No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-06-01T13:04:17Z
Full advisory →Is Maun safe? 🇧🇼
Botswana · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Maun scores 71/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Maun is generally safe for organized tourism but requires caution with petty crime and property theft; most visitor problems are avoidable with standard precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Maun 🇧🇼
Botswana · Assessed 29 July 2026
71
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~74% of countries
What drives this score
Crime64/100FairCrime index 51.1 / 100
Sentiment66/100FairCautiously positive with street awareness essential
Advisories72Good
Stability78Good
Health73Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Botswana: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
65 / 100 (Cautiously positive with street awareness essential)
65
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
85k residents
87
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
11.4 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Botswana11.4Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
42
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging, break-ins, and vehicle theft occur; risk is lower in organized tourism settings (safari lodges, secured hotels) and highest for independent travelers in less-secure areas at night.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are common at Maun's markets, transport hubs, and crowded tourist areas; keep bags close and valuables secure.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Cautiously positive with street awareness essential
66/100
Reported feel65Cautiously positive with street awareness essential
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travelers report Maun is manageable when precautions are taken. Daytime confidence is moderate (58% feel safe in daylight), nighttime warrants caution (67% feel safe at night). Visitors on organized safari tours or transiting quickly to the delta report the most positive experiences; independent exploration carries more risk.
Maun is generally safe for organized tourism but requires caution with petty crime and property theft; most visitor problems are avoidable with standard precautions.
Maun ranks in the safe zone with a composite index of 75/100, stable governance, and zero terrorism risk. However, property crime is significant and violent crime is reportedly increasing in the town. Official advisories (Canada, US Level 2) recommend heightened caution; UK guidance offers no specific warning. Visitors on organized tours or staying in secure lodges report managing risk successfully.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Local media reports tourism revenue stable, indicating ongoing confidence in Maun's organized safari infrastructure for visitors— TheVoiceBW
- Dec 2025Updated travel safety guide confirms Botswana and Maun manageable for cautious tourists with standard precautions— Travel Safe-Abroad
- Sep 2025Violent crime incidents reported in Maun; aligns with UK guidance noting that violent crime is increasing in major towns including Maun— Mmegi Online
- Mar 2026Seasonal flooding temporarily closed nearby Moremi Game Reserve for three weeks; highlights seasonal water hazards affecting the region— novanews.co.za
Common scams
- Fake or unreliable safari operators offering discounted trips
- Pickpocketing and bag-snatching at markets, transport hubs, and crowded tourist areas
- Overcharging or bait-and-switch by informal taxi drivers or guides
Full briefing
Safety Briefing: Maun, Botswana
Verdict: Maun is safe for visitors who follow organized tourism practices and exercise standard street caution. The town ranks in the safe zone overall (75/100 composite), with excellent political stability and zero terrorism risk. However, petty crime and property theft are real concerns, and official advisories (Canada, US Level 2) recommend heightened caution. The UK offers no specific advisory, but monitoring of violent-crime trends in the town is warranted.
On the Ground: Maun functions as the logistics hub for the Okavango Delta's safari industry, meaning most international visitors are part of organized tour groups, lodge transfers, or pre-booked excursions. This structure significantly reduces exposure to crime — travelers based in safari camps or lodge-booked tours report few safety issues. The town itself (roughly 85,000 residents) is a frontier-style settlement with a mix of backpackers, upmarket tourists, and locals. The main daily-life risks for independent travelers are pickpocketing at the local market and transport terminals, vehicle break-ins if valuables are left visible, and mugging or break-ins at night in less-secure areas. Robberies occur but are uncommon for people staying in guarded accommodation and using licensed transport.
Current Situation: Tourism confidence remains high as of July 2026, and organized safari operations are considered safe. UK official guidance specifically notes that violent crime is increasing in major towns including Maun, corroborated by mid-2025 incident reports showing serious assaults. However, this risk is concentrated among independent travelers and residents; the structured nature of safari tourism — groups, licensed operators, secured lodges — shields most visitors from street-level hazards. Seasonal hazards are minimal: nearby areas experienced flooding in March 2026, but Maun itself is not flood-prone. Air quality is excellent, and wildfire alerts in the region show no imminent threat.
Staying Safe: Travel as part of organized groups or through lodge networks. Use only licensed transport — arrange taxis through your accommodation or use pre-booked transfers; never hail vehicles on the street. Keep valuables hidden and never leave electronics or cash visible in parked vehicles. Avoid walking alone after dark. Book all safaris through established operators with solid reviews — scams targeting tourists include fake safari companies and overcharging by informal guides. Most visitors treat Maun as a 1–2 day transit point before heading to the delta, and that model works well; the organized wilderness tourism is where Botswana's safety strength lies.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Maun districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution. See them plotted on the Maun safety map.
Town Centre/Main BazaarcautionCentral commercial hub; pickpockets and petty theft common in crowded spaces; stay alert, don't flash valuables
Riverside/Delta Gate AreacautionTourism staging point for Okavango trips; moderate property crime and vehicle theft; use lodge transfers, not street taxis
Old MauncautionOlder residential areas; moderate break-ins and burglary risk; avoid after dark, use secure accommodation
Thamalakane Lodges/AccommodationscautionTourist-oriented riverfront lodges; smash-and-grab from vehicles reported; park in secure areas, hire guides
BosejasaferMiddle-class residential area with established infrastructure; lower crime density than downtown areas
Airport DistrictsaferBusiness/aviation hub with organized tourism operations and charter companies; well-staffed and structured
07 · After Dark
Is Maun safe at night?
Mugging, break-ins, and vehicle theft occur; risk is lower in organized tourism settings (safari lodges, secured hotels) and highest for independent travelers in less-secure areas at night.
After dark, be most careful around Town Centre/Main Bazaar, Riverside/Delta Gate Area, Old Maun, Thamalakane Lodges/Accommodations. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Maun's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight69
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight69
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight70
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight69
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight71
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight70
09 · Questions
Maun safety FAQ
Is Maun safe for tourists right now?
Maun is generally safe for organized tourism but requires caution with petty crime and property theft; most visitor problems are avoidable with standard precautions. Maun ranks in the safe zone with a composite index of 75/100, stable governance, and zero terrorism risk. However, property crime is significant and violent crime is reportedly increasing in the town. Official advisories (Canada, US Level 2) recommend heightened caution; UK guidance offers no specific warning. Visitors on organized tours or staying in secure lodges report managing risk successfully. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Maun should tourists avoid?
Street taxis unaffiliated with lodges (use lodge transfers or licensed operators instead); Downtown after sunset without established local company; Vehicle parks in open spaces (use lodge/hotel security). See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Maun?
- Fake or unreliable safari operators offering discounted trips
- Pickpocketing and bag-snatching at markets, transport hubs, and crowded tourist areas
- Overcharging or bait-and-switch by informal taxi drivers or guides
How does Maun compare with other places in Botswana?
Maun ranks #2 of 3 Botswana destinations we've assessed, scoring 71/100. See the Botswana safety overview for the full list.
How is this Maun safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Botswana safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: maun.json (CC BY 4.0).