The Gateway To The Okavango Delta

If you’re visiting northern Botswana, chances are that you’ll be stopping in Maun for at least a day. It’s the gateway to the Okavango Delta and it’s positioned on the southern tip of one of the waterways that finger out from this ecological wonder. It’s the last vestige of civilization before things get really wild.

That’s not to say that Maun has no wildlife of its own. Bisected by the Thamalakane River, which skirts the southeastern reaches of the delta, Maun’s waterways are home to a large variety of birdlife, pods of hippo, and many species of antelope. But it’s the delta lite, and you’re more likely to come across a waterlogged cow than a leaping lechwe on a river cruise.

Still, it’s a vital stopover for self-drivers. Besides having ATMs, shops, fuel, tyre repair (a stop at Riley’s Garage covers most of these), welders (we recommend Kavango Engineering), and accommodation, it’s where visitors to Botswana’s northern parks and reserves, such as Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, can pay park fees at the DWNP and organize campsite bookings with various operators and safari groups in town.

WHERE TO STAY

Camping on the Thamalakane River is best. Old Bridge Backpackers has camping and it has a vibey bar. +267-686-2406, www.maun-backpackers.com (S19° 56.678′ E23° 29.303′). Then there is the tranquil Maun Rest Camp +267-7298-3184, www.maunrestcamp.com (S19° 56.587′ E23° 29.150′). Audi Camp has spacious sites. +267-6860599, www.audicamp.com (S19° 56.030′ E23° 30.543′).

points of interest

DWNP (S19° 59.056′ E23° 25.844′), Kwalate Safaris (S19° 58.672′ E23° 25.886′) Xomae Group (S19° 58.615′ E23° 25.830′), SKL Group (S19° 57.989′ E23° 27.037′), Khwai Development Trust and Botswana Tourism (S19° 58.696′ E23° 25.460′), Kavango Engineering (S20° 02.615′ E23° 27.004′), Viking Gas (S20° 00.745′ E23° 25.906′), Riley’s Garage (S19° 59.302′ E23° 25.553′)