MDF Magazine Issue 67 April 2022

TRAVEL
visited by four black-backed jackals interested in our presence and the possibility of scoring a free meal.
They never posed a problem or threat, but we kept a close eye on them and ensured that there were no
temptations on offer which might cause the quartet to encroach too closely. We enjoyed their company
a great deal, and since they were only a few metres away for nearly an hour, we came to appreciate how
handsome, refined and elegant they were. It goes without saying that in situations such as this you DO
NOT feed the animals!
On our last visit we returned to the camp just before the 7 pm curfew after enjoying an early supper
braai with friends camping in Mata Mata. SANParks quite rightly doesn't want visitors moving around
in the dark in an unfenced wilderness area. Approaching our tent, we found that the campsite had
gained a visiting car guard, one which had no need for tips! Lying right outside the car parking area of
a neighbouring tent was a very sleepy-looking lioness. Obviously that was the most comfortable spot
for her, and fortunately for us we were able to sneak by and reach our own accommodation safely. She
was in fact one of two lionesses sleeping in the camp that night, with the other being the mother of two
new cubs secreted in the bushes nearby. The following day, spooked by the proximity of an adult male
lion, the two girls moved the cubs to a safer location. You can only enjoy these sorts of experiences in
a wilderness camp!
The larger, fenced camp of Mata Mata is just a few kilometres down the road and offers visitors the
opportunity to refuel their motor vehicles and to refuel themselves at the small convenience store. Basic
food items are available as well as the important items of drinking water and braai supplies. Mata Mata
also functions as a border post between Namibia and South Africa.
All of the safari tents have solar power for lighting purposes and use gas for cooking and refrigeration.
The local water is not potable and can be used only for washing purposes. All drinking water has to be
carried in by you; hence the possible convenience of nearby Mata Mata. The entire safari tent area is on
one level, with the parking space consisting of hard, compacted gravel, and the accommodation area
having a mixture of concrete and wood flooring.
he tent’s en suite bathroom is wheelchair accessible, with limitations. It is small, with only frontal access
to be toilet and narrow side access to the shower. There are grab rails in all the usual places, and the
handbasin is at a suitable height for wheelchair access. These might be issues if you are permanently
confined to a wheelchair, but if you are able to stand, take a couple of steps, or have assistance they
would not be a problem. Something which we have tried recently and found to be really successful has
been to purchase a couple of rubber car footwell mats (from MIDAS) and place them strategically in the
bathroom where good traction is required. They travel in the car, in the footwell, so they don't take up
any space, and they can help to make slippery bathroom floors far more manageable.
Keep safe!
27