Mata Mata

Mata Mata rest camp entranceMata Mata rest camp entrance
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Mata Mata gateMata Mata gate
welcome to Mata Mata campwelcome to Mata Mata camp

Mata Mata camp is situated on the banks of the Auob River on the western boundary of the Park that borders Namibia, it is a 2,5 hours drive from Twee Rivieren rest camp. Mata Mata camp is the ideal camp to stay at if you are going to Etosha or any of the other parks in Namibia. Likewise if you are travelling from Namibia to South Africa or Botswana. 

Entrance gate to Mata Mata through NamibiaEntrance gate to Mata Mata through Namibia

The camp is surrounded by thorny Kalahari dune bushveld, where giraffe, typically adapted to these arid conditions, are a favourite sight around the camp.

3 giraffe walking near Mata Mata camp3 giraffe walking near Mata Mata camp
Mata Mata CampMata Mata Camp

Reception area at Mata Mata campReception area at Mata Mata camp

Mata Mata camp has a reception with an information centre, swimming pool, shop and petrol station. A generator provides electricity for 18 hrs per day and there is no telephone or cellphone reception.

Information centre t Mata Mata campInformation centre t Mata Mata camp

This interpretation centre focuses on the owl species of the Kgalagadi.....

Mata Mata camps information centreMata Mata camps information centre
Mat Mata camps Petrol stationMat Mata camps Petrol station and shop behind
The shop at Mata MataThe old shop selling basics
Mata Mata camps swimming poolThe swimming pool

Accommodation

Mata mata campsite is pretty much situated in the Mata Mata River bed overlooking a waterhole.....

Mata Mata hide and campsiteMata Mata waterhole, hide and campsite

the camping area has large trees for shade, there are non-powered and powered campsites, communal ablutions and kitchen with braai facilities....

The camping area and hide at Mata Mata campThe camping area and hide at Mata Mata camp

The older chalets have either 1 or 2 bedrooms....

The older chaletsThe older chalets

each with a separate toilet and bathroom with shower and a fully equipped kitchen, small patio, table and chairs and braai area...

Old chalets bedroom at Mata MataOld chalets bedroom

The River facing chalets are a lovely change from the old chalets...

Front view of the River facing chalets at Mata Mata rest campFront view of the River facing chalets
The back of the river facing chalets at Mata Mata campThe back of the river facing chalets

they are spacious, bright and sunny, each has a small lounge and dining area with DSTV.....

Mata mata river facing chalets lounge and dining roomlounge and dining room

they have a small but fully equipped kitchen.....

Kitchen and dining area at the River facing chalets at Mata MataKitchen, dining area and lounge

there are 1 and 2 bedroom chalets, with the bedroom/s opening onto a large patio.......

all have bathroom have a shower, toilet, hand basin and an air conditioner.... 

Mata mata bedroomMata mata bedroom
Bedroom in River-facing chaletBedroom in River-facing chalet
Mata mata chalets 2nd bedroomMata mata chalets 2nd bedroom
View from chalet Patio at Mata mata campView of the riverbed from chalet Patio
View from chalet 4 at Mata mataview from Chalet 4
View from Chalet 7 at Mata Mata campView from Chalet 7
2 bedroom chalet patiothe patio of the 2 bedroom chalet

There is a large semi covered patio with table, chairs and a braai area with stunning views over the Auob river bed and a constant parade of animals so you do not need to leave the camp......

A view from our Mata Mata river facing chalets patioA view from our patio
braai and camera gear ready for action from our patio at Mata Matabraai and camera gear ready for action
relaxing on our patio at Mata Mata camprelaxing on our patio
Sundowners from our patio at Mata MataSundowners from our patio at Mata Mata
Our braai, wine and gear setup at our chalet at Mata mataOur braai and gear setup at our chalet
Camera gear set up at our chalet at Mata MataCamera gear set up and wine all ready for the action

Visitors at our chalet......

Ground Squirrel in our chalet at Mata MataGround Squirrel in our chalet at Mata Mata
pearl spotted owlet in our chalet at Mata Mata campMario caught this pearl spotted owlet in our chalet

"This eBook is packed with knowledge that can be applied to other parks, safaris and wildlife excursions via the photography lessons and additional advice for photographers" 

- Amanda Ellis, Pretoria, South Africa

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Activities

Mata Mata has two floodlit waterholes one at the hide near the campers and the other near the River facing chalets.........

The hide at Mata Mata rest campThe hide in the camping area
The view of the waterhole from inside the hide at Mata mata campThe view of the waterhole from inside the hide
Photographing from the hide at Mata MataPhotographing from the hide at Mata Mata
Cheetah walking past the hide and waterhole at Mata mataCheetah walking past the hide and waterhole
Mata mata campers looking at lionessMata mata campers looking at lioness

We have seen lions, cheetah, oryx, eland, wildebeest and a genet all from the comfort of our river facing chalets. If you are patient the sightings will come!

A cheetah at the Mata Mata waterholeA cheetah at the Mata Mata waterhole
Eland at the waterhole at Mata mata campEland at the waterhole
Lions at waterhole image taken from our chalet at Mata mataLions near waterhole image taken from our chalet
Cheetah standing at the waterhole after having a drink Mata Mata campCheetah standing at the waterhole after having a drink Mata Mata camp
cheetah drinking at Mata Mata waterholecheetah drinking at Mata Mata waterhole
Cheetah leaving Mata Mata waterholeCheetah leaving Mata Mata waterhole
Beautiful lighting makes for good landscapes at Mata Mata campBeautiful lighting makes for good landscapes

Photographing at night from our chalet.....

Wildebeest at Mata Mata waterhole at nightWildebeest at night at the waterhole
lion cubs playing at the waterhole at Mata matalion cubs playing at the waterhole at Mata mata
Lions at the waterhole at Mata Mata campLions at the waterhole at Mata Mata camp
The Mata mata hide and waterhole at nightThe Mata mata hide and waterhole at night
Stars above Mata Mata hide and waterholeStars above Mata Mata hide and waterhole

The area and waterhole around Mata Mata camp have given us some lovely sightings......

Martial eagle at a waterhole near Mata Mata campMartial eagle at a waterhole near Mata Mata camp
Male lion with his prize near Mata mata campMale lion with his prize near Mata mata camp
Ostrich near Mata MataOstrich near Mata Mata
Cape Eagle owl chick on the Mata Mata roadCape Eagle owl chick on the Mata Mata road
Giraffe drinking from puddle in the road near Mata MataGiraffe drinking from puddle in the road near Mata Mata
Cape Eagle owl chick photographed near Mata mataCape Eagle owl chick photographed near Mata mata

This page has been created to allow visitors to post their special stories and pictures for others to see.

The photographs should be taken at the camp waterhole or close to the camp area.

Visitors to this page can then comment on, discuss and rate each picture and story.

Have A Great Story with Pictures about Your Stay at Mata Mata Camp?

Do you have a great story to tell and photographs to show about your stay at Mata Mata Camp? Please Share them!

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Cats near Mata Mata 
Our fist morning drive out from our 3 day stay at this camp provided some nice sightings of some fairly elusive big and small cats. We came across this …

African wildcat 
We saw this cat scurry across the road at Dalkeith waterhole and he disappeared into the grass. We stopped the car and scanned with binoculars but we couldn't …

Black-maned Kalahari lion 
This lion caught a wildebeest just a few kilometers from Mata Mata during the night. In the morning we found him and the carcass. He didn't like all the …

Gemsbok and ostritches Not rated yet
In the summer rainy season the roads fill with water and the animals either drink here or cool off like these ostritches are doing near Veertiende boorgat. …

Click here to write your own.

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New! Comments

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"This eBook is packed with knowledge that can be applied to other parks, safaris and wildlife excursions via the photography lessons and additional advice for photographers" - Amanda Ellis, Pretoria, South Africa

"This eBook will be extremely useful for a wide spectrum of photography enthusiasts, from beginners to even professional photographers." - Tobie Oosthuizen, Pretoria, South Africa

"Having a passion for the region myself and having had to learn about all the dynamics, waterholes and ideal routes to drive over a period of 6 years - I wish I had this guide on my first trip already!" - Morkel Erasmus, Secunda, South Africa

"Mario and Jenny take you to spots that are not always visited, and their descriptions of the more remote camps will allow you to make an informed decision without wasting time and money" - Bob & Sherry Shepardson, DeBary, Florida, USA

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