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1 / 4Elevation
960 m
Ideal stay
4 days
Nearest airport
Maun International Airport (MUB), on-site; Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone, 370 km south; Kasane International Airport (BBW), 200 km north serving Chobe National Park
Nearest town: Maun town center, 5 km south — Botswana's main tourist hub and gateway to northern safari destinations, offering restaurants, shops, banks, and accommodation ranging from budget hostels to luxury lodges
Airport entry is free. Safari costs vary by destination: Moremi Game Reserve entry is $20 per adult per day; Makgadikgadi Pans is $14 per adult per day; Chobe National Park entry is typically $50 per vehicle per day. Daily safari packages including accommodation, meals, and game drives range from $250-$500 per person in budget camps to $1,000+ in luxury lodges. Light aircraft charters to Okavango Delta camps cost $300-$600 per person return trip. Most travelers spend 3-7 days on safari after arriving at Maun.
Peak dry season (May-October) offers excellent wildlife viewing with cooler temperatures (15-22°C) and concentrated animal herds at water sources. October is optimal for fishing safaris in the Okavango Delta. Shoulder months (April, November) provide good wildlife viewing with fewer visitors and lower prices. Wet season (November-March) brings lush vegetation and bird migrations but increases malaria risk and creates muddy roads. Most travelers visit during May-October when conditions are ideal for game drives and boat safaris.
Northern Botswana reserves host all Big Five animals: African elephants in herds of 50+, lions, leopards (especially on night drives), buffalo, and rhinoceros. Additional species include hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles, African wild dogs, spotted hyenas, plains zebras, blue wildebeest, and over 500 bird species including fish eagles and crowned cranes. Makgadikgadi Pans offers habituated meerkats and hyenas. Migration timing varies: zebra and wildebeest migrate through Makgadikgadi during wet season (November-February) when pans fill with water.
International flights arrive from Johannesburg (South Africa) on Airlink, with flights typically 2.5-3 hours. Direct connections also run from Cape Town (under 3 hours). From Maun airport, shuttle buses, taxis, and ride-hailing services transport you to town (5 km, 10-15 minutes). Light aircraft charters then connect you to isolated safari camps: Okavango Delta camps are 30-60 minutes by charter flight; Chobe National Park/Kasane is 200 km north by road (3-4 hours); Makgadikgadi Pans is 140 km southeast by road (2.5 hours). Most safari operators arrange ground transfers from the airport as part of package deals.
Yes, Maun and northern Botswana safaris are family-friendly with child-appropriate activities. Most safari lodges welcome children aged 5+ on game drives, though some camps restrict children under 12 on walking safaris for safety reasons. Family-friendly activities include mokoro (traditional canoe) trips in the Okavango Delta, meerkat encounters at Makgadikgadi Pans, and boat safaris on the Chobe River where viewing is safe from vehicles. Elephant Haven, a 35-minute drive from Maun, allows children to interact with rescued baby elephants under supervision. Lodges offer flexible meal times and activities suited to children's energy levels. Confirm age policies and available activities with your chosen operator before booking.
Minimum 3 days allows time for airport transfer, one full day of game drives or boat safaris, and return to the airport. Recommended duration is 4-7 days to fully experience multiple reserves: 2-3 days in Okavango Delta or Moremi Game Reserve, 2-3 days at Chobe National Park with boat safaris on the Chobe River, and 2-3 days at Makgadikgadi Pans for meerkat encounters and quad biking. Many travelers combine Botswana safaris with Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) or Namibia, extending total trip length to 10-14 days. Shorter stays (1-2 days) limit you to a single reserve and reduce wildlife encounter probability.
Most travelers stay in safari lodges within protected areas rather than in Maun itself. Budget options ($40-$100 per night) include tented camps in Moremi Game Reserve and basic lodges at Makgadikgadi. Mid-range options ($150-$400 per night) offer comfortable rooms with ensuite bathrooms in camps throughout the Okavango Delta and Chobe region. Luxury options ($500-$2,000+ per night) provide high-end tented suites or safari lodges with premium meals and guided experiences. Planet Baobab near Maun offers budget-friendly accommodation for overland travelers. If staying in Maun town itself, Thamalakane River Lodge offers riverside accommodation before onward charter flights. Most safari packages include accommodation, meals, and activities — book through verified operators.
Yes — Maun is Botswana's most important safari hub and the primary access point to world-class wildlife destinations. The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO-recognized wetland supporting the densest concentration of wildlife in Africa. Chobe National Park hosts the largest elephant population on the continent with exceptional boat safaris along the Chobe River. Makgadikgadi Pans offers a unique semi-arid wilderness experience with habituated meerkats and wet-season zebra migrations. Botswana's high-value, low-impact tourism model keeps visitor numbers low, meaning fewer crowds and more intimate wildlife encounters than major safari destinations. Light aircraft access to remote camps provides unparalleled exclusivity. Most visitors rate northern Botswana safaris among Africa's best wildlife experiences.
Guides are highly recommended and included in most safari package costs. Licensed guides possess expertise in wildlife identification, behavior, and safety protocols. They know where animals congregate seasonally and can interpret animal behavior and ecological relationships. Guided game drives are safer than self-driving in areas with large predators and dangerous wildlife. However, self-drive options exist: car rental is available at Maun airport for $50-$100 per day, and Moremi Game Reserve permits self-drive safaris. Self-driving requires a 4WD vehicle, navigation skills, and wildlife safety knowledge. Most first-time visitors benefit from guided packages, which include accommodation, meals, and structured activities — compare options on SafariFind before booking.
You can compare safari packages, read verified traveler reviews, and book through trusted operators on SafariFind.com. This lets you compare prices, itineraries, and accommodation types across multiple verified operators before committing. Most packages include ground transfers from Maun airport, accommodation in safari lodges, all meals, guided game drives or boat safaris, and park entry fees. Booking 2-3 months in advance ensures availability during peak season (May-October). SafariFind displays package details, operator ratings, and traveler feedback, helping you find the best value for your budget and interests. You can also contact operators directly once you've identified your preferred itinerary.
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