Maun.
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Overview

Maun is an important village in Botswana, the "tourism capital" of Botswana, and major gateway to the Okavango Delta. In 2021, it was home to about 85,000 people.

Understand

It has shopping centres, hotels and lodges as well as car hire services, although it retains a rural atmosphere and local tribesmen continue to bring their cattle to Maun to sell. The community is distributed along the wide banks of the Thamalakane where red lechwe can still be seen grazing next to local donkeys, goats and cattle.

Get in

By plane FlyNamibia also flies to Maun from Windhoek.

By car You can get to Maun using the highway from Francistown. At Nata, take the A3. (It is well sign-posted.)

By bus There are daily buses from the bus rank in Gaborone to Maun at 05:30, 07:00, and 11:30 (recommend catching the 05:30 one, if you wish to get to Maun before dark). However, it’s a good idea to double check with the locals if the departure times have changed. Tickets are purchased on board and cannot be purchased in advance. The bus ride takes 9 to 10 hr.

If you get the first (08:30) bus out of Maun you will probably make it through to Windhoek in one day. There are also buses from Maun towards Shakawe (P141, 6 hr) and the Caprivi Strip.

If you want to travel from Maun to Kasane, it's best to get a Francistown/Gaborone bus and get off at Nata, where you can catch a northbound bus towards Kasane. The same thing works in the opposite direction; either way you'll need to start out as early as possible to be assured of making the connection.

The buses on major routes are pretty nice compared to many other African countries, but still not exactly luxurious: 5 non-reclining seats in a row, little leg-room and no bathrooms (however, they generally make frequent stops that are long enough to use a bathroom at the bus station). Smaller buses are even less comfortable and more likely to fill up completely. If travelling during the winter (Jun, Jul, and Aug) make sure to dress in layers, since it is freezing cold in the morning and toasty hot in the afternoon.

Get around

The core of Maun, say from Riley's Hotel to the airport, is walkable, but usually hot. Further out than that — and a number of popular camps are to the north-east of town — you will want to get a ride.

There is a roundabout just a few hundred metres northeast of Riley's Hotel and the Tourist office. It is a useful reference point. From here, Tesheko Tsheko road runs southwest past Riley's to the bus station and market (at Tsaro St, ~1.5 km). Sekgoma Road runs southeast, crossing the Thamalakane River, past the Maun Education Park, and on to Francistown. Moeti Road runs northwest. And Sir Seretse Khama Road runs north to the Maun airport (~2.5 km), and thence to the popular camps, to Moremi, and to Shorobe.

Taxis and combis have blue licence plates. (Expect to pay P30 for a taxi to the camps north of town.) In this area, especially on relatively high-speed roads, available taxis will honk gently once to see if you are interested. To show that you want a taxi, stick your arm out parallel to the ground, perpendicular (and towards) the road, palm-down, and flap your fingers. (Raising your hand will probably also work, but the finger-flapping is the way the locals do it.)

Note that taxis do not have a central dispatch system. Thus, if you want to call a taxi to fetch you from somewhere a bit remote, you need to have the mobile number of a taxi driver. Also note that driving after dark is dangerous (due to animals on the road), so there will be fewer taxis running after dark.

Combis (vans) run from the bus station along ten specified routes. Route 1 north to the airport, and the camps north of town Route 7 southeast to Maun Educational Park

The following companies offer cars for hire. Car hire typically carries a per-km charge. If you are coming from outside Southern Africa, you may be able to get unlimited km allowance by making your reservation with an international company on their website.

Maun Self Drive 4x4. Backed up by in-country support, with extensive unparalleled knowledge of onroad and offroad routes, campsites and accommodation within Botswana.

Avis. Local office of the international chain.

Budget. Local office of the international chain.

Travel Adventures Botswana. Low mileage Toyota Landcruiser or Toyota Hilux, fully equipped for 4X4 safari rental. Drop off and collections available in Maun, Kasane, Gaborone and Windhoek.

Okavango scenic flights There are several small operators on or near the Maun airport. They provide a combination of transfers of tourists between Maun and safari camps in the Okavango, plus sightseeing flights, plus charter flights to other points. They mostly fly small, piston-engine propeller planes carrying three to 10 passengers (Cessna 206, Cessna 210, Cessna 172, and the like). Contact the operators in advance for a specific and updated quote, or to ask about charters to other destinations.

Delta Air. A fleet of seven aircraft flies 5,000 passengers per year. Has ties to Delta Camp and Oddballs.

Moremi Air. Based primarily in Maun, they also have one plane in Kasane. Their charter and sightseeing range includes Livingstone, Victoria Falls, Lusaka, Windhoek, Gaborone, and Johannesburg.

Mack Air. A well-regarded operator, independent of the camps. Also offer charter service to Kasane, Windhoek, Livingstone, Francistown, and Gaborone.

Sefofane. The largest of the air operators. They are affiliated with Wilderness Safaris, and thus fly most of Wilderness Safari's clients. Sefofane also gives flight instruction.

Helicopters Horizons. Offers flights in helicopters instead of fixed-wing aircraft. This is a great experience!

Merlin Air Services. Not an air operator themselves, Merlin has a long history as a booking agent and communications relay for tour and aircraft operators.

Safari Air. Primarily does the transfers for Desert and Delta Safaris lodges.

Do

Maun is a prime take-off location for safaris into the Okavango Delta, Parks and Game Reserves. Moremi Game Reserve, a world class game reserve, is 80 km away. It offers undisturbed game viewing in varies woodland plains environments.

Mokoro trip. A mokoro trip in a traditional dugout canoe with a poler that pushes you through the waterways of the Okavango delta is combined with an overnight stay, camping or hiking. Any travel agency can arrange this.

Gym: If you want to work out, there is a gym with day passes behind Hilary's (or rather, behind the naturopath next door to Hilary's).

Gumasema Adventures & Safaris. A mobile safari operator based in Maun. The offices are in Old Mall on top of Multichoice on the first floor. The company offers various kinds of outings, such as day trips to Moremi Game Reserve, Nxai Pan National Park, Tsodilo Hills, Gchiwaha and Mokoro excursions in Boro/Daunara. Gumasema Adventures & Safaris also does overnight camping trips which can be as long as 14 days.

Buy

There are several souvenir stores right around the airport, including Bush Telegraph, and Jazella's.

Motsana - Matlapaneng. Motsana is a cultural centre in Maun that boasts 7 shops, 2 dance studios, a coffee shop, stage & open air courtyard. Its strives to provide locals and tourists with entertainment, shopping, food & drink within the walls of a unique yet spectacular piece of architecture!

Botswana Quality Baskets. Buy some baskets or learn to weave.

Eat

Bon Arrivee is just across the street from the airport. International breakfasts, lunches, dinner and a full range of refreshments await you. Audi Camp has a great open kitchen, where you can watch your meal being cooked. You eat under one of the largest thatch roofs you may ever see. Try Hilary's Coffee Shop near the airport - cheap and cheerful, a regular lunchtime spot for locals because the menu is full of delicious homemade dishes. The menu shows real imagination. Whether planning to eat outdoors on the verandah or inside get there early to enjoy the greatest selection. Sports Bar is good for a more formal, European style dining experience. Try local dishes such as papa (maize meal- the staple food), magunya (Fried dough balls- available for around 50 thebe), seswa (shredded meat- usually beef or goat), morogo (green, leafy vegetable similar to spinach). These foods are available ready made at most supermarkets or at local eateries such as "Choice" across from Riley's Garage. If you're feeling adventurous, in season, mopane worms (the caterpillar of the mopane moth) are also available in many different forms- dried and salted, stewed or fried. Food is also available at River Lodge, The Bridge Backpackers, Tamalakane Lodge, and Crocodile Camp all of which, along with Audi camp, are popular places to stay for backpackers. French Connection on Mophane Avenue serves bistro style food, croissants, etc. Don't be put off by the simple-looking entrance and sign - this place is awesome. The owners are very friendly, and they grind all their own herbs and spices and prepare all food from scratch. Their shawarmas are to die for and coupled with their home-made lemonade there is nothing better you could ask for in the sunshine. The eating area is well shaded and relaxed, with basic furniture and serene atmosphere. RAW serves smoothies, wraps and other healthfood. Nice, different concept for Botswana, doesn't feel like it is in the middle of an African village.

Sedia Riverside Hotel. Have a delicious meal either in the Dining Room or relax at their Poolside Terrace

Arts Cafe. Petite coffee shop offering a variety of food and drink. Patrons sit in an open courtyard set in the center of a unique piece of architecture, Mauns Castle.

Drink

Trekkers Nightclub - It is popular primarily with the locals. Ex-pats will warn you not to go, but is perfectly safe if you're reasonably cautious. Bar 2000

Wine and Dine. Great way to try a lot of different local dishes at one time! As well as a Mopane worm if you are up for the challenge!

Sleep

There are a couple of hotels (most notably Riley's) and some unimpressive B&Bs in Maun proper. A number of campsites and hotels popular with travellers are clustered on the road to Moremi and Shorobe, about 6-10 km north-east of Maun Airport. The landmark for this cluster is a roundabout on the south side of the Thamalakane River, just after the road crosses from the north side.

Sedia Riverside Hotel. In large grounds on the banks of the Thamalakane River. The rooms have ensuite bath but also colourful African decor. Chalets have one or two bedrooms with air conditioning and satellite TV. There is also a campsite. They also offer the largest swimming pool in town, a terrace bar, an indoor bar, and a dining room. Plenty of birds to watch.

Audi Camp. Offers camping, bedded tents, and a self catering house for larger groups. Restaurant on site. Makes an effort to employ local businesses and return wealth to the community. Transfers to town, safaris, and excursions available.

Okavango River Lodge. Simple accommodation, camping, trips into the Okavango Delta. Good if you enjoy a party but can be noisy.

The Old Bridge Backpackers. A unique, comfortable and historic surrounding and friendly owners. Bar can be noisy. No dorms.

Crocodile Camp. Beautiful chalets, peaceful atmosphere and campiste for overlanders/backpackers.

Motsentsela Tree Lodge. Perfect if you are looking to get away from it all. In a bush setting, peaceful, luxurious and pristine.

Riley's Hotel. Maun's oldest hotel is centrally located and ideal for the business traveller with conference rooms etc. it has a small pool with an abr and plenty of seating. The restaurant does amazing traditional meals and also the regulars. Oxtail and pap or chicken mayo sandwiches with chips - absolutely delicious. There is also a curio shop at reception, and the hotel is close to Riley's garage and a couple of the local shops.

Motsebe Backpackers Hostel. Camping with own tent and dorm beds.

Laha Hotel. A self-catering hotel along one of Maun's major routes. Ample parking space for your vehicle.