Review: Maun Lodge

Maun Lodge

Location:

Maun is considered one of the main towns in Botswana commonly known as the gate way to Moremi and the Okavango delta. The town has all the supplies needed to prepare for an isolated trip. It consists of multiple Fuel stations, Butchery and convent stores as well as any hardware or vehicle maintenance that may be required. You will be spoilt for choice with the amount of various lodges and overnight facilities from camping to luxury depending on your preference. Maun is very small with a short drive 8-10 min you can get anywhere in Maun you may need to be.

Getting there:

Located in Northern Botswana on the south eastern part of the Delta, there are  a few route options  from South Africa. Our favourite rout to take is to cross over at Stockpoort  heading towards Mahalapye on a dirt road for about 70km, turning right onto the Tarred A1 towards Palapye, and diverting onto A14 all the way up to Motopi  re-joining the A3 for a final push to Maun.

Privacy:

Maun lodge is fairly large with around 80 hotel rooms and around 10 chalets . The chalets are not isolated and are in typical lodge format, with a small external covered stoep just enough for a garden like bench facing onto other similar units.

Unit:

The chalets are set out at the back with no real view, all in very close walking proximity to the pool, restaurant and bar area. These well designed thatch units consist of double bed or two single beds on suite bathroom, tea and coffee facilities, television with limited channel selection, telephone, Air con and mosquito nets.

Kitchen:

No specific kitchen available only tea and coffee facilities.

Bedroom &Beds:

All linen and towels provided in ample quantity if something more required it is just one reception phone call away. The beds came standard with mosquito nets which is of utmost importance this being a high risk malaria area.

Bathroom:

A very clean on suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. Each Chalet has its own geyser so hot water was never a problem. However our units’ geyser was faulty and the lodge offered us another unit or the use of an unoccupied chalet at the drop of a hat.

Parking:

Parking was not too much of an issue as there was ample space, however no designated parking bays and the possibility of a full lodge could provide tricky situations getting in and out especially with those towing trailers or boats.

Service:

We were welcome with expert expertise and apple juice and a huge smile; everyone was professional big smiles and willing to go the extra mile.

Food/Restaurant:

Dinner menu was rounded with plenty options and had everything except chicken, only due to the current situation of Bird flu outbreak quality of food was very good, a fair balance between quantity and quality for the price.

Family Rating:

As far as lodges in Maun go this is child friendly, it has a pool and is secure within the perimeter walls.

Conclusion:

I would stay at this lodge again without a doubt; we stayed one night as passing through guests but would have liked to stay at least 2 being able to explore Maun a little more.

TIPS:

Maun lodge is situated on the Thamalakane river which is frequented with domestic animals, so any river view is not critical, a sundowners at the pub for one night will suffice.

Those doing any kind of shopping in Maun head directly towards Rileys garage area. And explore as you will. 

Review: Stockpoort Border Lodge

Stockpoort border lodge

Location:

Located about 500m from the quiet Stockpoort border post, nearest town is Lephalala on the South African side and about 70km from Mahalapye on dirt road once into Botswana. Both those towns are your closest shops and petrol, A new Shell Petrol station located about 10km from the border in Botswana however would not rely on the consistent supply fuel availability.

  

Getting there:

From Johannesburg it will take around 4hrs with fuel stop take the N1 north to Bela-Bela turning off onto the R33 to Modimolle. Staying on the R33 at Nylstroom all the way to Lephalale this is a much prettier and quicker drive.  Proceed about another hour along the R510.

Privacy:

Once inside the unit privacy is fine, but there is no external relaxing outside the units them selves, one would have to use the bar area with everyone else.

Unit:

Units are generally well maintained and seem to be recently renovated, our room had a double bed aircon tea and coffee facilities on suite bathroom with shower and toilet. All in all well kept and clean.

Kitchen:

There is no kitchen attached to the units and no braai facilities on site.

Bedroom, Beds:

Beds and linen were clean and good quality consisting of sheet, duvet and 4 pillows, 2 towels in the bathroom also provided.

Bathroom:

A small compact bathroom just enough for a shower and basic needs. Always clean however be careful  for spiders hiding amongst the warm towels shake then out before use. 

  

Parking:

No designated parking bays but plenty of space for multiple cars outside each unit.

Service:

Reception was very informal and takes some getting used to a very laid back typical African relaxed carefree vibe, it is located in the bar/dinning room area. A very laid back check in and out. We settled our account the night before and left the lodge early leaving the keys in the units which was no hassle at all.

Food/Restaurant:

A café type setting with the basic burger, pizza, toasted sami , chicken, and steaks on the menu. However when ordering it proved a lot of the items were out of stock which narrowed our selection down plenty, I suspect this is a common occurance. The bar area was part of the dining area and only stock the real basic beer, wine, cokes ETC.

Family Rating:

This gets a moderate family rating because it will accommodate children easly and they can run around freely and safely, the lodge has a pool which the bar overlooks. The down side is that’s all there is and there is a lot of bugs spiders, scorpians and snakes. So caution need to be taken.

Conclusion:

A very nice lodge for a one night stopover heading into Botswana, a very basic simple relaxed feel with all the necessities to give you a good night sleep.

TIPS:

Check in is relaxed and final payments even more relaxed mixed cellphone signal. Take bug an mosquito coils and leave one burning in your room while you go for dinner and drinks.