Maun, set on the banks of the beautiful Thamalakane River in northern Botswana, is the third-largest town in this spectacularly scenic southern African country and arguably the most important tourism hub in Botswana. Once a dusty outpost for intrepid travelers and old-school hunting outfits, Maun today is the center of Botswana’s thriving safari industry. Despite recent modernizations, it retains a frontier-town feel, with local ranchers coming here to trade cattle. Maun is filled with charter airlines and safari companies, as well as craft workshops and markets.
For many tourists, Maun is the point of entry into the Okavango Delta, and often into Botswana, with direct flights from both Johannesburg and Gaborone. It serves as the ideal starting point for trips to this bucket list destination. It is an excellent home base to kick off your bucket list adventures, or relax in between stints in the bush.
The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-see destination accessible from Maun.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Maun is the administrative center of Ngamiland District and the seat of power of the Batawana people. Following a chieftainship dispute in the late 18th century, Kgosi (chief) Tawana and his people left Serowe and settled in Ngamiland, first establishing their capital at Lake Ngami, then Toteng, Maun then Tsao and finally, in 1915, in Maun.
Ngamiland District comprises a fascinating variety of ethnic groups: the Hambukushu, Basubiya and Bayei - all of central African origins, who know the Okavango intimately, having expertly exploited and utilized its abundant resources for centuries. Frequently, the ‘people’ side of the Okavango is overlooked, with tourists merely using Maun as a transit point to embark for the Delta. However, exploring the traditional villages along the western fringes of the Delta, in the panhandle area, is worth the time and effort, and for many tourists, becomes a real highlight of their travels in Botswana.
Read also: African Safari in Botswana: When to Go?
The dramatic surge in the numbers of tourists coming to Botswana in the 1980s brought equally dramatic changes to Maun. Today you can enjoy wilderness and wildlife by day and watch high-tech DvDs by night, or walk into old government offices straight out of the colonial era. A two-to-three-hour tour to Sixaxa, a Bayei village about 30 minutes drive from Maun, familiarizes visitors with traditional village life; they are invited to participate in typical chores, such as pounding maize or cooking over an open fire.
Getting to Maun
Of Botswana’s tourist destinations, Maun might be the most straightforward to reach.
By Air
Maun International Airport (MUB) is the primary entry point for international travelers. Major airlines such as Air Botswana, South African Airways, and Mack Air offer direct flights to Maun from cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Gaborone. It’s also a big hub for chartered flights into the Okavango Delta or Moremi Game Reserve, becoming one of Africa’s busiest airports during peak season.
By Road
Maun is accessible via well-maintained roads from major cities in Botswana. The drive from Gaborone, the capital, is approximately 870km and takes about 10-12 hours. If you’re coming from Namibia, it’s also possible to get to Maun in a day. There unfortunately isn’t too much to do in between these two cities, so many travelers try to complete the journey in a day or two. From Windhoek, you’ll want to take a shared taxi to Gobabis, then try to find a taxi or hitch a ride to the border. From the border, you can take a taxi to the village of Charles Hill and catch a bus to Ghanzi. Maun is also right along Botswana’s main circular highway, about halfway in between Nata and Ghanzi.
By Boat
While less common, some adventurous travelers opt to arrive in Maun via boat along the Thamalakane River.
Read also: Botswana or Kenya: Which is Better?
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Maun depends on your priorities:
- Dry Season (April to October): This is the best time for wildlife viewing, as animals congregate around the dwindling water sources. The weather is generally warm during the day and cool at night, making it ideal for outdoor activities. Contrary to it being Dry The Okavango Delta’s water levels rise in this time attracting more wildlife to areas flooded with water.
- Wet Season (November to March): The wet season transforms the landscape into a lush, green paradise, attracting a myriad of bird species. While rain showers are frequent, they are usually short-lived.
Explore The Okavango Delta in Botswana | Rhino Africa
Accommodation Options
Maun offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences.
- Golentle Homestay: Budget-friendly rooms with exceptional hospitality.
- Old Bridge Backpackers: A popular hostel choice.
- Motsebe Backpackers: Another recommended hostel.
- Audi Camp: Campsite further outside of Maun, ideal if you have your own car and camping equipment.
- Delta Rain: Caters to a higher-end crowd but also has budget-friendly camping options.
Getting Around Maun
Normal taxis operate on a set route, and basically serve as the public transportation for Maun. They’ll go in a loop around the city, or up and down a main road of Maun. The fare is 8 pula for a ride.
On the outside, special taxis look no different than normal taxis. They are the exact same on the outside, but if you request a destination that is outside the normal taxi’s set route, then it becomes a special taxi. If there are other people in the taxi with you, you’ll have to wait for them to get off or wait for the next taxi.
Things to Do in and Around Maun
The town of Maun itself doesn’t have too much to do, but it is the gateway to many of Botswana’s most bucket-list worthy adventures. When coming to Maun as it is well known as a gateway to the Okavango Delta, Maun gives you a range of options to explore the flora and fauna of the area.
Read also: Southern Africa Honeymoon
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest inland deltas. Known for its incredible biodiversity, the delta offers a range of activities including mokoro (dugout canoe) trips, walking safaris, and game drives. The Okavango Delta is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and ranks as one of the best experiences I had in all of Africa. It is truly so different than anything I’d done before.
Tours can be arranged in a variety of ways. At Golentle Homestay, it costs 3,000 pula per person for an overnight trip, with a minimum of two people. This was the cheapest per-person rate I found. If you’d like to go alone, you’ll have to cover the additional 3,000 pula.
If you’re looking to do it as cheaply as possible, you’ll want to sort everything out yourself. It will also help if you have a group to split the costs with. You’ll need to head to the Mokoro Community Trust and arrange directly with the guides there. Next, you’ll have to arrange for a taxi to pick you up and drive you to the village of Daunara in the morning and back to Maun in the afternoon. The taxi is surprisingly the biggest cost, as it takes two hours of driving each way into the middle of the bush. Find some people to split the cost with, though, and it’s by far the cheapest way to experience the Delta. A popular way to experience the Okavango Delta is from the skies with a helicopter flight.
Explore the Okavango Delta in a traditional mokoro canoe.
Moremi Game Reserve
Located within the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve is renowned for its rich wildlife and scenic beauty. The reserve offers excellent opportunities for game viewing, bird watching, and photography. For one of Botswana’s top safari experiences, consider a trip to Moremi Game Reserve. A tapestry of islands, swamps, reeds and channels, Moremi is home to over 400 bird species along with the Big Five. Come to Moremi for some of the finest wildlife viewing in southern Africa.
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans cover large swathes of northern Botswana, and some of the most famous salt pans are within a few hours of driving from Maun. Tours can be arranged from Maun, although they aren’t as popular as safaris to the Okavango and Moremi. You might have to ask around to find one.
Maun Educational Park
Situated on the outskirts of Maun, this park is perfect for families and those looking to explore Botswana’s flora and fauna on foot.
Thamalakane River
The Thamalakane River flows through Maun, offering beautiful scenery and opportunities for boat cruises. The Thamalakane River offers excellent fishing opportunities. Area attractions include a renowned riverboat that offers cruises up and down the Thamalakane River.
Activities
- Join guided safari tours to explore the rich wildlife of the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve.
- Maun is a paradise for bird watchers, with over 400 species recorded.
- Learn about the local culture with visits to nearby villages such as Boro and Xaxaba.
- Experience the breathtaking landscape of the Okavango Delta from above with a scenic flight.
Nightlife
I was surprised to find that Maun had a very lively nightlife scene. For a small city, they really knew how to party. Southern Africans are very proud of their drinking culture, and Botswana is no different. I couldn’t go 15 minutes without someone offering to buy me a drink. The people here are incredibly welcoming and want to make sure you have a great time.
Shopping in Maun
Shopping options are constantly expanding in Maun, and it hosts a number of conventional arts and crafts shops that sell a variety of products from Botswana and other African countries. Most are situated in the centre of Maun or at the airport. Nhabe Museum: Visit the museum’s shop for handcrafted items such as baskets, jewelry, and textiles made by local artisans. Several curio shops around town sell traditional crafts, art, and jewelry. For more conventional shopping, Maun Mall offers a variety of stores selling clothing, electronics, and groceries. A new Development, Mall of Maun brings more options for travelers, in case you need to add to your wardrobe while in Maun, it’s the best place to visit for your shopping. New mall in Maun also offers different products, grocery stores.
Maun has a variety of traditional artisans. Along the roads and in small markets you can find wood carvings, wall hangings, and metalwork, but what Botswana is known for is weaving. These intricately woven baskets are strikingly beautiful and range in size from as small as a dinner plate to as large as a piece of luggage. You can spend a day learning traditional weaving skills at Botswana Quality Baskets. You may not finish a whole basket during your class, but you will have the materials to continue weaving after the lesson is over.
Dining in Maun
- Dusty Donkey: Known for its diverse menu, and one of the best places to get your Coffee.
- The Duck: For a great taste of international cuisine, The Duck is just the place to have your meal.
For a quick and authentic bite, explore the street food stalls around town. Popular snacks include vetkoek (fried dough) and Mogodu (An African dish of offal.). There are two main dishes that are considered local. Seswaa is meat (beef, mutton, or game) that is boiled for hours until tender, then served with maize meal (called pap) and greens. For the more adventurous there are mopane worms, which are pinky-size caterpillars of the mopane moth. Mopane worms are boiled then fried and taste, at least to me, like dirty leaves.
Health and Safety
- It’s recommended to take anti-malarial medication when visiting Maun, especially during the wet season.
- Ensure your vaccinations are up to date, including hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and yellow fever if traveling from an endemic area.
- Maun is generally safe, but it’s wise to take common precautions such as not walking alone at night and keeping valuables secure.
Essential Information
- Currency: The currency used in Botswana is the Botswana Pula (BWP). Credit cards are widely accepted, but it’s advisable to carry some cash for smaller transactions.
- Language: English is the official language and is widely spoken.
- Electricity: The standard voltage is 230V, and the plug types used are D, G, and M.
Tips for Travelers
- Pack Accordingly: Bring lightweight, breathable clothing for the day and warmer layers for the evening.
- Respect Wildlife: Always keep a safe distance from animals and follow the guidelines provided by your guide.
- Embrace the Experience: Maun offers a unique blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty.
Maun, Botswana, is a destination that promises unforgettable experiences, whether you’re exploring the vast wilderness of the Okavango Delta or engaging with the local culture. With its rich history, diverse activities, and welcoming hospitality, Maun is the perfect place for an African adventure.
| From | To | Driving Time |
|---|---|---|
| Maun | Okavango Delta | Varies depending on location within the Delta |
| Maun | Moremi Game Reserve | 2-4 hours |
| Maun | Makgadikgadi Salt Pans | 3-5 hours |
| Gaborone | Maun | 10-12 hours |
Popular articles:
tags: #Africa
