Mata Mata (Namibia)

MATA MATA IS A BORDER CROSSING between Namibia and South Africa, located within Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. On the South African side, there’s an adjacent rest camp with the same name, plus fuel pumps and a park shop. Mata Mata rest camp is one of the park’s original facilities and is situated on the banks of the Auob riverbed against the Namibian border. On the Namibian side of this border post you won’t find any facilities other than the border post and some nearby lodging and camping establishments.

Mata Mata is a popular rest camp within the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and offers campsites and chalets. Traffic through the Mata Mata border post is predominantly comprised of park visitors. The surrounding vegetation is mainly thorny Kalahari Dune Bushveld, a favourite of giraffe. Cheetah are often spotted on the open grasslands south of the camp.

ACCOMMODATION:
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a popular destination with South Africans so accommodation here is usually booked out well in advance for Easter and the June / July school holidays. Mata Mata accommodation options on the South African side include campsites and self-catering chalets.
On the Namibian side there are camping and lodging options a bit further away from the border.

ELECTRICITY:
Electricity at the Mata Mata camp is provided via generator from 05:00 to 21:30 daily.

Campsite power points at the three main rest camps (Twee Rivieren, Nossob and Mata Mata) have been converted to the caravan-type plug, so a blue converter is required to fit the standard South African three-pronged plug.

FUEL:
There is no fuel on the Namibia side of Mata Mata - but you will find fuel at Mata Mata on the South African side of the border here supplying petrol and diesel (subject to availability).

Take note: Garage or Petrol cards will no longer be accepted as a legal tender for purchase of fuel, spares or repairs in Namibia.
Cash, Debit and Credit cards are legal payment instruments, but many fuel stations choose NOT to accept Debit and/or Credit cards. But generally credit cards are accepted at garages in bigger and touristy towns. Take extra cash with still in case!

GATE TIMES:
The border post at Mata Mata is open between 08:00 and 16:30 (no after-hours travel allowed) and operates independently of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park rest camp gates and park entry gates which are shown below:
January / February: 06:00 -19:30
March: 06:30-19:00
April: 07:00-18:30
May: 07:00-18:00
June / July: 07:30-18:00
August: 07:00-18:30
September: 06:30-18:30
October: 06:00-19:00
November / December: 05:30-19:30

MONEY:
While the Mata Mata camp accepts Master and Visa cards, such transactions are dependent on Wi-Fi reception so may not always be accessible.

ROAD INFO:
The park’s rough, sandy and corrugated roads aren’t suitable for sedan vehicles. The speed limit inside the park is 50 km/h and the recommended tyre pressures are: Vehicles - 1.6 bar; Trailers - 1.2 bar; and, Caravans - 2 bar.

ROUTE INFO:
Travelling from Mata Mata to Tweerivieren is about 2.5 hours.

From Mata Mata to Nossob, via the Kamqua dune road is about 3.5 hours.

From Mata Mata to Bitterpan is about 2 hours.

From Mata Mata to the Kalahari Tented Camp is about 10min or 3.4km.

Travel from Mata Mata to Gharagab: Is possible to do in a day, will be about an 8 hour trip, you won't have much time for game viewing, so best to start early. Take into consideration that the speed limit in the park is 50km per hour, and if viewing game you will average about 30 km/h.

SERVICES & FACILITIES:
On the South African side there’s a park shop selling curios, alcohol, firewood and basic commodities like fresh meat, milk, cheese, eggs, wine, beer and spirits.
You’ll find a swimming pool to cool down in during the long hot summer days. The Mata Mata interpretation centre focuses on the owl species of the Kgalagadi. There’s no restaurant at Mata Mata, only at Twee Rivieren.

USEFUL NUMBERS:
Mata Mata Rest Camp: +27(0)54 561 0907.
Twee Rivieren Border Post - South Africa: +27(0)54 561 0914.
Mata Mata Border - Namibia: +264(0)63 25 2055.
Polka 24-hr towing services are based in Okahandja, they service Namibia: +264(0)81 129 7490.
Towing services for Kgalagadi Park are available from Upington. Enquire at Mata Rest Camp reception for details: +27(0)54 561 0907.

WIFI:
Wi-fi is available at Mata Mata but it’s not reliable (Wi-fi vouchers can be purchased at the park shop).
A good tip from the local police is to buy a Namibian sim card at the border post with some air time and use this for internet access. Namibian cellphone reception is very good at Mata Mata, but no South African networks are available.

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