Exotic Maun beckons
Maun, the gateway to the beautiful Okavango Delta, the 1000th UNESCO World Heritage site, is a very special place that has captivated domestic and international tourism in almost equal measures. Over the past few years, the town has been attracting thousands of fun lovers over the holidays and through-out the year. This festive season, once again many of those who wish to take time out of their busy schedules and unwind will be casting their eyes to one of the many river frontages that are spread through the North West district capital.
Beckoning with her beautiful scenery, and the many attractions that lie in wait for those who wish to have a good time, Maun has everything for everyone. River sands, nature, wildlife. Maun ka Monatji as most people can attest, when one goes to Maun, they know for sure that they are guaranteed to have the time of their lives.
Staging as natives love to say is what Maun is best known for. And with events such as the My Maun Experience, the popular and colourful Wine and Whisky Jamboree event, as well as the other events such as the inaugural Maun Colour Jam, and the Monate ko Motjing events are just some of the events that are fast turning Maun into one of the hippiest places in Botswana.
Tumie Sebego tells this publication that Maun is a unique town as it serves as a tourism frontier town and the gateway to the world-famous UNESCO heritage site, the Okavango Delta. She explains that Maun is also in close proximity to other tourist attraction areas such as the Moremi Game Reserve, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Pans, Nxai Pans, Tsodilo Hills and the Okavango Panhandle. This typically means that tourists are spoilt for choice when it comes to nit-picking where they want to go for leisure and spend their money.
She also explains that one of the reasons that makes it a hit with tourists is the fact that it has good accommodation and a reliably mad mix of bush pilots, tourists, campers, volunteers and luxury-safari travellers. “For tourists, it is a great base to stay for a day or two, especially self-drive campers who wish to take a short break and get supplies in the local supermarkets. Batswana absolutely love to spend some time during long weekends and holidays at Maun as it is off the beaten track of the busy commercial towns and cities dotted on the eastern borders of the country,” she explains.
She also notes that the tropical feel of white sand, palm trees and giant trees offer a different perspective from the rocky savannah in the rest of the country. “In general, Maun has a very relaxed feel with a safari buzz as you will regularly see tourist overladen trucks, fully equipped safari car rentals, assortments of game viewing trucks and safari kitted people buzzing around town all year round,” she explains.
Sebego further says that the best and main attraction include the Thamalakane River which runs through the town which is strung out over a few kilometres. The river, she says offers more than just a water source but a beautiful view with lots of activities offered here such as motorized boat cruises, Mokoro trips (dug-out canoes), fishing and for the locals waterfront entertainment spots.
“The next attraction is the close proximity of Moremi Game reserve where people do day trips to view the abundant wildlife – these trips can be booked with most local operators and lodges. Most people visiting Maun for a few days will even opt for camping for a few days in the Moremi Park or in the Makgadikgadi pans. One of the best ways to see the Okavango delta is to do a fixed wing of helicopter scenic flight which can be booked with any of the air charter companies situated in close proximity to the airport,” she explains. And what about entertainment, she notes that it is mostly self-made and involves some local restaurants, pubs, cafes and bars.
“There are some that are more popular than others which may bear some significance to some attractions such as The Old Bridge backpackers which has a popular bar and restaurant set on the river banks with sandy ground and rustic thatched structures. Motsana Arts and Culture centre offers a great one stop shop as it offers a quirky building with some craft shops, a relaxing café, health spa, some occasional flea markets and occasional performing art concerts. Another favourite local spot is just a spot on the river bank named Big Tree which just offers a beautiful area opposite the local park where people will regularly see some giraffes, zebras and impalas,” she highlights.
A renowned photographer, Thalefang Charles, who has explored the length and breathe of Botswana, explains that there is no place like Maun in Botswana. He explains that it is one of the few places in Botswana where one can have fun without going to the bars. He also adds that the people of Maun with their exotic language know how to host visitors.
“The fact that Maun is a tourist town, and that the residents have interacted with them means that they are always ready to welcome visitors into their town,” he says. He also notes that besides the beaches, visitors can embark on exhalating trips into the Moremi Game Reserve or the Okavango Delta (either day trip/night trip).
“There are a lot of tour operators who ply their trade there,” he says. According to a local host, Ryan Livingstone Kentshitswe, Maun is peculiar to Botswana in many respects. Firstly, it is Maun’s multi-ethnicity which he believes influences her being cosmopolitan. He also says that the fact that it is located in a district endowed with natural beauty and an international destination area has a lot more to do with Maun being as cosmopolitan as it is and that in its way enhances a unique type of energy amongst both inhabitants and visitors alike.“In Maun it is quite easy and natural for one to pick a spot anywhere around or in the outskirts of Maun, pull out a camp chair and a cooler box and have a picnic. This is excluding your different ‘beaches’,” he explains. He also notes that the multi ethnicity also contributes a lot to the magic of Maun. “We have an easy-going nature hence folks from all over will always feel welcome in our mist. So, in that sense it is quite easy to see why Maun remains Botswana’s favourite go to place every other holiday,” he says.
Kentshitswe further says that besides the natural wonders such as the river which shelters many a ‘beach’ spots, the magic of Maun can also be credited to their creativity in both the entertainment and food scenes, which he believes rivals that of any place in the country. He reveals that before there was a club in Maun, it was quite natural to set up speakers and a DJ and of course beverages by the river and get an all-night picnic going. Trending places to look forward to includes popular spots such as Luna Bar and Pub 24/7. “These are the trending bars at the moment but options extend beyond bars,” he notes.
One of the events to look forward to these holidays is none other than the inaugural Maun Colour Jam slated to take place on December 30th at the Metro Farm. Kentshitswe, will host the chillas event with the focus being to bring out that summer spirit. The dress code for the event is bright coloured clothes. The venue for this event, he explains is a private farm with a luxury chalet and several fully furnished porta cabins and a camp site. Highlights to look forward to include hammocks, volleyball, ping pong, hubbly smoking and Tswana games as part of the activities.
“Food forms a big part of the event. On the menu, we have braai (chicken, beef, pork, kebabs etc) as well as interesting side dishes like chicken feet and necks, gizzards and a bit of mexican foods and many more. We also have a camping package running from Dec 29 to 02 Jan.” He points out that the difference between the Maun Colour Jam and other events is that revellers can look forward to a number of activities. He also says that others focus more on sale of liquor and food but hardly provide activities such as water slides, modern and traditional games. Those who are interested to learn more about the event can visit the events FB page Metro Farm. Besides the Maun Colour Jam event, one other event that has been transforming Maun and drawing multitudes is none other than the Wine and Whiskey Jamboree.
The event is held on January 1st, and it takes place at the Lek-a-Valley Farm (30 kilometres from Maun in Chanoga). Event organiser, Mochaena Kepadisa explains that the event is in its fourth year. The event, he says was conceptualised four years ago, and started off as a small event for family and friends. But it soon grew, and transformed into the brand that it is today. Highlights to look forward to include wine tasting, boat cruises, and horse riding activities. On the line-up, HanC of Rejection and Perion of Lejebejebe hit will keep revellers on their toes. He explains that they have engaged the village leadership, and that the VDC is also involved. On the day, the VDC will have a stall where they will be selling indigenous foods such as Tswii, and fish.
“We are anticipating that a lot of people will be coming through, and we want them to sample some of these dishes,” he explains. Tickets are on sale for Pl50 per person, or P2500 for four friends, inclusive of a bottle of wine, and snacks or P750 per person, inclusive of a bottle of sparkling wine, and food.