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Just some info on the border crossing between South Africa and Namibia:

When going to Namibia through the Park, you have to go to immigration in Twee Rivieren to have the passport stamped. There are no South African customs officials in Mata-Mata- only Namibians. If you arrive in Mata-Mata, finding out that you've forgotten to go to SA immigration, you'll HAVE TO DRIVE BACK TO TWEE RIVIEREN TO HAVE THE PASSPORTS STAMPED! Namibia WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO PASS WITHOUT THE STAMP, AND THE S.A. OFFICIALS WILL NOT DRIVE TO MATA-MATA!

You are allowed to enter from Namibia as a day vistor, however do bear the following in mind: should you plan to use the Park as a thoroughfare between SA and Namibia, you must spend two (2) nights in the Park; people entering and trying to pass through without spending the compulsory nights were escorted out of the Park at their ports of entry, so please don't take chances!

Also, do take the immigration office's hours in consideration- not passing by immigration because the offices were closed will not be accepted as an excuse!
The office hours are 08:00-16:00 (at Twee Rivieren and Mata-Mata)- just remember that Namibian time is GMT+1, and not GMT+2 as in South Africa, so they will run an hour earlier.

Re day visits : With or without a stamped passport?

Nice information!
We are staying in KTFP in Twee Rivieren around christmas this year. Afterwards we planned to travel into Namibia. I was wondering if this border crossing is also for non- 4x4 cars? If so, is it save in this time of the year?
Thank you so much!
Tim

Hai, just another question about this. Do you have to stamp your pasport on the day that you leave SA and enter Namibia or can they do that a few days earlier...
Otherwise I have to go from Kalahari Tented in 1 day back to 2Rivieren have a stamp in my pasport and drive back to Mata Mata???

Timbu: the crossing is for all vehicles. Unless otherwise specified, all roads/crossings on the South African side of the KTP are passable for sedans.Please specify what you mean with "safe"....

Ruud:Do you enter in Twee Rivieren? If so, you get your passport stamped when you leave there, and the Namibians at Mata-Mata will do the rest when you enter their country.

But if you enter KTP from Namibia at Mata Mata and return to Namibia through Mata Mata a week later, where do we get our passports stamped then?
Safarigirl

You don't need to. Any entry and exit from the same gate is treated as internal to the country of entry/exit.

I need to leave SA on the 31 January since my visa expires on that date.
Now I am planning on a long trip through Southern Africa and will only return back to SA in a couple of months time.
If I get my passport stamped at Twee Rivieren will this mean that I have officialy checked out of SA and that I could leave the park through Mata Mata even after the 31 January?

No; you might have formalized everything through customs, but you only leave the country when you exit the Park either into Botswana or Namibia. As such, you would need to exit the Park itself into a neighbouring country on, ny the latest, the day that you visa expires.

Hi there, we will be entering @ 2 Riv on the 17th Dec, spend 1 night, then 2 nights @ Nossob and then 1 night at Mata Mata, leaving the park on the 21st.
Can we have our passports stamped on the 17th @ 2 Riv and only leave 4 days later via Mata Mata?

Hi TFP

If I would enter the TFP through Mata Mata from Namibia would it be possible to stay in the park even though I do not have a valid visa for South Africa.

I would again leave through Mata Mata and therefore never formally enter South Africa.

Your help is much appreciated since I want to spend some time in this beautiful park.

Cheers

Morning goufer

I've confirmed with immigration: you don't need an SA visa if you enter and exit the Park through the Namibian gate- the rules are then the same as for day visitors; it is only necessary when leaving through either SA or Botswana.

Hi There

Just hoping someone could confirm that the road on the Namibia side of Mata Mata border crossing is ok for a normal small sedan please. I see that the SA side is fine - but just wanted to double check the Namibian side.
From what I can see it's a "C" road - usually ok - but they can vary. If anyone has any idea of the travel time to Keetmanshoop - it would be much appreciated.
many thanks

I was going to do that piece up to Gobabis in mid Jan, and the info I got is that the roads are pretty good. Just ensure you have enough petrol. Fill up at MM.

The roads out of Mata-Mata to Keetmanshoop, etc are fine for all vehicles. They are gravel, of course, but nothing other than dusty. Just beware of unmarked roads for shortcuts.....