Maun, Botswana
What 90% of solo women don't know about staying safe in Maun.
The commercial center with malls, cafes, and safari booking offices. Safe and busy during the day, quiet at night. Good base for supplies and meeting other travelers.
This is where the shops, bus station, and main commercial activity are. During the day it's busy with locals doing errands, tourists booking safaris, and people stocking up before Delta trips. The Mall of Maun and Delta Palms Mall have banks, supermarkets, and restaurants - basic infrastructure but nothing fancy. The vibe is frontier town, not polished tourist area. Safari operators, backpacker cafes, and local businesses are all mixed together. English is common in tourist-oriented places. Cafes like Hilary's Coffee Shop and Marc's Eatery are fine for sitting alone with coffee and a laptop - nobody cares. Things are safe during the day with police around, but the area empties out after shops close around 6-7pm. Don't go to the bus station at night - it's poorly lit and dead. If you're out after dark, stick to areas near hotels and restaurants, and get a ride instead of walking.
Daytime Safety
GoodNight Walking Safety
ModerateHarassment Risk
ModeratePublic Transport Safety
ModeratePickpocketing Risk
ModerateScam Risk
ModeratePolice Visibility
GoodEmergency Services
GoodEvening Venues
GoodSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
LowGetting By in English
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"Safe during the day, just watch your bag at the bus station"
"Ran into the same travelers at different cafes, ended up meeting people pretty easily"
"Safari operators were professional and helpful with bookings"
"Used taxis at night, no problems"
"WiFi at Hilary's and Marc's was good enough to work"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Quiet residential area with moderate-priced guesthouses, better infrastructure than Boseja but not touristy. Need transport for everything. Good middle ground between budget local areas and expensive lodges.
Local working-class area with cheap guesthouses. Authentic but isolated from tourist stuff, limited English, need taxis for everything. Budget option if you're comfortable in local neighborhoods, though transport costs add up.
Riverside lodges about 8km from town, quiet and natural. Good for a peaceful base before or after Delta trips, but you need arranged transport for everything and can't walk around after dark because of wildlife.
Help other women stay safe in Maun Central / Downtown
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.