MAUN

Almost all tourists entering the Okavango do so through Maun, situated at the gateway to the Delta and Moremi Game Reserve. Maun is the tourism capital of Botswana and the administrative centre of Ngamiland. It is also the headquarters of countless safari and air-charter operations whose signs and offices dot almost every intersection, particularly towards the airport.

Since the town's establishment in 1915 as the tribal capital of the Batawana people, Maun has had a rough and ready reputation as a hard-living 'Wild West' town servicing the local cattle ranching and hunting operations. But with the growth of the tourism industry and the completion of the tar road from Nata in the early 1990s, Maun has developed rapidly, losing much of its old frontier town character. It is now home to over 30,000 people.

Regular supplies of almost everything can be bought in Maun, and the town boasts several good shopping centres, filling stations, a choice of hotels and lodges as well as car and four-wheel-drive vehicle hire. The Maun Airport, which was officially opened in 1996 after extensive renovations, is - if one counts the light aircraft charters to the various Delta camps - one of the busiest airports in Southern Africa.

The name Maun is derived from the San word "maung", which means "the place of short reeds". The village began in 1915 as the capital for the Tawana people. The capital was moved from Toteng after glorious victory over Ndebele King Lobengula.

This metropolis is now spread out along the wide banks of the timeless Thamalakane River where red lechwe can still be seen grazing next to local donkeys, goats and cattle.

As one crosses the new causeway across the Thamalakane River to the main commercial centre, the Best Western Riley's Hotel is set on the riverbank to the left of the main traffic circle. This fine hotel is a very popular stopover with tourists travelling into and out of the Delta, and has been an important landmark in the town since the 1920s when Charles 'Harry' de Beauvoir Riley first arrived here. In those days it was a gruelling 35-hour haul from Francistown to Maun and when the men (mostly professional hunters) arrived, all they wanted was something cold to drink and a place to relax. Seeing the opportunity, Harry set up a little bar that was the scene of many wild parties.

Other areas of interest in and around Maun include the small Maun Game Reserve which covers just 8km2 of woodland. It follows the Thamalakane riverbank upstream from the Best Western Riley's Hotel and includes the original "Place of Reeds" from which the town takes its name. The reserve is open every day and is traversed by numerous walking trails for which a small entrance fee is charged.

AVAILABLE HOLIDAY PACKAGES TO THIS REGION:

Botswana Fish Eagle Safari (BWF) - 10 nights holiday package 10 Night / 11 Day Trail.  This adventure trail starts in Maun and ends in Victoria Falls.  It explores the fascinating Okavango Delta water system and passes through some of the best wilderness areas of Botswana. FISH EAGLE SAFARI DEPARTURE DATES 2008 Rate : 10 Nights from $1,992.00 [per person sharing]

Botswana Guided Lodge Tour - 11 nights holiday package This 11 night / 12 day safari starts in Kasane and ends in Maun. Rate : 11 Nights from $3,900.00 [per person sharing]

Botswana Kalahari Safari (BWK) - 6 nights holiday package 6 Night / 7 Day Trail. This safari offers an insight into the culture and history of the Kalahari's oldest inhabitants. It is ideal for the adventure enthusiast offering breathtaking scenery, desert wildlife and the privilege of an introduction to the traditional lifestyle of the San Bushmen. KALAHARI SAFARI DEPARTURE DATES 2008 Rate : 6 Nights from $1,729.00 [per person sharing]

Botswana Leopard Safari 2008 (BWKF) - 16 nights holiday package 16 Night / 17 Day Trail. The combination of the Bushman and Fish Eagle Trails provide a comprehensive and broad traveling experience in Botswana  introducing you to one of the oldest cultures in the world, the Bushman, as well as witnessing one of the natural wonders of the world, the Okavango Delta. Rate : 16 Nights from $3,006.00 [per person sharing]

Botswana Miracle Rivers (Moremi special) - 6 nights holiday package 6 Nights / 7 Days Maun to Maun Camping On An Authentic Mobile Tented Safari.   Moremi Game Reserve & Okavango Delta Rate : 6 Nights from $2,125.00 [per person sharing]

Botswana Northern Explorer Safari - 10 nights holiday package 10 Nights / 11 Days Maun to Kasane or Kasane to Maun Maun, Kasane, Livingstone or Victoria Falls Airport Camping On An Authentic Mobile Tented Safari NORTHERN EXPLORER DEPARTURE DATES 2008 Rate : 10 Nights from $3,300.00 [per person sharing]