Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class

We booked the Stone Town Spice Tour and Cooking Class through Viator, expecting an enjoyable morning exploring Zanzibar’s spices and cuisine. Unfortunately, the experience was terrible from the very beginning. We were supposed to meet at the Old Fort at 9:00 a.m. We arrived at 8:55 a.m. and messaged the operator because we could not find anyone. At 9:05, she told us that the driver was already there and looking for us but could not find us. We immediately told her exactly where we were and asked for her phone number so we could communicate more easily. We also called the number listed on Viator several times, but no one answered, and the operator was not responding to our messages in the app. At approximately 9:10, she instructed us to wait at a nearby restaurant, saying the driver would arrive soon. This made us question her earlier claim that the driver was already at the meeting point. We went to the restaurant and waited, but it soon began raining. We stood outside in the rain for approximately 15 minutes, repeatedly messaging her for an update. She continued to say the driver would arrive soon, despite not answering her phone. We repeatedly asked for the driver’s name and contact information so we could reach him directly, but she never provided it. After approximately 25 minutes of waiting in the rain, we told her we no longer wanted to proceed. Even then, she continued to insist that the driver would arrive soon. At 9:35, we finally informed her that we were leaving and requested a refund because the service we had paid for had not been provided. Since the booking was listed as non-refundable, we had to request a refund through Viator. The operator initially denied our refund request, but Viator ultimately refunded our money. We understand that delays and unforeseen circumstances can happen, but the lack of communication, failure to provide accurate information, and inability to arrange a driver in a timely manner made this an extremely frustrating experience. We do not recommend this tour provider. If you are booking a Stone Town Spice Tour and Cooking Class, we strongly suggest choosing another operator.

The cooking and the spice farm tour were what seemed like separate thing. With separate people. The beginning of going to the market with Lutfia was a very nice experience, as well as cooking and transportation were all of a high standard. I would recommend contact with Lutfia directly for cooking classes, +255 774 402 679 (WhatsApp) -CAUTION - We were told that access to the spice farm was actually free from a local and that a price of $20 per person for a tour and cooking was more than enough. We paid $60 per person. At the farm it was great to see and experience many of the different spices, however after the 40 minute walk we were ushered into a cosmetics “shop” to buy horribly overpriced items that weren’t even produced at the farm. When declined the attitude towards us shifted very negatively. Then they took us to a similar spice table, where the prices were outrageous and easily 4/5 times market value for spices. Again when we chose not to buy the friendliness of the hosts disappeared and it was a quite awkward situation. Then they wanted to show us “butterfly man” who we personally didn’t want to see, but who can climb the coconut tree and get us coconuts. He didn’t even climb to the top and get us a coconut, they brought us one from somewhere else. Then after they all kinda stood in front of me and my partner and demanded a tip and when we handed them 15,000 which was already a lot, they turned angry and we ended up giving them 10,000 each, a huge tip. But even then they were incredibly angry and was very unfriendly. The cooking after was great and a very nice experience, but overall we wish that we hadn’t booked this experience or knew more about tipping culture beforehand.

My experience to start 1 up to 100

+12

We booked the spice tour and cooking class combo. The spice tour itself was great—Musa explained each plant clearly and made the experience fun. The cooking class, however, was disappointing. Instead of actually learning recipes or techniques, we were asked to chop vegetables and scrape coconut while the main cooking happened by the women running the class. The women running the kitchen didn’t engage much besides giving very basic instructions through out translator, so the experience felt disconnected. Just felt like we payed to help prepare our lunch as opposed to really learn about the food. The food however did end up being delicious! We were also expected to tip multiple people and purchase items at several stops without advance notice, which was frustrating since we ran out of cash by the end. Overall: do the spice tour, skip the cooking class, and bring several small bills for tips.

A must do tour! Amazing experience starting with the local market tour, then learning a lot about the spice farms and get a chance to taste everything. Our tour guides were amazing! We cooked together a Swahili dish using everything we bought from the local market and the spices from the farm. Unbeatable experience!

+1

What am I supposed to do? The spice tour on the farm was good and informative. But let’s get to the two who did the tour with us. They were absolutely disorganized, no matching cash with them to pay at the market, then wanted cash from us. then was shopped at the market to cook after the spice tour. Cooking was a complete disaster. It wasn’t a cooking class but 1.5 hours standing next to it while he was “cooking”. Normally, the woman seems to be cooking, but she was lying on the floor with a “headache” all the time and was on the phone. He looked like he hadn't cooked much before. The hygiene also left much to be desired, you don't think much of washing your hands, the meat that fell on the floor after deep-frying was quickly put back on the bowl. All in all, this tour is not worth it, unless you have fun paying loads of tips for the guides. Another participant of the tour, who was staying at a hotel on the east coast, paid for the tour with round-trip travel, but had to pay the return trip again extra. It was not a good experience and there remains an unpleasant feeling. You're here only as a sponsor and not as a guest.

Is not a cooking class is more watching them cooking. My driver did the best he could since when we walked in the “chef” said she had a headache and he was a good cooker. The food was good and I know he was trying so I feel bad for him. Hygiene could have been a lot better! Spice tour was really good. They explained it everything and were nice.

I loved that this was a no frills but genuine experience. We cooked like locals, preparing food on the floor and on coals. Foid was delicious. The spice farm was lovely and we had fun guides. The vehicle was considerable and safe. The trip to the markets was made fun with our local guide. Overall, really smooth!

+5

This was a nice gateway activity to do with friends we cooked at a local family home and we all ate together. Worth it and we will return again

Taking this cooking class here in Zanzibar was a good way to connect to the culture. Our host was sweet and welcoming. and we learned to make traditional dishes like chapati