five people sitting at a table of home cooked food in tanzania and smiling at the camera

About us

Food Tours in Africa? Yes, Really.

It all began over a casual kitchen chat in Tanzania. Two friends, one local and one expat, swapping stories about the beautiful messiness of our day-to-day lives in Africa. We kept saying the same thing: travelers were missing out on the real flavor of everyday life here.

That’s why we created Jiranileo: to invite travelers into homes and neighborhoods to taste something new and hear the vibrant firsthand stories of a continent bursting with creativity and hustle, tradition and change.

We don’t just serve food, we serve connection. Because in Africa, nothing says “welcome” like sharing a meal, and there’s always room for one more at the table.

Jirani leo, marafiki kesho.

Neighbor today, friends tomorrow.

woman and man standing in doorway with hands outstretched as if welcoming guests

chitenge stock design with olympic circles in multiple colors on a yellow background

rectangular sign written jiranileo in the traditional tingatinga art displayed on a table by the indian ocean

Let’s Say it Together: Jiranileo

We get it. Jiranileo doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue the first time.

Try it with us: “Gee-RON-ee-lay-oh.”

And because we love a good laugh, we made a silly video of all the wrong ways to say it (and the right one too). Watch it on YouTube and see if you can do better!

Why Travelers Choose Us

African food at the center. We celebrate African food as the bridge between traditional culture and modern lifestyles.

Led by women and youth. Often excluded from tourism, we highlight their knowledge of culture and food while creating new sources of income.

Everyday Africa, up close. We don’t sugarcoat or stage life here. Travelers experience the real African energy and complexities, just as locals live it.

Read our approach to Responsible Tourism

Internationally recognized: Jiranileo has received global awards from the UN Tourism, the Basque Culinary Center, and the World Food Travel Association for our innovative model of inclusive gastronomy tourism.

group photo of jiranileo food tour guides finishing training in livingstone zambia

two people hold a first place award up to the camera

traditional pot of jordan with the words finalist in large letters displayed on a mirror

The Heart Behind the Hustle

Elizabeth Jere

Founder and CEO

Beth’s favorite part of Jiranileo is seeing the simple idea of bringing people together over food turn into reality, from the initial tour design to reading the guest’s and host’s feedback. She still pinches herself that the dream is real.

Origin: American roots with an adulthood spent in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia

Passport stamps: 39 countries and counting (including 17 African countries)

Beth in a word: Vivacious (her energy is contagious)

What makes her mouth water: Tanzanian style chicken biryani with a spoonful of atchar.

When she’s not eating: She’s perpetually exploring new countries and fueling her obsession with scuba diving.

Siboginkosi Phiri

Zambia Sales & Activity Coordinator

Sibo’s favorite part of Jiranileo is bringing people together over stories, laughter and meals that make everyone feel at home.

Origin: Zambian roots with a Botswanan upbringing

Passport stamps: 7 countries and counting (including 5 African countries)

Sibo in a word: Bubbly (with the volume turned up!)

What makes her mouth water: A steaming plate of nshima with T-bone and lumanda (a delicious Zambian vegetable.)

When she’s not eating: She’s making noise in the best way possible on the dance floor and at home with friends and family.

Our Partners

Jiranileo Tourism Zambia

Jiranileo Tourism Zambia is our flagship company. Headquartered in Lusaka, Zambia, Elizabeth started Jiranileo Zambia as the first gastronomy tourism company for the country. Jiranileo is one of the only tourism companies in Zambia specifically focused on inclusivity of women and youth and works with the Ministry of Tourism, National Assembly, and across our networks to identify hosts and youth who lead our food tours. Book a home-hosted meals, neighborhood food tours, and cooking classes in Lusaka and Livingstone on our Book Now page.

Book Worm School Place of Hope

BookWorm School Place of Hope is a community school in Lusaka, Zambia which serves as our venue for traditional Zambian cooking classes. Started in 2022, owner and teacher Violet Mundubi had a vision to expand school options for vulnerable children and youth of Kuku, a densely populated downtown neighborhood of Lusaka. The school uses volunteer teachers and active fundraising to run classes for 300 students ages 4 to 17 years. You can easily reserve your spot with a traditional Zambian cooking class at BookWorm on our website, and follow Bookworm on Facebook for more information.

African Food Trail

African Food Trail feels like a true Jirani: our Kenyan neighbor who shares our values and our vision to expand gastronomy tourism across Africa. Founded in 2019 by Hawa, African Food Trail shares authentic Swahili culture and cuisine through fun street food tours and cooking classes along the Kenyan coast, from the bustling streets of urban Mombasa to the laid back beach towns of Watamu and Diani. Together, we’re proud to celebrate African food in a way that uplifts local communities and gives travelers a rare, behind-the-scenes taste of what makes African cuisines so special. Reserve your spot on an African Food Trail tour on our website, and visit africanfoodtrail.com for more information.

Nyamirambo Women’s Center

Nyamirambo Women’s Center in Kigali, Rwanda uses income generated by cooking classes and other community tours to support their women’s empowerment programs in Nyamirambo neighborhood. While in Kigali, visit their fantastic shop which offers a large variety of women’s accessories, children’s clothing, and home decor products. Proceeds from the community tours and shop sales create income for women and fund the center’s initiatives, such as free classes in literacy, English, basic computer skills, handicrafts and sewing, and trainings on gender based violence. Reserve your spot at their traditional Rwandan cooking class on our website, and visit nwc-umutima.org for more information about the center.

Judith Safaris

Judith Safaris is woman-owned tourism company, a rare find in the African safari industry. Judith, the owner, built this company from the ground up in Kigali, Rwanda and now employs many female drivers and guides across the company’s travel and tourism activities. You can easily reserve your spot at their six-hour immersive Kigali Food Tour with cooking class our website, and find out more about their East African tours, car rental services, and Kigali homestay at judithsafaris.com.

Kibera Creative Arts (KICA)

Kibera Creative Arts (KICA) is a Kenyan youth organization that uses creative arts as a way to foster creativity and a sense of community for the children and youth in Kibera, a densely populated neighborhood of Nairobi. On weekends and school holidays, the center is alive with children singing, drumming, dancing, practicing musical instruments, painting, and more, celebrating the diverse cultural heritage of their country. Fun fact: The center once received a visit from Anthony Bourdain (watch on YouTube, Parts Unknown, Season 12 Episode 1.) You can reserve your spot at their hands-on Kenyan cooking class on our website, and find out more about KICA’s arts activities and other community tours at kiberacreativearts.org

Hungry for more?

Get travel tips and insights into our favorite African food on our blog page.

Visit the blog

FAQs About Our Company

What does Jiranileo mean?

Jirani means “neighbor” and “leo” means today in Swahili. Our food tours are like getting to know your neighbor, today.

Not to geek out too much, but these 2 words are representative of many languages spoken across the continent.

Swahili is a major language in Africa spoken by over 200 million people in 10 countries.
The word “Jirani” has Arabic roots (“jaara”), and Arabic is spoken by over 150 million people across Africa.
The word “leo” is rooted in Bantu languages, which are spoken by over 350 million people across Africa. Several African countries use a similar word for “today” in their dialects

How can I find out when you are expanding into more African countries?

We have a vision of starting food tours in every country in Africa. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed on our expansion plans.

How can I become a host or guide for a food tour in my country?

We would love to receive your recommendations for new hosts and guides. At minimum, we require that the person lives in or near a tourist destination or capital city of any African country, is outgoing and friendly, and is passionate about their traditional food.

Kindly note that you cannot recommend yourself, but you can refer a friend or relative or a women’s or youth group. We also welcome referrals from NGOs, community organizations, and government representatives. Visit our Contact Us page to see the requirements and to submit your recommendations.

I’m a travel agent. How can I become a reseller of Jiranileo food tours?

We welcome partnerships with travel agents within Africa and across the world. Contact us and we’ll send you more information.

I’m an influencer and content creator. How can I become an affiliate?

We welcome partnerships with influencers and content creators within Africa and across the world. Contact us and we’ll send you more information.