Mamas of Zanzibar: Unique Cultural & Culinary Experience
5.0
54 Ratings
Zanzibar

Immerse yourself in the local lifestyle of Zanzibar and indulge in delicious traditional cuisine with Mamas of Zanzibar. Experience a non-touristy, authentic, and engaging cultural adventure!

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • V6X8+CP5 - 09:00 Arriving + Greet and Meet
    09:15 Menu Introduction + Day Routine
    09:30 Heading to Local Market
    10:15 Back at Pishi HQ to prepare for cooking
    10:30 - 11:30 Prepare cooking Items + Cooking Classes
    11:30 - 12:00 Free time as we arrange for lunch + Explore the neighbourhood + Discover the boutique Shop + Henna Painting
    12:15 Lunch…
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What's Included
  • Authentic hands-on training by a traditional Zanzibari woman
  • Finish with a delightful home-cooked lunch
  • Complimentary glass of juice included
  • Explore the local fish market
  • Take-home easy-to-follow recipes
  • Variety of drinks available
  • Tasty snacks provided
What's Not Included
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
Meal Options
  • Fresh Fish - Fish from the local market
  • Grounded Cassava Leaves in Coconut - Served with Rice
  • Sweet Banana in coconut
Additional Information

Ever dreamt of immersing yourself in the native lifestyle of Zanzibar, bonding with the charming locals and savouring the mouth-watering Island dishes? Hope for an authentic and less commercialized Zanzibar adventure?
Welcome aboard to Mamas of Zanzibar :-) Here, we reveal a side of Zanzibar which is typically untouched by travellers - a community life…

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Location
V6X8+8H Zanzibar
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.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(54 Ratings)
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Voyager46735794136
Oct 6, 2025
Caring is sharing. Sharing a meal is greatly symbolic. The bonus to the great meal is the warm kindness. - Fun! Fabulous and Delicious! Great smiling way to learn about local culture and foods. A must for anyone who likes cooking!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kathryn_p
Sep 22, 2025
Awesome experience with these lovely ladies. - Fantastic down to earth experience with these lovely ladies. Beautifully clean cooking school, with great info and food. Highly recommend to everyone
Review provided by Viator
Rchudenko
Sep 19, 2025
Cultural - 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. 
Review provided by Viator
704darrent
Aug 29, 2025
Excellent authentic cooking experience - My experience with the Mamas of Zanzibar was definitely the hightlight of my time on the island. Maskat and the rest of the Mamas made me feel right at home and more than just a cooking experience, it was a cultural immersion. The best food during my time on the island, especially the curried fish.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Huda_s
Aug 25, 2025
Value for Money; Soulfoul Experience, Generous souls - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Akuli
Jul 22, 2025
Beautiful Authentic experience - Best beautiful authentic experience, lovely wonderful people and company, beautiful respectful community full of love and kindness, amazing food and culture could not have asked for a better authentic experience, participation in cooking and food shopping very fun atmosphere, learnt a lot about cooking, spices and culture
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Solocationer
Jul 21, 2025
Wonderful experience - My visit to Mama's was a great experience. The food was delicious and the women were lovely. It was so educational to learn about the dishes they make and how they are prepared. I am so grateful that Maskat opened up her home to give people the opportunity to do this. Thank you Mama's!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Escape53723018310
Jul 4, 2025
Loved the Mamas - Truly an amazing experience. The Mamas were so welcoming and truly made us feel at home with them. The meal they prepared was absolutely delicious. Highly recommend
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Allison_r
Jun 9, 2025
This is so much fun! The... - 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!!
Review provided by Viator
Ladyexecutivekat
May 14, 2025
The power of food to bring cultures and people together - an amazing experience! - A simply amazing experience of entering a community as an outsider and feeling instantly welcome. The sense of sisterhood is strong, although the Mamas take care to make the men feel just as welcome. It was such a privilege to be treated as a friend, to go shopping with the Mamas at the nearby open market, and then be coached through meal prep. Maskat, the founder, is lovely and generous, with her home, her culture, and in sharing her story. It felt like an intimate cultural immersion, culminating in a wonderful meal. It's an experience like no other. I highly recommend this to anyone, especially Westerners, visiting Zanzibar.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Check Availability
From $117
From $117
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).