Mamas of Zanzibar - A Unique Cultural & Culinary Experience

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Zanzibar, Tanzania

4 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Sample Menu

Main

Fresh Fish

Fish from the local market

Main

Grounded Cassava Leaves in Coconut

Served with Rice

Dessert

Sweet Banana in coconut

What's Included

Lunch

What we cook is what we will eat. We also offer Zanzibar Snacks and goodies as gifts.
Snacks

Traditional Swahili sweets will offered
Drinks
A visit to the nearby Fish Market
Hands-on training from an traditional Zanzibari Woman
Finish delicious home-cooked lunch with a glass of juice
Easy to follow recipe to take with you

Air-conditioned vehicle

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

W699+FV, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Our Home. Enter the road to Ngalawa Hotel at Meli Nane. Follow the dirt road past the bump, on the first turn, go right. Head down the small slope, right infront there is a house with a red gate. Please call us when you reach here to come collect you.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.9:00 am

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Michael_B

Just amazing. So sweet, welcoming and 100% authenticate. Oh and the food was better than any restaurant food you can get. Cooked with love and kindness. We took our 13 year old son and 17 year old daughter. Both loved it and would definitely do it again.

Reviews

5.0

based on 57 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Authenticate Zanzibar - Don’t Hesitate

Michael_B, Dec 2025

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Asante sana, Michael, for such kind and heartfelt words. We’re so happy you felt the warmth, authenticity, and love that goes into everything we do — and yes, food cooked with love always tastes better. It truly means a lot to us that your son and daughter enjoyed the experience as well. Sharing this day with families and seeing young people connect with our culture makes it even more special. Thank you for being part of Mamas of Zanzibar. From me and all the Mamas, we are genuinely grateful and would love to welcome you again anytime. Maskat

Awesome experience with these lovely ladies.

Kathryn_P, Sep 2025

Fantastic down to earth experience with these lovely ladies. Beautifully clean cooking school, with great info and food. Highly recommend to everyone

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the experience and felt the warmth of the Mamas. It means a lot that you appreciated the cooking experience, the food, and the chance to learn more about our culture. Your visit also directly supports the Mamas and their families, and for that, we are truly grateful. You’re always welcome back! Maskat

Cultural

rchudenko, Sep 2025

Today we were fortunate enough to dive into the local culture! We spent the day with the mamas of Zanzibar. We were dressed in the traditional Hajib, went shopping at the local market, and then spent the day preparing and cooking a meal in their home, using their traditional kitchen appliances! Best experience ever, wonderful ladies! It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what color you are, or what language you speak…. When a bunch of women get together, we are just that a bunch of women! We were laughing and joking, and teaching each other our languages. ❤️ it was an honor to spend the day with these beautiful women.

Value for Money; Soulfoul Experience, Generous souls

Huda_S, Aug 2025

I had such a beautiful experience with the Mamas of Zanzibar. It’s more than just food – it feels like being welcomed into someone’s home. Attention to details, quality of services, and conversations, a story of empowered women who happen to make dishes that are full of flavor, cooked with so much love, and you can taste the tradition in every bite. What stood out most was the warmth of the women behind it all – kind, genuine, and so passionate about sharing their culture. Thank you, Maskat, Salma, Asyah, and all of the lovely women who hosted us 💗 If you’re in Zanzibar and want to experience authentic food made with heart, this is where you should go. It’s soulful, delicious, and unforgettable.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you so much for this beautiful review! We’re overjoyed that you felt the warmth, love, and passion of the Mamas of Zanzibar. You captured perfectly what we hope every guest experiences — a true feeling of being welcomed into our homes, sharing stories, laughter, and traditions along with the food. Even more meaningful is that your visit directly supports the Mamas and their families, helping empower these incredible women every day. From me and all the Mamas, we are genuinely grateful for your time, your energy, and your kind words. We hope to welcome you back soon for more laughter, cooking, and soulful memories! With gratitude, Maskat

This is so much fun! The...

Allison_R, Jun 2025

This is so much fun! The mamas are so sweet and hospitable. I can’t imagine another cooking class in Zanzibar even comparing to this one. Fabulous experience. 100% recommend! Note: Following the google address on Viator will not take you to the place - so it is best to follow the written directions!!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Hello Allison, Thank you so much for your enthusiastic review! We’re thrilled you had such a fun and memorable time with the Mamas. Your recommendation means a lot to us! For future guests, we suggest using Google Maps for the most precise location. Please look out for the red gate and wait there at 9am sharp, where we will come to collect you. This helps ensure a smooth and easy start to your amazing cooking experience! Looking forward to welcoming many more wonderful guests soon! Warm regards, Maskat

Thank you!! Everyone should Experience this tour while in Zanzibar. 100000/10.

Nicole_H, Oct 2024

I would travel far and wide to experience this tour again. Maskat and the mamas made me feel like family.

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Thank you Nicole for taking time to write us your review. It was a great day with us too , and will be waiting whenever you do get the chance to visit again :) Karibu sana Maskat and The Mamas xxx

Fabulous experience…best thing we did!

samantha_M, Sep 2024

We had a fabulous morning with marvellous mamas, so friendly and welcoming. We shopped at the market for our ingredients then all prepared the most delicious meal. If you’re considering booking, do it! You won’t regret it!

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Hi Samantha :) We are very happy to read that you had a fabulous day with us at our home. Zanzibar is beautiful, but the magic spark of it all is the hospitality of the local people am glad you enjoyed the morning with us. Thank you for visiting and having a meal with us.

Unforgettable experience!!

DeAnna_H, Sep 2024

The Mamas of Zanzibar Cooking Experience was absolutely incredible from start to finish. From the moment we arrived, everyone was so warm and welcoming, making us feel like part of their community. The day started with a walk to the local market, which was such an authentic experience. We picked out the freshest ingredients, learning about the local produce as we went along. What made the experience even more special was returning with the mamas to actually prepare the food ourselves. They were so patient and knowledgeable, guiding us step-by-step through traditional Zanzibar recipes. Along the way, they shared their personal stories and the rich history of their culture, adding so much depth to the experience. The food we made was beyond delicious—flavorful, vibrant, and authentic. I can't express enough how amazing it felt to be a part of this. I would recommend this 1,000 times over to anyone who loves food, culture, and unique experiences. Truly unforgettable!

Best experience in Zanzibar

william_d, Sep 2024

A great story of how the Mama’s of Zanzibar started. It was also the best meal we had on our trip. Overall, a fantastic experience.

Wonderful Culinary Experience in Zanzibar

Vicki_W, Jul 2024

What a fun culinary experience this was. The Mamas were such a joyous bunch of ladies. I enjoyed every minute & great insight into local life plus the food was delicious. Would totally recommend this tour the best tour i did during my stay in Stone Town.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Dear Vicki, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience with the Mamas. We also did from the market to peeling the green Bananas. It was lovely welcoming you to our homes, introducing you to our culture and sharing a meal with you. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your holiday in Zanzibar, and thank you for spending some of it with us. Asante sana, Maskat