The farm Sandfontein, 110km east of Gobabis (Namibia), originally served as a resting place for the Dorsland
Trekkers on their return from Angola in the 20s. While some continued their journey back to the Union of South Africa,
others settled here and later an outpost was established on the farm to maintain law and order in the region. This saw the
name of the farm change to Buitepos, meaning outpost. With the establishment of the Buitepos (Mamuno) Border Post it
became a throughfare to Ghanzi Botswana. In the beginning there was only a two-spoor track on the Botswana side so
this border post didn't see much traffic. But the completion of the Trans-Kalahari Highway in 1999 heralded a new border
post, fuel station, shop and electricity. The village of Charles Hill in Botswana, 7km from the Mamuno border post, has
grown rapidly and today boasts a fuel station, store, ATM and Bureau de Change.

The most direct route between Johannesburg (South Africa) and Windhoek (Namibia) is via the Trans-Kalahari Highway through the Buitepos / Mamuno Border Post. It’s about 1 100km from Johannesburg, and 320km from Windhoek. The Buitepos / Mamuno Border Post is also used by travellers from Namibia heading for the central and northern regions of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and the northern regions of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Botswana.

On the Botswana side, there are three rock art paintings in the vicinity of Mamuno. The paintings are very faint, the best preserved site is Kungamene Rock Engravings, approximately 5km north of the border post. There are also engravings behind the Customs and Immigration staff houses, although very faint.

ACCOMMODATION:
East Gate rest camp in Buitepos is located on the original Sandfontein Farm, and offers lodging and camping, as well as a restaurant, fuel station and a shop selling basic supplies, fresh produce and wine & malt.
There’s also comfortable lodging and camping options on surrounding game farms, many of which offer hunting safaris. Some lodges offer cultural activities with the Kalahari San including bush walks, village visits and cultural dancing displays.
For other accommodation, the nearest is in Ghanzi Botswana, 200km from Mamuno.

FOOD:
At East Gate rest camp in Buitepos is located on the original Sandfontein Farm.
The village of Charles Hill, 7km from the Mamuno border post, has grown rapidly and today boasts a fuel station and store.

FUEL:
At Charles Hill and at East Gate rest camp in Buitepos is located on the original Sandfontein Farm.

TOW-INs:
For breakdown and towing services contact: Desert King 24 Hrs Breakdown Service on +267 77 044 210. For vehicle repairs contact NSI (Pty) Ltd: +267 72 941 774.

There is also tow-in service number is for Polka 24-hour service in Namibia who can assist anywhere in that country (they’re based in Okahandja). Alternative numbers are +264(0)62 500 132 / +264(0)62 504 250.

USEFUL NUMBERS:
Mamuno Border Post (Botswana): +267 659 2013 (07:00 to 00:00).
Buitepos Border Post (Namibia): +264(0)62 56 0404 (07:00 to 00:00).
East Gate Rest Camp: +264(0)62 560 405.

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