climbing yourself if you want.

After the garden tour, you meet the local Zanzibari women who teach the cooking. You don't watch a demonstration. You're in the kitchen doing the work, learning how to prepare the dishes that make up Zanzibar's everyday food. The women guide you through each step, and you cook the full meal together. When it's done, you sit down on the farm and eat what you made, with soft drinks and tropical fruits included.

Private transport picks you up from your accommodation and brings you back when the class ends. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of two other languages, and children from age 10 are welcome to join.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your accommodation.
• bottled water throughout the class.
• all ingredients for cooking.
• lunch on the farm with soft drinks and tropical fruits.
• a guide who speaks your language.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 09:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Polish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Zanzibar Crystal Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this class if you have a free afternoon and want to learn how Zanzibari food is actually made, not just taste it in a restaurant. The five-hour format gives you time to walk the spice gardens, cook a full meal and eat together, so you're not rushed through any part of it.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Polish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What spices will I learn to use in the cooking class?

The farm grows cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, vanilla, nutmeg and other medicinal and ornamental plants. Your guide explains how each one is cultivated and harvested, and which ones go into local Zanzibar cuisine versus herbal medicine. The cooking class focuses on the spices and techniques that are part of the island's daily food.

Do I actually cook the meal, or do I watch someone else make it?

You cook the entire meal yourself, working alongside the local Zanzibari women who teach you. They guide you through each step of preparing local Zanzibar dishes, and you participate throughout. You then eat the food you made together on the farm.

What happens during the spice farm walk before the cooking starts?

Your guide takes you through the small gardens to show you how the spices and tropical fruits are grown and harvested. You taste fresh fruits from the farm and learn which plants are used for herbal medicine. You also have the chance to watch local coconut climbers scale the palms, or attempt the climb yourself if you're interested.

Is lunch included, and what will we eat?

Lunch is included and consists of the local Zanzibar cuisine you cook during the class, served on the farm with soft drinks and tropical fruits. You eat the meal you prepared.