×

Botswana🇧🇼 | festivalsMaun International Arts FestivalOkavango basketry, riverside town fair, mokoro outings, Nhabe Museum | things to do and best time to go

Explore Maitisong FestivalExplore Toyota 1000 Desert Race

Backpacking in Maun International Arts
🌟 Highlightfestival ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Years ago, Maun’s arts scene was something you stumbled on between supply runs and flights into the delta. Maun International Arts Festival gives it a fixed place on the calendar, with music, dance, theater, poetry and visual art gathered in one town. The audience is a mix of local families, students, artists and travelers passing through the gateway to the Okavango Delta. The mood is relaxed and community-minded, closer to a town fair than a camping-field party. Maun International Arts Festival takes place in Maun, in the north of Botswana, beside the Thamalakane River. Several things catch visitors out. Beds fill and rates climb when the festival is on, so book early. Safari operators sell out around the same dates, so reserve delta trips before you arrive. Taxis are the main way to get between venues, so agree the fare first. Carry some cash in pula, since not every stall takes cards. Confirm the current dates with local organizers before booking flights.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Botswana Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 festival in BotswanaWhy Maun International Arts should be on your travel list

Maun International Arts Festival works as a stopover that gives a Botswana trip some local texture between wilderness stretches. Most backpackers reach Maun to head into the delta or on to the Makgadikgadi pans, and the town can feel like a supply depot. The festival changes that. You end up at the same shows as schoolteachers, guides and musicians who live here, which makes conversation easy. Strangers share tables, and by the second evening you will be swapping safari tips with someone from Gaborone or Namibia.

It also fits well into a longer route. Maun is the hub for mokoro trips into the Okavango Delta, so you can pair a few festival days with a delta overnight. Compared with big southern African music events, the festival is small and low-key, so you spend less on tickets and extras. … read more 👉
Maun International Arts Festival works as a stopover that gives a Botswana trip some local texture between wilderness stretches. Most backpackers reach Maun to head into the delta or on to the Makgadikgadi pans, and the town can feel like a supply depot. The festival changes that. You end up at the same shows as schoolteachers, guides and musicians who live here, which makes conversation easy. Strangers share tables, and by the second evening you will be swapping safari tips with someone from Gaborone or Namibia.

It also fits well into a longer route. Maun is the hub for mokoro trips into the Okavango Delta, so you can pair a few festival days with a delta overnight. Compared with big southern African music events, the festival is small and low-key, so you spend less on tickets and extras. The crowd stays manageable, performers are within arm’s reach, and you leave knowing the town beyond its airport and campsites.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while celebrating the Maun International Arts

  1. Live music and main stage performances: The core of the festival is local and regional acts playing in Maun. Expect a spread of Botswana’s styles alongside southern African sounds, with an audience that actually dances.
  2. Traditional Setswana dance and choirs: Groups in coordinated costume perform drum-led dance and choral singing. It is the clearest way to see cultural practice presented by the people who inherited it.
  3. Craft stalls and Okavango basketry: Look for baskets woven from mokola palm, a craft tied to communities of the Okavango region. Buying from the weaver or a stall run by one costs a little more than a curio shop, and the money goes to the maker.
  4. Nhabe Museum: This small museum in Maun covers local history and culture, and it gives the performances context. Visit during a quiet daytime
… read more 👉
  1. Live music and main stage performances: The core of the festival is local and regional acts playing in Maun. Expect a spread of Botswana’s styles alongside southern African sounds, with an audience that actually dances.
  2. Traditional Setswana dance and choirs: Groups in coordinated costume perform drum-led dance and choral singing. It is the clearest way to see cultural practice presented by the people who inherited it.
  3. Craft stalls and Okavango basketry: Look for baskets woven from mokola palm, a craft tied to communities of the Okavango region. Buying from the weaver or a stall run by one costs a little more than a curio shop, and the money goes to the maker.
  4. Nhabe Museum: This small museum in Maun covers local history and culture, and it gives the performances context. Visit during a quiet daytime gap in the program.
  5. Thamalakane River and a mokoro outing: The river runs along the edge of town, and the delta’s traditional poled canoes are the usual way to see the wetlands. A short outing between festival sessions clears the head.
Start with the live music and main stage performances on the first evening, because the crowd is at its freshest and you will learn who and what to follow for the remaining days.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Maun International Arts Festival

1 Day Okavango Delta Mokoro/Canoe Daytrip

1 Day Okavango Delta Mokoro/Canoe Daytrip

4.8(100) 8h
From €141
per personViator
11 Days and 10 Nights Private Northern Explorer Tour

11 Days and 10 Nights Private Northern Explorer Tour

4.8(40) 264h
From €6,387
per personViator
Botswana Camel Safari Experience

Botswana Camel Safari Experience

4.9(34) 1h
From €54
per personViator
Moremi Full Day Trip From Maun

Moremi Full Day Trip From Maun

4.9(31) 12h
From €291
per personViator
2 Nights Okavango Delta Mokoro WildCamping Tour, all-inclusive

2 Nights Okavango Delta Mokoro WildCamping Tour, all-inclusive

4.8(34) 72h
From €770
per personViator
Small Group Immersive Cultural Tour in Maun

Small Group Immersive Cultural Tour in Maun

4.9(17) 3h
From €118
per personViator
2 nights 3 days Overnight Mokoro Trail Okavango delta

2 nights 3 days Overnight Mokoro Trail Okavango delta

4.9(17) 72h
From €697
per personViator
12Day WILDERNESS TRAIL: Okavango, Moremi & Chobe + Victoria Falls

12Day WILDERNESS TRAIL: Okavango, Moremi & Chobe + Victoria Falls

4.8(17) 288h
From €3,936
per personViator
13 Day WILDERNESS TRAIL: Best Of Northern Botswana -WildCamping + Victoria Falls

13 Day WILDERNESS TRAIL: Best Of Northern Botswana -WildCamping + Victoria Falls

4.8(16) 312h
From €4,818
per personViator
7 Nights / 8 Days Delta Miracle Trip

7 Nights / 8 Days Delta Miracle Trip

4.7(15) 192h
From €4,470
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Maun International Arts Festival?

Maun International Arts Festival runs over several days in late August or September in Maun, with performances and workshops spread across venues in town and around the Thamalakane River.
  • Best day: Go on the weekend, when the main stage acts, craft stalls and crowds peak. Quieter weekdays suit workshops and chatting with artists.
  • Weather: Days run about 28 to 34°C (82 to 93°F), nights about 10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F), with no rain. Bring a hat, sunscreen, a refillable bottle, and a fleece for after dark. Dust gets into everything, so pack a scarf.
  • Booking: Reserve beds two to four weeks ahead. Room rates in town can rise 20 to 40 percent around the dates, and camping fills last.
  • Crowds and roads: Arrive the day before opening. Traffic around the airport and the main road through town thickens at
… read more 👉
Maun International Arts Festival runs over several days in late August or September in Maun, with performances and workshops spread across venues in town and around the Thamalakane River.
  • Best day: Go on the weekend, when the main stage acts, craft stalls and crowds peak. Quieter weekdays suit workshops and chatting with artists.
  • Weather: Days run about 28 to 34°C (82 to 93°F), nights about 10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F), with no rain. Bring a hat, sunscreen, a refillable bottle, and a fleece for after dark. Dust gets into everything, so pack a scarf.
  • Booking: Reserve beds two to four weeks ahead. Room rates in town can rise 20 to 40 percent around the dates, and camping fills last.
  • Crowds and roads: Arrive the day before opening. Traffic around the airport and the main road through town thickens at weekends, so leave Sunday morning rather than evening.
Confirm the dates locally before booking transport, because the program shifts between editions.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutBotswana Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Botswana
The digital guide (172 pages) contains:
✅ 38 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Botswana

Central Maun is the easiest base for the festival, because the venues, the main shopping strip and the taxi ranks sit within a few kilometers of each other.
The area around the Maun Airport road and the riverfront strip is where most budget travelers end up. You get a cluster of backpacker-friendly lodges and campsites, shared kitchens, and a steady flow of people heading to the Okavango Delta, so finding someone to split a taxi or share a table is easy. Evenings are social, with fires and communal bars, and the neighborhood is well used by overlanders and solo travelers.
Along the Thamalakane River, … read more 👉
Central Maun is the easiest base for the festival, because the venues, the main shopping strip and the taxi ranks sit within a few kilometers of each other.
The area around the Maun Airport road and the riverfront strip is where most budget travelers end up. You get a cluster of backpacker-friendly lodges and campsites, shared kitchens, and a steady flow of people heading to the Okavango Delta, so finding someone to split a taxi or share a table is easy. Evenings are social, with fires and communal bars, and the neighborhood is well used by overlanders and solo travelers.
Along the Thamalakane River, north of the bridge, riverside campgrounds offer tent pitches and cheaper dorm-style beds. They are quieter, with birdsong at dawn and hippos occasionally grunting in the dark, but you will want a taxi after dark rather than walking the unlit sandy roads.
Sehithwa Road and the Old Mall area suit anyone who wants shops and cheap guesthouses within walking distance of the main drag. It is practical rather than pretty.
Book early, share rooms to cut costs, and pick somewhere with secure parking or lockers.
Best hostels in Botswana


Best quality hotels in Botswana

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

A day at Maun International Arts Festival costs about US$50 to 100 for a backpacker, around US$75 once you count a mid-range dorm bed and a few extra purchases.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 15Some events and street performances cost little or nothing, while main stage evenings and workshops carry a modest gate fee. Pay in cash where possible.
AccommodationUS$12 to 25 (low season); US$18 to 35 (high season)Camping and dorm beds in Maun cost the least. Rates rise around the festival dates and private rooms can double that.
Local transportUS$3 to 10Shared minibuses (combis) are cheap but have no fixed timetable. Taxis within town cost a few dollars per ride and are the sensible option after dark.
Food & drinksUS$12 to 25Braai plates and pap meals at stalls are filling.
… read more 👉
A day at Maun International Arts Festival costs about US$50 to 100 for a backpacker, around US$75 once you count a mid-range dorm bed and a few extra purchases.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 15Some events and street performances cost little or nothing, while main stage evenings and workshops carry a modest gate fee. Pay in cash where possible.
AccommodationUS$12 to 25 (low season); US$18 to 35 (high season)Camping and dorm beds in Maun cost the least. Rates rise around the festival dates and private rooms can double that.
Local transportUS$3 to 10Shared minibuses (combis) are cheap but have no fixed timetable. Taxis within town cost a few dollars per ride and are the sensible option after dark.
Food & drinksUS$12 to 25Braai plates and pap meals at stalls are filling. Supermarket groceries cut costs, and a beer costs roughly US$1.50 to 3.
MiscellaneousUS$5 to 15Crafts, basketry and prints from artists, plus a SIM card, sunscreen and the odd tip for performers.
Total Daily BudgetUS$50 to 100About US$75 a day for most independent travelers.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

Expect a festival food scene built around the grill. Braai stands send out smoky beef and boerewors sausage, usually served with pap, the stiff maize porridge that soaks up every drop of gravy, and a spicy tomato relish.
Look for seswaa, Botswana’s slow-pounded boiled beef, salted and shredded until it is soft enough to eat with a spoon. It is the dish locals recommend first, and it tastes of ceremony and Sunday gatherings. If you spot morogo (wild spinach) or bogobe sorghum porridge, order it too. Vegetarians can usually find pap with greens, bean stews and fried street snacks such as vetkoek, a fried dough bun.
For drinks, cold St Louis lager and Chibuku traditional beer are the local choices, alongside ciders, sodas and the ever-present rooibos and sweet tea. Chibuku comes in a carton and … read more 👉
Expect a festival food scene built around the grill. Braai stands send out smoky beef and boerewors sausage, usually served with pap, the stiff maize porridge that soaks up every drop of gravy, and a spicy tomato relish.
Look for seswaa, Botswana’s slow-pounded boiled beef, salted and shredded until it is soft enough to eat with a spoon. It is the dish locals recommend first, and it tastes of ceremony and Sunday gatherings. If you spot morogo (wild spinach) or bogobe sorghum porridge, order it too. Vegetarians can usually find pap with greens, bean stews and fried street snacks such as vetkoek, a fried dough bun.
For drinks, cold St Louis lager and Chibuku traditional beer are the local choices, alongside ciders, sodas and the ever-present rooibos and sweet tea. Chibuku comes in a carton and is shaken before opening, so expect a thick, sour, slightly fizzy brew you either love or pass along.
Pay in cash, as many stalls do not take cards, and carry small notes for change. Portions are generous, so share a plate with a new friend. Lines move slowly but cheerfully, and grilling takes time, so order early and then wander the craft stalls while the meat cooks.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Maun International Arts Festival is held in Maun, usually over several days in late August or September, though the exact dates change between editions. Check local listings a month ahead. Most visitors arrive the day before opening, and weekends are the busiest.
Attending Maun International Arts Festival costs about US$0 to 15 for entry, depending on the event, with many outdoor performances free or very cheap. Most of your money goes on a bed, roughly US$12 to 35 a night in camps and dorms, and food at about US$12 to 25 a day. A realistic total for a backpacker is around US$55 to 95 a day.
Tickets for Maun International Arts Festival are usually not needed far in advance, as many events are open or sold at the gate with cash. Main stage evenings and workshops can fill, so buy early on the day or ask organizers a few days ahead. Your bigger task is a bed: book two to four weeks before the dates, since Maun’s lodges and campsites fill quickly.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Botswanan festivals near Maun International Arts

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Botswana including Maun International Arts and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all festivals

Or checkout all Botswana has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Botswana
Country photo of Botswana
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Maun International Arts Festival rewards two or three days on the ground, enough to catch several evenings of performances and one daytime stroll through the craft stalls. Add a night or two in the delta afterward, but book that before you travel. I would skip rushing in and out in a single day, and I would bring a light jacket for cool evenings by the river.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Botswana. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story