Thamo Telele is a stay in Maun, the town that serves as the main gateway to the Okavango Delta. Most visitors pass through Maun on the way in or out of the Delta, often with an early flight, a mokoro trip or a long drive to organise, so a comfortable base in town is useful rather than glamorous. The room types, facilities and meal arrangements are best confirmed when you book, because only the name and the town are available to go on. For many travellers, a night or two in Maun at the start or end of the trip is as important as the lodge in the bush.
Location
Maun lies on the Thamalakane River at the southern edge of the Okavango Delta. The airport is close to the town centre, and many safari operators have offices or pick-up points in the area. Ask the hotel how far it is from the airport and from the operator you are travelling with, and whether early transfers are available for dawn departures. Maun has shops and restaurants for last-minute supplies, which is handy if you need sunscreen, batteries or snacks before heading into the bush.
Northern Botswana is organised around water, and where you sleep decides what your days look like. The Okavango Delta is reached from Maun, usually by light aircraft, boat or a long drive followed by a mokoro, and the Chobe River is reached from Kasane, where game drives and river cruises leave from the lodges and landing stages.
Savuti and the Linyanti swamps lie between the two and are remote enough that most stays there include transfers and activities. When you compare places to stay, look at how far you are from the activities you want and whether transfers are part of the rate.
What to expect
Only the name and general location are confirmed, so the details below are things to check rather than promises. Ask what meals are included, whether activities such as game drives, boat trips or mokoro excursions are part of the rate, what the transfer arrangements are and how the power and water supply work. In remote areas, electricity may be limited at certain hours, and Wi-Fi may be patchy or absent. Many travellers find that this adds to the experience, but it helps to know before you arrive.
Who it suits
First-time Delta visitors, travellers on a budget, independent explorers and anyone who needs a practical bed before an early flight. It is also a good base for day trips into the Delta by mokoro or for Moremi game drives that start from Maun. Families should ask about room sizes and policies. If you arrive late or leave early, tell the property in advance so staff can arrange meals or a packed breakfast. Always check the fine print on luggage allowances if you plan to take a light aircraft, as limits are strict.
Booking tips
Book early for June to October, when the best places fill months ahead, and compare dates in the green season if your plans are flexible. Confirm your arrival time, particularly if you are flying into Maun or Kasane and need a transfer, and ask what happens if a flight is delayed. Bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and layers, and keep a printed or saved copy of your confirmation. Ask whether laundry is available if your trip is long.
Why stay here
- ✓Guest rooms (check room types)
- ✓Breakfast (check what is included)
- ✓Wi-Fi (check when you book)
- ✓Air conditioning or fans (check when you book)
- ✓Parking (check when you book)
- ✓Tour and transfer help
- ✓Airport transfers (ask in advance)
- ✓Garden or outdoor area (check when you book)
Good questions
Where is Thamo Telele?+
It is in Maun, the gateway town for the Okavango Delta.
Is it close to the airport?+
Maun is a compact town, but confirm the distance and transfer options when you book.
Can I arrange Delta trips from here?+
Staff in Maun can usually help with tours and transfers, but confirm this when you reserve.
