Family-friendly activities For adults Activities for couples Tours Culture & history Markets, bazaars, & souks

Discover the flavors of Swahili cuisine with a cooking class in Mombasa. Explore Kongowea Market, choose your own menu, and prepare dishes with a local chef in a Kenyan home.

Highlights

• Immerse yourself in Swahili culture with a hands-on cooking class
• Explore Kongowea Market and learn to select fresh ingredients
• Choose your own menu and prepare dishes with a local chef
• Enjoy a homemade Swahili meal with your fellow participants
• Experience local life and culture in a Kenyan home

Description

Begin your experience at 9:00 AM outside Kongowea Market, Mombasa's largest open-air market and a bustling hub of fresh produce, spices, and daily Swahili life. Meet your friendly local guide who will introduce you to the ingredients that define the coastal kitchen—fresh coconut, aromatic spices, locally caught fish, and tropical fruits. Explore the market, learning how to select the best seasonal ingredients and understanding their use in traditional Swahili dishes. This interactive tour is also a great opportunity to engage with local vendors and learn about the history and cultural significance of foods that have been passed down through generations. Once your basket is full, hop aboard either a tuktuk (three-wheeled taxi) or a local public vehicle and head to the host’s home in a nearby community. This home-style setting provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxed, hands-on cooking session. Be welcomed with a refreshing drink and a spice and traditional kitchen equipment presentation. The beauty of this experience lies in its fully customizable menu. Each participant gets to choose one dish from each of the three categories Starter, Main, and Dessert making the experience personal and interactive. With guidance from your local host, learn how to prepare each dish from scratch using traditional techniques crushing coconut by hand, working with aromatic spice blends, and using both charcoal-fired stoves and modern appliances like gas cooker. Stir, chop, season, and taste as you go along. After the cooking is done, sit down together to enjoy a delicious home-cooked Swahili meal, sharing stories, learning more about coastal culture, and savoring the fruits of your labor. This experience is as much about cultural exchange and hospitality as it is about food. It's a rare opportunity to step inside a Kenyan home, see how real people cook and live, and connect on a deeper, more authentic level.

Includes

Guided tour of Kongowea Market All ingredients and cooking equipment TukTuk or local transport to the host’s home Full cooking session with a local chef Homemade Swahili meal (starter, main, dessert) Drinking water and welcome refreshments

Important Information

• Please arrive at the meeting point by 8:50 AM for a prompt start. This experience is suitable for vegetarians (V) and peanut-free options are available on request. Wear comfortable shoes for walking in the market and bring a hat or sunscreen. This activity is great for families and small groups.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund