(campsite and 4 bungalows) P Bag 28, Maun; tel/fax: 6863707; email: freewind@info.bw
Okavango River Lodge first opened in the late 1980s and stands on the opposite side of the Thamalakane River to Island Safari Lodge, about 15km north of Maun on the road to Shorobe, Chobe and Moremi.

It has a campsite beside the river, under shady acacias, with a volleyball court and swimming pool nearby.The rustic little lodge has a lively bar at its centre, and an efficient kitchen that will rustle up a variety of tasty bites from the bar menu, from toasted sandwiches to T-bone steaks. There's a wholesome set meal on offer every night. There are also four simple twin-bedded bungalows with showers and en-suite toilets.

Although not to everybody's taste, Okavango River Lodge does claim to have the only golf course in Maun – set in the open floodplain opposite camp. Whilst perhaps not very conventional, it's easy to play when the river is dry, and even more fun when it's in flood. This is a favourite with various local characters, especially on Sundays.

As well as booking activities for you, Okavango River Lodge have their own flexible mobile camping trips to Moremi, Nxai and Makgadikgadi, the Central Kalahari, or anywhere else in Botswana. All are tailor-made. If you take all your own camping equipment and food supplies, then expect a day-trip to Moremi to cost around P1,200 for the vehicle and driver; a one-night/two-day trip for P2,600 per person sharing, or a two-night/three-day trip for P4,000. Alternatively, Okavango River Lodge can supply all your food and camping equipment, though they'd have to make special arrangements for this.

Okavango River Lodge also organises various mokoro trips of varying lengths, based from the poling station at the Boro River in NG32. These range from day-trips, typically costing around US$60 per person sharing, to longer camping trips. A one-night/two-day trip costs US$90/100 per person sharing/single, or a two-night/three-day trip costs US$120/140 per person sharing/single. Note that even if you're paying the single supplement for your own mokoro, the transfers to/from the mokoro area need at least two people.