What does a culinary tour look like and where does it take place? What does it involve?
Culinary tourism also known as food tourism is a type of travel focused on exploring new cultures through tasting different cousins. It involves seeking out unique and authentic food experiences for example visiting vineyards and brewing, visiting local markets, participating in traditional cooking classes, tasting local dishes and eating from famous local restaurants. Culinary Tours in Uganda take place in all four regions of the country.
Uganda therefore is known as a spice for tourism due to its diverse attractions and beautiful scenery hence called “the pearl of Africa”. Since culinary tourists seek to understand the traditions, history and techniques behind the foods they enjoy, Uganda is a true destination to explore since it consists of over 50 unique traditional cultures.
In addition to this, the country’s fertile soils produce an abundance of fresh produce of all kinds and these include banana/matoke, potatoes, Cassava, beans, cowpeas, peanuts, organic fruits and more. The large and small water bodies such as Lake Victoria, Lake George Edward and more are homes for different fish including tilapia and Nile perch which are common to most common diets.
The major regions with their culinary highlight.
Central Uganda.
Central Uganda which is referred to as “the heartland for matoke”. This is the region dominated by the Buganda kingdom and the capital city of Uganda-Kampala. The heartland for matoke means that the dominant kingdom has their staple food as steamed greed matoke in the banana leaves. These plants originated from this region to other areas of the country.
This food is normally served with “Luwombo” ( a traditional dish where meat, peanuts, fish or chicken) is steamed in banana leaves. This is the True authentic way of enjoying the Baganda traditional meals. This can be found in local restaurants in Central Uganda or at any cultural homestay centre.
Eastern Uganda.
This region comprises different districts the major ones Mbale and Jinja which offer a distinct culinary experience. Mbale is known for its delicious “Malewa” from bamboo shoots collected around Sipi Falls and this is a delicious stew among the Bagishu. On the other hand, Jinja known as the source of the Nile is a home of fresh fish dishes. A visit to the local markets in this town offers you a chance to explore and taste snacks like fried doughnuts (Mandazi), chapati (flat bread) and more.
Northern Uganda.
Northern Uganda offers different flavours of food profiles since there are different cultures as Acholi, langi, Alur, and more. With an emphasis on millet, Sim Sim, sorghum, and more. Lira and Gulu are the prominent areas for delicacy in Northern Uganda. Visitors can try atapa (millet bread and boo (a green vegetable cooked with groundnuts). This can be found in all restaurants in Lira and Gulu towns.
Western Uganda.
This region is referred to as the land of honey and milk and this is because the locals here practice pastoralism and garden farming hence great to combine food crops and dairy products like cow ghee, milk and more. For the case of Banyankole in Mbarara town have a delicious Eshabwe source served with matoke or millet, the Bakonzo have Sombe (Cassava leaves) served with Cassava bread, the Batooro have Firinda (smashed beans) and omukaro (smoked beef mixed with mushrooms and cow ghee) served with millet bread and more other tribes.
How to Experience Culinary Tours in Uganda?
Local market tours and traditional cooking classes are one of the days to taste the Uganda cousins through visiting prominent local markets like Owino and Nakasero markets in Kampala and then purchasing some to prepare at home. Cooking classes will follow after a market visit and here learn about peeling matoke, mingling millet and more. While on the market tour, you can taste fresh Rolex (chapati and eggs) the Ugandan common street food.
Traditional festivals and feasts such as the Nyege Nyege festival in eastern Uganda, the Empango festival in Tooro kingdom (Fort portal), the Buganda cultural festival in Kampala and more, all display the true cultural cousins of the region. The celebrations are accompanied by traditional music and dances.
Homestay experiences are the best way to enjoy culinary tours as you take part in the daily way of experiencing the way of life through participating in daily meal preparation and consumption. The locals teach tourists from the garden to the plate that is from harvesting to cooking and then to tasting using traditional tools.
Culinary Tours in Uganda offer a unique way of exploring the unique way of cultural heritage and diverse landscape through food. As you have seen, each region offers its distinctive in terms of cuisine. Book a culinary tour in Uganda with us and explore the real African delicacy while creating memories.