Neighborhood Food Tours
Get a taste of modern African culture
Let our Jiranileo guides be your friendly neighbor (“jirani), who shows you around their community today (“leo”).
We know it isn’t easy to explore African neighborhoods. Between the safety stereotypes spread by international media and the frequent absence of street signs, most visitors see African cities out the car window instead of on the streets.
Our neighborhood food tours make it easy and safe to immerse yourself into local communities across Africa.
How it Works
Book a neighborhood food tour online at least one day in advance.
We’ll send you directions to the meeting point.
We’ll assign a local guide to take you off the beaten path.
You’ll experience the flavors of the city through a cultural, food-filled tour.
What to Expect
African communities are incredibly diverse, but our neighborhood food tours give the same feeling across every country.
You’ll feel welcomed. Get ready for constant greetings and smiles from the locals. Our communities are still getting used to seeing tourists walking by.
You’ll feel safe with our guide. Whether you are exploring a market or checking out the street food scene, our trained guide will be by your side, sharing local insight and keeping you safe.
You’ll taste our culture through food. Each neighborhood has its own history and micro-culture that shapes their local cuisine. Our tours will stimulate your sight, sound, smell, and awareness, as well as your taste buds.
What NOT to Expect
Our sidewalks aren’t perfect. In fact, often there are no sidewalks! Wear comfortable shoes and follow our guide’s lead.
Not all our local foods or customs translate into English. Even though all our guides speak English, some local words just don’t directly translate. Don’t surprised if guides use photos or advice from local experts to explain their culture.
Our energy doesn’t finish. Our guides keep you active and immerse you in the community. You’ll meet the neighbors, including market vendors, restaurant and shop owners, and random people on the street.
FRESH, LOCAL, AUTHENTIC.
Edith will tell you about the way her grandmother cooks using a mix of modern amenities and traditional utensils.
Laureen will take you to all the cool locations in the neighborhood. We love this spot for photos with the Zambian flag!
Martha will show you all the hidden secrets of the central food market. Have you ever seen this ingredient before?
Peggy will show you how to eat the local foods like a local. Do you know how to pick up okra soup with your hands?
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect from a neighborhood tour?
Neighborhood food tours, which include street food tastings, restaurant crawls, and local food market walks, showcase the diversity of African foods and how the cuisine fits into modern culture. Led by our trained guides, these day tours are a chance to walk off-the-beaten path away from tourist hot-spots, while tasting local foods.
Are the neighborhood tours safe for international travelers?
Yes, with the caveat that they take place in a local community without many other tourists. We personally vet all the neighborhoods and experiences, and we make sure that community leaders and members know our guides. All our youth guides are trained in safety precautions. Read our health and safety page for more information on how to stay safe on our tours.
Do the neighborhood tours include a meal, and can you accommodate dietary restrictions (e.g. vegetarian, gluten-free)?
All of our neighborhood tours include a meal. When booking, you’ll be asked to note any allergies or dietary needs. We’ll discuss your needs with the youth guide so that they can advise you on how to eat safely during the tour. Read our health and safety page for more information.
What should I bring on a tour?
Bring your appetite and a smile! In general, we advise that you do not bring valuables, and if possible, avoid bringing any purse. Bags with cross-body straps or money holders that you can hide under clothes are best. For more information on neighborhood tours, check out our blogs.
Is the guide with me at all times?
Yes. Our guide is with you 100% of the tour.
How do you select your youth guides?
Jiranileo trains youth as our guides, giving them opportunities to enter the tourism sector. To find these youth, we post open applications and accept referrals, often working with local training institutions and non-profits. We interview each youth and then provide training, mentored practicals, and certification. Do you know a youth or a youth group that might be a perfect fit for Jiranileo? Send us the referral here.
Are your youth guides paid fairly?
Yes, our youth guides are paid fairly for every tour. We benchmark rates based on local metrics for each country, such as the cost of a post-secondary certificate, and review pay scales frequently with guides to ensure that they make a fair profit. Read our responsible tourism page for more information.