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Travel Guide To Maun

  • Maun
  • 11°C, Wind
   

Maun Culture and History

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Culture

The main ethnic groups are the Batswana (descendants of iron age immigrants from Central West Africa), the Basarwa (San, indigenous hunter gatherers, pre iron age), and the Herero (pastoralists). Eighty percent of the population of Botswana are rural inhabitants.

History

Since Maun's founding in 1915 as the tribal capital of the Batawana people,[2] it has had a reputation as a hard-living 'Wild West' town helping the local cattle ranching and hunting operations. However, with the growth of the tourism industry and the completion of the tar road from Nata in the early 1990s, Maun has developed swiftly, losing much of its old town character. It is now home to over 30,000 people. Maun is today a thriving tourist town, infamous for its infestation of donkeys and to a lesser extent goats. These animals can be seen standing around town as the local farmers arrive in the innumerable taxis to sell their wares on the curbside. With the influx of tourism dollars, the typical traditional rondavels have been replaced by square, cinderblock homes roofed with tin and occasionally tiles. Mobile phone service in Maun is excellent out to about 20 to 25 kilometres (12 to 16 mi), depending on weather. Maun is also becoming a regional transshipment hub for materials and tradespeople who service both the local camps and safaricentres and the burgeoning mineral exploration camps in northwestern Botswana. There are a wide variety of services in stores as well as many local entrepreneurs with welding ventures operated from the back of a cart. Tourists often fly into the Maun International Airport. Often, these tourists hire a fully equipped 4x4 for camping and game viewing in the parks, or otherwise fly to several tourist camps in the Okavango Delta or the Makgadikgadi. Maun, like most areas in southern Africa, has a protracted aviation history.
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CONSERVATION

Hunting and gathering methods were practised by tribesmen but were controlled by strict traditional conservation plans, which enabled Botswana to preserve its vast and diverse species of wildlife and natural resources. Now 17% of Botswana is protected and has been given over to National Parks and Game Reserves: MOREMI WILDLIFE RESERVE & OKAVANGO REGION This pristine wilderness area of Botswana is reputed to be Africa’s most beautiful reserve. There are a wide range of habitats in the Okavango Delta which encompasses the Moremi - from the riparian woodlands, floodplains, reed beds and the permanent wetland of the Okavango Delta, through towering stands of mopane forests to the dry savannah woodlands. Such wide variety of habitats implies a wide variety of wildlife and at any time of the year, game is prolific (although what is seen obviously varies with the season). The mosaic of land and water comprising the Okavango Delta is a birder’s haven, especially from November to March when the area is brimming with migratory birds. The Okavango Delta is divided into various private concession areas outside of the Moremi National Park.  Each concession area is managed by different safari operators and permission to be in their area needs to be obtained over and above the Film Permit granted by the Ministry of Wildlife, Environment, and Tourism.

Maun  Nightlife

Enjoy Mauns Night Life and join the Tour through the Touristic as well as Local Bars and Night Clubs. Bar-Hopping with a mixed group of locals and tourists is the easiest, savest and craziest way to party if you are new in town.

Popular Bars in Paris

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Jump Street Chalets
Maun Botswana

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Jumpstreet is a perfect spring board for your venture into the wilds of the Okavango delta and Chobe national park, central Kalahari, Makgadikgadi national parks and further afield. Relaxation is the spirit here, tranquil gardens with shady wood lead trees.  

avg/night$58.00 SELECT
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Okavango Roadside Guesthouse provides eminent and unique services to its customers. The guesthouse has ten (10) bedrooms each with high quality furniture and fittings providing a welcoming atmosphere which will make clients feel at home.

avg/night$56.00 SELECT
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Pacific Conqueror Luxury Apartments is the go to accommodation for self drive travelers, we offer spacious self catering rooms fully furnished with all the amenities of a comfortable home.

avg/night$57.00 SELECT

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Africa wild dog sighted on safari with Tourism First
  • Moremi game reserve (game drive and boat cruise)
  • Khwai area (game drive)
  • Savuti (game drive and visit Savuti hills)
  • Savuti/ Ihaha (game drive)
  • Ihaha/ Kasane (game drive and boat cruise)
  • Kasane/ Victoria falls (sightseeing)
  • Victoria falls (airport transfer)
Leopard photographed whilst on safari with Tourism First
  • Lodge/ guest house accommodation in Kasane
  • Nxai pan national park
  • Lodge / guest house accommodation in Maun
  • Dqae Qure
  • Moremi game reserve
  • Savuti
  • Airport transfer