Arusha: Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Arusha, Tanzania
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Learning how to make Tanzanian food doesn't need be difficult thanks to this class, which includes hands-on instruction from an instructor. Start with a visit to a food market to learn about ingredients and local culture, before continuing to your class, where you learn to whip up a meal of Tanzanian fare. After class, sit down and feast on your creations.
- Upgrade to include a walking tour add-on
- Choose from a range of start times to suit your schedule
- Round-trip transportation from central Arusha included for ease
- Small group sizes ensure personal attention from your instructor
What's Included
- Market Tour & Shopping: Guided exploration of Arusha Central Market with an expert local guide.
- Pickup and Drop-off at your hotel near the city center
- Fresh Ingredients: All costs for the fresh, local ingredients selected for your cooking session.
- Hands-on Cooking Lesson: Full masterclass led by a local host using a traditional charcoal kitchen.
- Complete Meal: Sit down and enjoy the full, delicious Tanzanian lunch or dinner that you prepare
- Beverages: Refreshing mineral water provided throughout the tour and cooking session.
- Taxes: All local government taxes and service fees.
- Crew Tips: Gratuities/tips for your local cooking host and market guide (highly appreciated)
- Personal Shopping: Any personal items, souvenirs, or extra spices you wish to buy at the market.
- Extra Beverages: Alcoholic drinks, sodas, or additional specialty beverages.
- Travel Insurance: Personal medical or travel insurance coverage.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
We will pickup our customers to the right position they select near the city center of Arusha
Itinerary
1
Arusha
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Sanawari
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 110 reviews
Happi_B, Jul 2026
This is a wonderful activity. The market is absolutely amazing and will give you a true sense of everyday life in Arusha. Cooking was cool and fun. The whole team was warm and kind and made you feel like one of the community.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
What a fantastic review—thank you for sharing!
Connecting guests with the real, everyday energy of Arusha through our local markets is something our team is deeply passionate about. Hearing that you felt right at home and welcomed as part of the community during the cooking session is the ultimate compliment for everyone involved.
We loved having you with us, and we hope the fun memories and traditional flavors follow you wherever your next adventure takes you!
Nicole_K, Feb 2026
Great tour! Our guide, Israel, is very friendly and is very knowledgeable about Tanzania. A plus is that his english is perfect! The tour at the market was fun. We also enjoyed cooking in traditional Tanzanian way. No stoves, instead ground charcoal grill and gas bottle with cooking ring.
The food turned out delicious! Our Chef was great! It's definitely hands on which made it a great experience. Dishes prepared are all vegetarian.
Now I get to return to the US and prepare yummy Tanzanian food. We prepared ugali, vegetable pilau, mchicha and chapati. In the back yard is a mango and avocado tree. We had mangos picked fresh from the tree. Delicious!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure hosting you and sharing my passion for Tanzania with you. I am thrilled that you enjoyed the 'hands-on' experience—cooking over charcoal and using the gas ring is truly the heart of a local kitchen! It is wonderful to hear that the vegetarian menu was a success; Pilau, Mchicha, Chapati, and Ugali are some of our absolute favorites. I’m also so glad we could share those fresh mangoes from the backyard with you! I am honored that you’ll be taking these recipes back to the US with you. Thank you so much, and you are always welcome back to Arusha!
Patricia_K, Aug 2025
This was an amazing tour. We chose it because it sounded interesting, and we needed something to do for a half day in the afternoon while we were in a Arusha, getting ready to go on Safari the next morning. It was not only interesting, it was very educational and fun. Talking with Isaac, Leroy, and Neema while we toured, shopped, and learned to prepare food was so informative. They were great conversationalists, and we learned so much about the lifestyle of the people in the town of Arusha, Tasmania.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review and for your kind words about Tanzania Songbirds Safaris. We are delighted that you enjoyed the authenticity of the experience, especially the visit to the local market and the opportunity to prepare traditional meals. Your feedback and the time you took to share it mean a lot to us.
From $45.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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