NEAR TOWN
There’s no campsite, but they have rooms and friendly service if you arrive in the middle of the night looking for a bed. Double room P700 (R915) per night. Breakfast P85 (R111) per person extra. GPS: S20.02712 E23.43755 Contact: 00 267 680 0551 (Itumeleng); mokorolodge.com
Jump Street Chalets
In town, but hidden away in the bush, with tall trees and a lawn. Double rooms from P680 (R890) per night. Breakfast P95 (R124) per person. They can arrange mokoro outings and game-viewing safaris. GPS: S20.01192 E23.41735 Contact: 00 267 686 4688;
jumpstreetchalets.info
Sitatunga Camp
This camp is about 13 km southwest of Maun, in the direction of Sehithwa, and accessible from the A3 tar road. Like most camps near Maun, there’s a kilometre or so of dirt or sand road to drive to get to the camp, but you don’t need a 4x4. If you do get stuck, help is close by.
Camping P105 (R137) per adult. Discounts for children under 12. Small but cosy en suite units P620 (R811) for two people. Safari tents P585 (R765) for two people. Bar, restaurant and a swimming pool. You can book day tours to Nxai Pan, Makgadikgadi and the Okavango Delta. GPS: S20.07463 E23.35490 Contact: 00 267 680 0380 (Carina); bookings@deltarain.com
Audi Camp
Audi is an old favourite – it’s about 12 km north- east of Maun on the road to Moremi, next to the Thamalakane River. The campsite has soft sand and enough shade. Camping P60 (R78) per adult; discounts for children. Safari tents P150 (R196) for two people; P385 (R503) with breakfast. Luxury safari tents P605 (R791) for two people, breakfast included. Self- catering house from P1 670 (R2 184) per night for 10 people sharing. These are the rates for South Africans. There’s a swimming pool and restaurant and you can book a tour of Moremi or a mokoro outing here. GPS: S19.93383 E23.50910 Contact: 00 267 686 0599;
audisafaris.com
Island Safari Lodge
This lodge has been in business since 1973. It’s far enough from town to give you that Delta feel – the lodge is on the banks of the Thamalakane River. There are large trees in the campsite (photo at left) and the ablution facilities are good. Camping US$9 (R129) per person. Chalet for two people US$115 (R1 646) per night, breakfast included. GPS: S19.92474 E23.50871 Contact: 00 267 686 0300 (Kemo); islmaun.com
Thamalakane River Lodge
This is the luxury option if you want to impress someone. It’s about 19 km north-east of Maun, next to the road to Moremi. Twin-sleeper chalet US$225 (R3 220) per night; four-sleeper family chalet US$325 (R4 652) per night. These rates include breakfast. GPS: S19.88433 E23.55481 Contact: 00 267 680 0217;
thamalakane-lodge.com
Drifter’s Maun Lodge
This lodge is 30 km from Maun on the A3 to Gweta/Nata, next to the Boteti River. It’s close enough to nip into town for groceries or to do a flight over the Delta, but far from the hustle and bustle.
Camping (grass stands) R100 per person. Safari tents R495 per person sharing, breakfast included. Their rates will stay the same for 2017.
There’s a bar and swimming pool on the premises and you can fish from the jetty. GPS: S20.17106 E23.67350 Contact: 011 888 1160 (SA bookings); drifters.co.za