Maun
Maun is a pleasant if rather featureless little town which acts as the
major hub for safari in Botswana.
In decades gone by there was a lot more water in this area. Lodges which were built along the Okavango waterfront have been left high and dry as the delta recedes westward, giving the place a kind of ghost town feel.
Since almost all decent safari in the region is now done by air, the majority of travellers pass through Maun airport without stopping to even take a look around, never mind stay the night.
There is therefore very little in the way of decent accommodation here.
Bettys Guesthouse
Also known as 'Discovery Bed and Breakfast', this small grass-walled compound
seems to be located in scrubland in the middle of nowhere to the north
of town. Actually this is a posh residential suburb by Maun standards.
Once you get inside, it is clear that this really is a nice little place. Local lady Betty clearly has a sense of style.
This is a fun and relatively low cost place to stay, although these days we end up including a night in Maun extremely rarely.
Tree Lodge
Tree
Lodge is situated a fair distance south of Maun on a small private game
reserve and is undoubtedly the best lodge in the Maun area.
Very much in the style of a safari lodge, there are seven tented rooms and pleasant public areas centred around a pool.
However the concept behind the lodge seems to be fundamentally flawed, since most guests in this price range do not need to overnight in Maun. We therefore very rarely find the need to include Tree Lodge in a trip.
Audi Camp
Large camp situated on the dry river channel adjacent to the main road north out of town. Specialises in low cost accommodation and safaris for overland visitors.
Crocodile Camp
Large camp situated on the dry river channel adjacent to the main road north out of town. Specialises in low cost accommodation and safaris for overland visitors.
Island Safari Lodge
Large camp situated on the dry river channel adjacent to the main road north out of town. Specialises in low cost accommodation and safaris for overland visitors.
Rileys Hotel
Located in the centre of the town, Rileys is one of those historic old staging posts which has declined into a rather unattractive middle market blandness.
The hotel boasts 51 rooms, bars and restaurants, hair salon, curio shop and a swimming pool.
Contents: Bettys Guesthouse, Tree Lodge, Rileys Hotel, Island Safari Lodge, Crocodile, Audi Camp