Daily costs per person in US dollars. Maun is the most affordable gateway to the Okavango Delta — camping and community mokoro trips make genuine African wilderness accessible on a backpacker budget.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: BWP (Pula) (1 USD ≈ 13 BWP. Cards at lodges, cash elsewhere)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $6–15 | $30–80 | $150+ | Camping → backpacker lodge → safari lodge |
| Food | $8–15 | $20–40 | $60+ | Self-catering → local restaurants → lodge dining |
| Transport | $3–10 | $15–40 | $50+ | Combis → shared transfers → private vehicle |
| Activities | $15–60 | $80–180 | $250+ | Mokoro day trip → scenic flight → fly-in safari |
| Drinks & Extras | $3–8 | $10–20 | $30+ | Local beers → cocktails → premium lodge bar |
| Daily Total | $40–70 | $100–250 | $400+ | Budget camper → comfortable mid → luxury safari |
Money-saving tips
Camp instead of lodging
Campsites along the Thamalakane River cost 80–150 BWP ($6–12) per person per night versus $50–150+ for lodge rooms. Old Bridge Backpackers has the best riverside camping in Maun.
Book mokoro trips locally
Community-based mokoro day trips booked through Maun lodges cost $40–60 per person — international safari operators charge $200+ for the same experience with a markup for middlemen.
Self-cater with Choppies
Choppies supermarket in Maun is well-stocked and affordable — braai packs for 80 BWP, bread for 12 BWP, and fruit from 15 BWP. Cooking at your campsite saves hugely over restaurant meals.
Share scenic flights
Scenic flights are priced per aircraft seat, but if you can fill all 3–5 seats on a small plane the per-person cost drops significantly. Ask your lodge to group you with other travellers.
Drink local beers
Local St Louis and Castle Lager cost 15–25 BWP at bars versus 50+ BWP for imported beers. Buying from bottle stores (off-licences) is even cheaper at 10–15 BWP per bottle.
Use combis for transport
Shared combis (minibus taxis) run regular routes from Maun to nearby villages like Shorobe for 10–20 BWP. Private transfers to the same destinations cost 200+ BWP.
