Mata mata border

hi,
please,could you told me if i have to book the two nights obbligatory to stay in the park before,or could i do it at the mata mata border?
I have a toyota corolla,i'd like to know the driving distance from Mariental(Namibia) to the border(c23?)is it a good gravel road?The driving is it easy in the roads parks?(to TW and around)?
thank you very much

I have recently been told that the roads inside the park are not in a good condition. The corrugations are apparently very bad. The roads have always been very sandy but you do not need a 4x4 to get around. I would not call it easy driving, but you can get around. Keep in mind that the two main roads are in, or next to, river beds which are normally dry.
I would not go to the park without having pre-booked, unless I was camping, in which case I might take a chance depending on the season.
With the Mata-Mata entrance only having been opened a few days ago, I don't think you will find that many Thorn Tree posters would have been on that road.

thank you

All, diannet (the guru at SanParks forum) has confirmed that the 2 night rule will be strongly enforced to avoid abuse of the route through Kgalagadi between the two countries. As you can see from my link, there are a lot of worried people over on the SANParks forum that there will be much increased traffic through the park. However, the intention appears to be strongly in place that the route is for tourists only and that, as the park is often already at max capacity, then this will not be the case. hence, i think we can look upon it positively as a great route through to Namibia.

Re roads condition - the SANParks forumites sya the last part of the road from Upington OUTSIDE the park is in bad shape (but is being slowly tarred) and the roads inside the park are fine (particularly at the low speed limit). Generally I believe the gravel roads in Namibia are kept in excellent condition.

Thanks PoP. I presume that that means that one must spend (or pay for) at least 2 nights in the park in order to be allowed to use the Mata Mata border post ??

I suspect it may even mean - pay for and spend two nights in the park!