Reviews of Mata Mata Rest Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
15 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Mata Mata Rest Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Mata Mata Rest Camp review"
Toaster performed well on both sides of bread! Fresh bread bigger and better than Nossob.
Waterhole very productive. Twice saw two lions once at the waterhole when sat out after dinner and another evening they passed by the waterhole trying to avoid all the searchlights tourists point at them.
Queues here even longer to get out and as a result we missed two leopards, in addition you are also behind vehicles from Kalahari tented camp." See all these reviews: 8n in South Africa
Giraffe
8 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
3 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
"Mata Mata Rest Camp review"
Waterhole hardly frequented due to the heavy rains the park had received. That said saw some oryx on my final night from my chalet. Plenty of wildebeest turned up my final morning to see me off? Had a good chat with two ladies who were in a room adjoining reception on the Friday, who had birding knowledge (did not see them again over the weekend)" See all these reviews: 12n in South Africa
Cheetah
2 sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Meerkat
2 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
"Very nice room at Mata Mata"
The park was a bit hit and miss. Sometimes we would see nothing at all and then suddenly a leopard or a hunting lion. The fact that there was only one road meant it felt like pure luck when we would encounter something (rather than a result of our spotting skills)." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 4n in South Africa
Cheetah
1 sighting
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
"A handy, hard-to-get base"
There's nothing wrong with the chalet; it's a bit bleak, but it does a job. For drives, there's only one road, the one to Two RIvers. It is slow-going and, with distractions, it could easily take four hours to get to the other end. With open eyes, there's plenty of wild life; not dense (after all its semi-desert), but it is there.
We didn't do any of the organised game drives" See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia; 4n in South Africa
"Mata mata "
Clean and very well equipped and the proximity of the waterhole is probably the best we have ever encountered on our trips." See all these reviews: 7n in South Africa
"New riverside units - a step up from the old"
The new units beside the river are well designed, clean, well equipped, air conditioned and comfortable. The shop is fine but stock is limited and the filling station had fuel when we were there. The guide books recommend a walk to a farm shop just over the frontier in Namibia but I haven't tried that yet.
There always seems to be a good selection of wildlife around Mata Mata and we were not disappointed this time." See all these reviews: 16n in South Africa
"Mata Mata Rest Camp review"
Basic facilities in the camp. Good location for game viewing." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 4n in South Africa
"Nice camp"
The waterholes along the road were always worth a visit and spending a few minutes to see what was lying around in the shade set back from the water. We found one of the tell tales for lions or other big cats being around was a waterhole with nothing drinking from it. We again booked an evening game drive and were the only two people on the trip. The guide was again very knowledgeable and we were taken off the beaten track where you couldn't go had you been driving yourself.
We were unfortunate in having to change rooms during the two nights we spent here. There was the potential to have no where to shelter in the heat of the day. Fortunately we managed to link with the cleaning ladies and were able to move into the next room as soon as we returned from our morning game drive." See all these reviews: 10n in South Africa
"Mata Mata Rest Camp review"
The riverside lodges are a better option for anyone choosing to make Mata Mata a base for a few nights." See all these reviews: 10n in South Africa; 4n in Namibia
"Try and get a chalet overlooking the river"
Like the other camps it's recommended to bring your own water and the shop at the camp keeps the essentials. The frozen sosaties from the shop are recommended for your braai. We felt that of the larger camps this the best - but opinions differ." See all these reviews: 13n in South Africa
Holiday styles & special interests in South Africa
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in South Africa.
Other lodges in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Twee Rivieren
The Kgalagadi's largest restcamp, Twee Rivieren is the centre for the park's administration, and an obvious stop for food and fuel for self-driving visitors.
Kalahari Tented Camp
Kalahari Tented Camp, with self-catering accommodation, is an unusual and well positioned base for exploration of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Ta Shebube Rooiputs
One of just three private lodges in the Kgalagadi, Ta Shebube Rooiputs offers a well-appointed base from where you can explore this delightful National Park.
Nossob Rest Camp
A basic but very well positioned rest camp within the heart of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Simple self-catering accommodation is available as well as camping options
Gharagab Camp
Gharagab Wilderness Camp is located in a remote corner of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which is wonderful if you like wilderness areas. However, access takes time - so it's not the best base for exploring the park.
Bitterpan Camp
Bitterpan is a basic self-catering camp in the Kgalagadi's central dune-field; it suits experienced self-drivers comfortable with remote travel.
Grootkolk Camp
Grootkolk Wilderness Camp has quirky sand-bag self-catering accommodation and simple amenities, offering a comfortable place to stay while exploring the north western Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
!Xaus Lodge
!Xaus Lodge mixes guided wildlife safaris with very good community interactions, suiting those who prefer not to drive and cater for themselves.
Ta Shebube Polentswa
Although accessed via South Africa, Ta Shebube Polentswa is situated just across the border, in a private concession on the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Urikaruus Camp
Urikaruus is one of the most popular wilderness camps in the Kgalagadi National Park with lovely riverside cabins set high up on stilts overlooking the Auob riverbed.
Kielie Krankie Camp
Perched high atop a huge red sand dune, the small Kielie Krankie wilderness camp it is well positioned for accessing both east and west sides of the Kgalagadi National Park.
Molopo Lodge
Less than an hours' drive from the Kgalagadi, this makes a good base near to the park if you're arriving late in the afternoon.
The Motse at Tswalu
Tswalu Motse is a smart lodge located in the Tswalu Game Reserve, the largest private reserve in South Africa.
