Mata Mata Landing Site

The closure was not due to a single incident but a combination of logistical, economic, and strategic factors. Key reasons include:
1. **Redundancy:** Air access to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park was consolidated at the better-equipped Twee Rivieren Airstrip (FATP), which has a tarred runway and is located at the park's main entrance.
2. **High Maintenance Costs:** The cost of maintaining a remote, little-used dirt airstrip in a harsh desert environment was prohibitive.
3. **Low Demand:** The airstrip served a very small number of light aircraft, making it economically unviable.
4. **Environmental Conservation:** Decommissioning non-essential infrastructure aligns with the conservation mission of South African National Parks (SANParks) to minimize human impact on the ecosystem.

The site is completely abandoned and defunct. Satellite imagery confirms the former runway is unmaintained, heavily overgrown with vegetation, and partially eroded. It has been reclaimed by the natural Kalahari landscape and is completely unusable for any aviation activity. The land is now an integrated part of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park wilderness area.

Mata Mata Landing Site was a basic, unpaved bush strip whose significance was purely functional. It provided vital air access to the remote Mata-Mata Rest Camp, one of the primary camps in what was then the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. Its operations were limited to light aircraft and included:
- **Logistical Support:** Supporting SANParks operations for anti-poaching patrols, wildlife management, veterinary services, and the transport of personnel and supplies.
- **Tourism:** Handling a small number of private and charter flights for tourists visiting the camp.
It was never a commercial airport but a utilitarian landing ground.

*Note on Identifiers: The ICAO code 'NA-0077' is a non-standard identifier, likely from a private or outdated database. It is not an official ICAO code. The 'NA' prefix is misleading; while the Mata-Mata camp is a border post to Namibia, the airstrip itself is physically located within South Africa.*

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Mata Mata Landing Site. The original reasons for its closure—cost, redundancy, and environmental policy—remain valid. All air traffic for the park is officially directed to the operational airstrips at Twee Rivieren (FATP) and Nossob (FANS). Reopening is considered highly improbable.