Traditional Cooking Class - Mahangu pap for beginners
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Windhoek, Namibia
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Learn how to cook typical and traditional local dishes in this cookery class that uses local ingredients and produce. Cook authentic mahangu pap—a millet-based bread dough—and a kapana meat grill, then eat your prepared meals with your tutor. Learn about how local farmers grow crops in the Namibian desert, and take home cookery skills to use at home.
- All food and drink is included in the class price
- Vegetarian options are available
- An opportunity to try local delicacies such as mopane worms and goat head
- Private tour—only you will take part
Sample Menu
Main
Kapana & Mahangu pap
What's Included
- Snacks
- Soda/Pop
- Lunch
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- Alcoholic Beverages
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 4 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Mary_A
The experience was truly a local gem. Miriam, our hostess, was a delight. Very warm and welcoming. She can sing, too! Food was very good-especially considering we ate items I had never had before! Our driver went out of his way to help make this experience a 5 star
Reviews
4.9
based on 59 reviews
Erica_Y, Apr 2026
Amazing experience! Renee did a great job of explaining all the different ingredients and dishes we made. Everything was very well organized and clean. This is a hands on cooking experience and one I will remember. One of the highlights of my Namibia journey. Thank you!
Mary_A, Sep 2025
The experience was truly a local gem. Miriam, our hostess, was a delight. Very warm and welcoming. She can sing, too! Food was very good-especially considering we ate items I had never had before! Our driver went out of his way to help make this experience a 5 star
Orissa_D, Jul 2025
Very interesting and tasty. Not everyones taste (worms and cow stomach). Iyaloo is very nice and explans every step of cooking. We had a great evening.
Morgan_S, Jul 2025
I had such a fantastic time at Iyaloo's Mahangu pap cooking class! It was incredibly authentic, and she made the whole experience feel relaxed and welcoming, like cooking and having lunch with a friend. I learned a lot and had the opportunity to cook and try mopane worms too. The cooking process was hands-on and ingredients were really fresh local produce. Make sure to try Iyaloo’s special sauces too!
If you’re looking for a taste of local Namibian culture and cuisine, and enjoy trying something new, I highly recommend this class. Thanks, Iyaloo, for an unforgettable experience!
Johannes_N, Dec 2024
It was a nice experience and we prepared a spicy lunch. I think it is a good group activity but it was also nice to have a personal cooking guide. With the pick up at the hostel it was also quite convenient
Kyle_H, Nov 2024
We had an amazing time doing the cooking class. True authentic local experience. Would definitely recommend it.
Sarah_G, Aug 2024
Great to get out of the tourist bubble and get a little insight into local cooking and life with Iyaloo and Linda.
My son and I cooked Omahangu pap (with millet), a meat stew with Edhingu (dried meat) and Matangara (tripe), Masbanker (horse mackeral) and a spinach and tomato dish.
All very clean, electricity (so, a working fridge) and lots of handwashing.
Margaret_I, Aug 2024
Loved learning about the ingredients of the foods we were preparing. Set us up well for meals later on the trip through Namibia. Wonderful all around cultural experience. Highly recommend. Enjoyed our time with Linda and Iyaloo.
Rani_B, Jun 2024
My sister and I booked this experience the day before flying home, and we could not wish for a better way to end our journey! Linda was truly the nicest host and knew a lot about the area and cooking. We had the most amazing time learning about local life and food, expanding our taste horizons, and experiencing Namibian hospitality. We left with a great experience, food ideas to cook for family back home and a new friend. Hope to see you soon Linda! Our kindest regards, Kara and Rani
David_C, Apr 2024
Linda was a great host and chef and taught me about the local cooking methods and traditional foods. We cooked a delicious lunch of traditcuisine including pap, spinach and fried fish.
All was done in in a comfy room of Iyaloo's house and restaurant - many thanks.
I'd do it again given the chance.
Many thanks Linda
Jennifer_E, Nov 2023
My cooking class was canceled so the company offered a Delicacy Food hopping tour that did not disappoint. Linda was a wonderful guide as she took me to several great locations where I got to sample several traditional dishes. She made it a great experience. Would definitely request her as a guide for my next trip.
Gary_C, Nov 2023
The driver who took me to the cooking class (Linda) was very nice. She stayed with me throughout the evening. The cook was a very kind person. She guided me through the cooking process. It was a great experience not only to eat the local food but also to have a hard in preparing it.
Patricia_R, Dec 2022
This was an amazing experience! I am not a cook by any means but I was able with the help of my tour guides to create an authentic Mahangu Meal and I had the pleasure of eating my first butterfly larva!
AnnMarie_D, Mar 2022
Annely was a great guide and knowledgable about the area. Betty instructed me in fixing a fantastic (if not huge!) meal that I will remember forever..and teach my family and friends how to make pap!
Response from Host, Apr 2022
It was our pleasure to cook and share a meal with you, AnnMarie. 😁 😋
It is wonderful that you will soon prepare porridge for friends and family.
Be well. 😁
Janina_L, Feb 2022
I've had a blast cooking with the guys from Anchor Adventures, our wonderful host and another visitor. I felt very welcome and it was a very open atmosphere and it goes without saying that the food was delicious. There is some room for improvemebts on the vegetarian side, but this was a minor issue for me. Also, the organisation was perfect.
Ausra_M, May 2021
Authentic home cooking experience in the suburbs of of Windhoek. Thanks to Sacky for showing us around and our cook for a super good fish with a “secret” sauce! And the worms, of cource😁
Response from Host, May 2021
It was our absolute pleasure to have and share a traditional cooking experience with you and your beautiful family.
Thanks again and be well. 😁🙏🏾
Franziska_K, Aug 2025
Authentic experience on the outskirts of the township. Despite request in advance as well as description online, a vegetarian option (so not chicken, fish or worms) was not really provided. We've learned about traditional dishes. Recooking is not possible because there was no recipe to take away and the instructor had prepared a lot and had also taken over a lot in the course or had not explained in detail. She was friendly, however, she has treated us in part very down from above. Drinks on site were cheap, but the free water was limited to one small bottle per person.
Pick-up worked without any problems, but the journey took around 45 minutes on the way out, during which we did not know if we really arrived at our destination.
Overall an exciting experience, but I wouldn't repeat it
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Bettina_D, Mar 2024
Einfach ein unglaubliches Erlebnis. Wenn man Lust hat Land, Tradition und Leute kennen zu lernen, unbedingt buchen.
Ganz tolle ungeschminkte Lokation, nette und sehr liebenswerte Gastgeberin (Petrina). Man lernt in kurzer Zeit viel über lokale Essgewohnheit, und dieses mit viel Spaß. Falls Interesse an lokalen Gewürze etc. besteht, werde diese ohne großen Aufwand besorgt. Der Tourguide (Andrew) steht jederzeit mit Rat und, falls nötig, mit Übersetzung zur Verfügung.
Einfach ein großartiges Erlebnis.
Jana_S, Aug 2022
Die Zubereitung der Speisen ging schnell und das Essen war sehr lecker. Auch der Kontakt war sehr aufgeschlossen und freundlich. Wir hatten an dem Abend sehr viel Spaß zusammen.
From $57.59
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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