Rivernest Boutique Cottages is a small cottage-style property on the Sedie to Matlapana road outside central Maun, offering a quieter and more self-contained alternative to a town hotel. Rooms are set in gardens and include doubles, twins, a single, an executive double and a family room that sleeps four, all with air-conditioning and bathrooms with showers. Many rooms have a kitchenette with a refrigerator and a microwave, which helps if you are travelling on a budget or want to prepare simple meals between Delta trips. The property has an outdoor pool, a bar and restaurant, free Wi-Fi in rooms, free parking and an elevator. Services such as game drives, safari arrangements, English breakfast and airport pickup are available, generally for a charge, so ask the property to confirm what is offered and at what price. Maun Airport is about eight minutes away by car. Guest reviews are mixed: people praise the staff and clean rooms, while others mention tired facilities, and many reviews are older, so read recent comments before you decide.
Location and getting around
The cottages sit a short drive from the airport and from Maun’s shops, with the Nhabe Museum, Maun Gardens and the Thamalakane River roughly ten to twelve minutes away by car. Places to eat in the area include familiar chain restaurants, the Audi Camp bar and a couple of local cafes.
You will want a taxi or hire car for most trips, as the property is not within walking distance of the centre. Day-trip operators in Maun usually collect from hotels and guesthouses in the area, so give them the property name when you book your mokoro or Moremi trip.
Rooms and routine
Expect simple, practical accommodation. The kitchenettes are the main selling point, and a typical routine is to stock up on supplies in town, cook breakfast in your room, leave early for a Delta pickup and return for a swim and a drink at the bar. English breakfast and safari arrangements are offered for a charge, and the staff can help with tour and ticket enquiries.
Rooms have garden views rather than river views, and facilities are modest, so do not expect the polish of a hotel. Bring repellent for the evening and a torch for walking the grounds after dark.
Who it suits and what to check: independent travellers, families and groups who want space, a kitchen and a lower price than a full-service hotel in Maun. It is less suitable if you want a refined stay with spa facilities, for which Sedia Riverside Hotel or Cresta Riley’s fit better. Check-in is around midday to late afternoon and check-out is in the morning, so confirm times if your flight is early or late.
Free cancellation is offered on some rates, but conditions vary, so read the terms. Pets are not allowed. Because reviews are mixed, it is wise to check recent guest comments and confirm that the facilities you need, such as air-conditioning, hot water and the pool, are working. In the dry season from June to October, Maun is busy, so book ahead.
Why stay here
- ✓Garden-view cottages
- ✓Kitchenettes in many rooms
- ✓Outdoor swimming pool
- ✓Bar and restaurant
- ✓Free Wi-Fi in rooms
- ✓Free parking
- ✓Air-conditioned rooms
- ✓Safari and tour arrangements
Good questions
Do the rooms have kitchens?+
Many rooms have a kitchenette with a refrigerator and microwave. Confirm the details for your room type when you book.
Is it close to Maun Airport?+
It is about eight minutes by car. Airport pickup is available for a charge per person; arrange it in advance.
Are the reviews good?+
They are mixed, with praise for staff and clean rooms and some concern about upkeep, so read recent comments before you book.
