Mbunza Living Museum

About 14 kilometers west of Rundu, the Mbunza Living Museum offers visitors a rare opportunity to step back in time and experience the traditional lifestyle of the Mbunza people, one of the Kavango communities of Namibia. This open-air museum is both a cultural learning center and a community-run project that helps preserve local traditions while providing income for the villagers.

A Glimpse into the Past

Located near scenic Samsitu Lake, the museum is built like a traditional Mbunza village, using only natural materials. Everyone involved wears handmade leather garments, just like their ancestors did. Visitors get to see and take part in daily life as it was before colonial times—from cooking over an open fire and weaving baskets to going on bushwalks and fishing trips. More specialized skills like pottery, blacksmithing, and drum-making are also demonstrated.

How to Get There

From Rundu, take the B10 road toward Nkurenkuru. After about 10 km, look for the sign to the Mbunza Living Museum. Follow the gravel road another 4 km and you’ll reach the site.

Available Programs:

Short Cultural Tour:
Learn about Mbunza daily life and traditions. Try your hand at traditional cooking and crafts, then join a short bushwalk and fishing session. The visit ends with lively singing, dancing, and games.
Half-Day Experience:
Spend a full day immersed in the traditional lifestyle of the Mbunza. You’ll see how clothes, jewelry, baskets, and mats are made. You can also try pottery, blacksmithing, or carving. Take part in a bushwalk to discover the local plants and fishing techniques. The day ends with performances and traditional games.
Craft Workshop:
Focus on traditional Mbunza crafts like pottery, weaving, and metalwork. Choose what you’d like to create—be it a pot, spear, knife, basket, or necklace. While you work, you’ll hear traditional stories and learn more about the Mbunza’s cultural roots and beliefs.

The Mbunza Living Museum is more than just a tourist stop—it's a meaningful cultural exchange and a way to help keep the heritage of the Kavango people alive.