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Would somebody be so kind to tell me - wich route is better to take from Ai-Ais to Sendelingsdrift border crossing? The route over Rosh Pinah or the D316 and then D212 that runs along the Orange River on the Nam side?

What is the difference and how does the road quality differ?

Hey Sharkalaka -- Depends on your vehicle and driving experience to a degree as well. D routes much easier and the ride along the river is nice after the road meets it on Aussenkehr heading west. The 4X4 track is quite a bit shorter but also slower going with sharp twists and gradient to deal with.If you are in doubt stay on D routes in Namibia. Surfaces are pretty well maintained. The other loop round north past Fish River Canyon and then west and then south through Rosh Pinah and back is much much longer and not really a practical option although very scenic drive in spots if one is just ambling. Hope this helps but check out 4x4 forums if u want more info

Thank you VR! Much apreciated

My parents are visiting the park in a week or so. They will be entering at MM and leaving at TR after spending 3 nights in the park.
Could i ask what are the current opening times for the boarder control and customs at both ends?
Am i right in saying they report to the Namibia boarder control and get a stamp out of Namibia when they enter and then report to the SA boarder control when they want to leave to get a SA stamp?
When they are leaving the park can they report to the boarder control during the middle part of the day and do all the necessary stuff and then go back out into the park to spend the afternoon driving around. Leaving before the usual gate closing time but after the boarder has closed?

Does anyone know what the road from Keetmanshoop to MM is like? How long does it take?
Cheers

Hi Astromatt,

If you enter and exit at Mata-Mata I think you might not need to go through the passport procedures. Its only required if you exit into another coutry than the one you came in e.g. at Twee Rivieren or Mabua.

Mata-Mata opens at 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (054 561 2000 / 054 561 0907)

The road to Marienthal is fine and you can travel at 80 - 100 km/h, but I am not sure about Keetmanshoop. It might be the same, but maybe more roller-coaster going up and down the dune (normal gravel roads and not dune driving like Namib desert).

Wonder if your parents already there, if not I hope the advice helped a bit.

Thanks for the info Son Godin, unfortunately it arrived a little too late for my parents (it all went smoothly anyway) but will be useful to know for the future.

Hi Kgalagadi Guru or anyone that may be able to assist

We will be in Kgalagadi from 06 Apr'12 to 10 Apr'12.
Then on to Namibia, either through Mata Mata or the Rietfontein Border post to Keetmanshoop.
I am driving a 2x4 Fortuner and need to know if both roads are ok.
I will prefer to go through Rietfontein on 10 Apr'12, and then back through Mata Mata on 12 Apr'12, as I will then be staying in Kgalagadi again from 12Apr'12 to 14Apr'12.

Thanks to give advice

Hi forumnites,

I will stay 6 nights in KTP beginning of July , arriving from Namibia and leaving as well through MM, so no visa (thank you KG !).

But I have a question about what can I bring with me from Namibia into KTP, ie meat, woodfuel, etc.

Last year we have been in Botswana and Zimbabwe and there was many restrictions at the borders.
Thanks in advance for any input !

WackoRhino,

I'll be visiting Namibia in July myself and will be interesting to get more answers on the meat across borders. According to the latest Weg guide 2012 you can bring in 25 kg red meat and 10 kg biltong. Not allowed are chicken and pork. One can get an export permit for fish but thats going to cost R505.

I am going to try it out myself because we will not be going through a town in South Africa and need some meat for the week in KTP. If they stop us buy some braaiwood from the shop close to the border, braai your meat before entry then.

Braaiwood is also prohibited so we will have to get in the park and the other item not allowed is maize meal (mielie meel).

A good place to shop is the Spar at Marienthal. If you are still uncertain contact Namibian ministry of Veterinary services at 00 264 61 276 592.

So maybe we will meet somewhere near Mata-Mata then.

Hi all of you

I went through Rietfontein into Namibia and back through Mata Mata now in April.
They checked my cooler boxes but was not concerned with any meat or food or drinks.
Only wood not allowed.

Enjoy the trips, very jealous...........

Thank You for the info Son godin and Dantheman !

I'll buy charcoal and some meat at the Spar in Mariental (and some other things too )

We will stay KK 30.06, TR 01.07, Ur 02.07, TR 03&04.07, N 05.07, so maybe we see you in KTP

WackoRhino,

We might see you on the way to Rehoboth then, but will you miss you at KTP unless you stay for longer up to 10 July when we enter at Mata-Mata. Have a safe journey and enjoy your stay at KTP.

Hi all,

just planning my Namibian holiday and ending up looking how to get Kgalagdi in the trip
I understand I do not need a visa, entering via Mata-Mata.
I would like to stay several days, not leaving the park and go back to Namibia.

Do I have to leave via Mata-Mata or can I also depart via Union's end?
Do I need exit permits (like in Kruger) and how would I get them if we only stay in bush camps.

Thanks in advance

Hello noeg

There is no gate at Union's End, so Mata Mata is the only way back to Namibia.


The way the permits work in KTP :

You are issued with a permit when you arrive in KTP.
This permit must be kept in the car with you whenever you are on the roads and must be handed in at reception (office) every evening when you arrive back at camp.
You then collect the permit again in the morning before you leave camp.
The permit will finally be handed in again when you exit the park.
The camp attendants at the bush camps control those permits.

It may sound complicated, but it ensures that everyone is accounted for, so if you get stuck somewhere, someone will come looking

thank you p@m