Travel to Maun

the transport hub for safari in the Okavango

Maun is the main gateway into concessions of the Okavango Delta, Nxai Pan, Central Kalahari and Makgadikgadi.

Most people start their trip by flying from Johannesburg up to Maun on a large plane, then change onto a light aircraft here for a short hop out to one of the camps in the vast wilderness areas beyond,

Maun is actually a rather pleasant little place. We particularly love the fact that you can stroll out from the airport, across the little road to a nice restaurant on the other side, where you can leave your bags on the sidewalk, without any worry about any hassle or crime.

The town itself is very spread out and functional. There’s no real centre, just various places of local importance, like the superstore, the pharmacy and the sports bar.

Like the surrounding safari areas, Maun is one of the sunniest places on earth, the climate here is really lovely for most of the year.

The climate is subtropical climate, with a cool Apr-Oct dry season and a less pleasant Nov-Mar hot rainy season.

Temperatures are usually very pleasant, but can drop to freezing at night during May-Aug.

Where to stay

Although we do like Maun and feel that it is a rare opportunity to insert lower cost nights into a Botswana trip, the vast majority of guests prefer to pass straight through.

If you do decide to stay, there are two or three decent lodges, all set on the east bank of the Thamalakane River, a 20-30 minute drive to the north or south of the airport.

a couple of decent lodges along the river