Things to Do in Maun

Maun sits at the edge of the Kalahari Desert, serving as the gateway to the Okavango Delta and earning its reputation as Botswana's tourism capital. The town itself might not win any beauty contests - it's dusty, sprawling, and has the practical feel of a frontier outpost - but that's actually part of its charm. You'll find safari operators on every corner, small aircraft buzzing overhead constantly, and a genuine sense that you're at the jumping-off point for one of Africa's last great wilderness experiences. The contrast is striking: one moment you're buying supplies at a modern shopping center, the next you're boarding a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) to glide through pristine wetlands where elephants drink at sunset.

Maun's dining scene reflects its role as a safari hub - lots of hearty fare designed to fuel adventures, with a mix of local and international options. Hillary's Coffee Shop serves decent Western breakfast and has reliable wifi, while Bon Arrivee offers surprisingly good French-influenced cuisine. The local favorite is definitely seswaa (slow-cooked beef) served with pap, which you'll find at various local spots around town. Most of the river lodges serve excellent buffet meals, and if you're heading out on safari, packed lunches are the norm rather than expecting restaurants in the bush.

The dry season from May to October offers the most comfortable weather and best game viewing, as animals concentrate around permanent water sources. That said, it's also peak season with higher prices and more crowds. The green season (November to April) brings afternoon thunderstorms, lush landscapes, and excellent bird watching, plus significantly lower accommodation rates. Water levels in the delta peak around June-August, which is ideal for mokoro trips but can make some areas inaccessible by vehicle.