Town in North-West District, Botswana
Maun
Dusty safari gateway for the Okavango Delta: mokoro trips, flights over the delta and Moremi and Makgadikgadi tours. Costs for safaris are high; the town itself is basic and spread out.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$777–1,270Comfortable, one person · P11,000–18,000Details
- Value for money89/100Better value than 88% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–OctWarmest: Oct, 37°CDetails
- Internet52 MbpsFixed broadband, Botswana medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilTown water is treated but varies; lodges use filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$21–42Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundinDriveYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards in lodges, supermarkets and larger restaurants; cash for combis, craft markets and small shops.Details
Where to stay in Maun
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Maun Old Bridge | Riverside camps and lodges near the Thamalakane River |
| Maun airport and Riverside | Safari operators, flights and shops |
| Shorobe and Matlapaneng | Camps and cheaper stays just outside town |
Apps that work in Maun
Food delivery apps don't cover this area.
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| inDrive | Listed for Botswana; availability in Maun is limited |
- Maps: Google Maps (download offline maps)
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Tracks4Africa: Offline maps for 4x4 and bush tracks
- Taxis: Taxis are scarce at night; book through your lodge. Agree fares before getting in.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Botswana.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards in lodges, supermarkets and larger restaurants; cash for combis, craft markets and small shops. ATMs in town.
- Currency: Pula (BWP). US$1 ≈ P14.16 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs in Gaborone, Francistown, Maun and Kasane; few elsewhere, so withdraw before heading out.
- Tipping: About 10% in restaurants; lodges usually have a shared tip box plus a separate tip for your guide.
- Paying by phone: Tap-to-pay cards work in towns and lodges; mobile money (Orange Money, MyZaka) is mostly for residents.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Passport must be valid 6 months with 3 blank pages; make sure it gets an entry stamp, as unstamped passports raise suspicion.
- Minors need full birth certificates, plus a consent affidavit from any parent not travelling.
- Bring a yellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk country; Ebola health screening applies to arrivals from affected regions.
Emergency numbers
Police 999 · Ambulance 997 · Fire 998
Plugs
Type D, G, M · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Mascom and Orange shops in Gaborone, Maun and Kasane malls; passport needed. No coverage in much of the Delta and Kalahari. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Botswana
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.