In northern Botswana you do not choose a neighbourhood so much as a base. Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta and Moremi, and Kasane is the gateway to Chobe National Park. Both are small towns that exist largely to serve safaris, so the real question is whether you want a practical base in town, a quieter riverside lodge, or a stay inside the park. Here is how the five hotels in this guide fit.
Maun: the Delta gateway
Maun is where most Delta trips start. Operators collect guests from hotels and lodges in the town, and the airport is close, so any Maun stay works for mokoro and Moremi day trips. In town, Cresta Riley’s is a central, comfortable mid-range hotel with a pool and restaurant, a good choice for first-timers and for the nights before and after a Delta camp. It is close to shops and operators and makes logistics simple. If you prefer a quieter, greener setting, Thamalakane River Lodge sits on the Thamalakane River outside the centre, with birdlife, a garden and a calmer atmosphere. You will need a taxi or transfer to reach the town centre, which is easy to organise. For budget travellers, Maun Lodge offers a simpler, lower-cost option for the nights you are not out in the Delta. Maun is expensive by regional standards, so a basic stay is a sensible way to keep money for the excursions.
Kasane: the Chobe gateway
Kasane sits on the Chobe River, near the borders with Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. For most travellers, the choice is between a lodge in town and one inside the park. Chobe Safari Lodge is a mid-range riverside lodge on the edge of Kasane, close to the park gate, with a pool and restaurant, and operators collect guests here for cruises and game drives. It is a practical base for a two- or three-night stay. For a splurge, Chobe Game Lodge sits inside Chobe National Park on the river, so you wake up in the wildlife rather than driving to it. Rates usually bundle meals and safari activities, so compare carefully. If you want the full Chobe experience and the budget allows, it is the clear top pick.
Choosing by trip style
If you are doing a short trip, pick one town-based lodge in each base and rely on day trips. If you are doing a longer trip, mix a town stay with a night or two of camping in the Delta, then finish with the splurge in Kasane. Couples and honeymooners should look at Chobe Game Lodge, and those wanting a quiet start to the trip might choose Thamalakane River Lodge. Families will find Cresta Riley’s and Chobe Safari Lodge easy, with pools and restaurants on site.
Seasons and prices
The dry months, June to October, are the busiest and most expensive, and the best lodges book out months ahead. The wet season, roughly November to March, is hotter and greener, and many properties offer lower rates. The flood peaks around June to August in the Delta region, so Maun is busiest then. Whatever the season, book early, check cancellation terms and ask what each rate includes, particularly for lodges that bundle meals and activities.
Booking tips
Tell your operator exactly where you are staying so that pickups are smooth. Pack a soft bag for camping trips and ask your hotel to store the rest. Most of the properties here have Expedia pages with current photos, reviews and rates, which is the quickest way to compare. And for Victoria Falls, use the separate guide, because it needs its own base and plan.
