Mokala National Park, Kimberley, Northern Cape
Mokala National Park in the Northern Cape offers something special…
Despite conservation efforts and the translocation of game from other breeding programmes in other Southern African countries, there are still several species of Southern African antelope that remain anywhere from highly threatened to vulnerable. One of the most threatened of these species is the Roan Antelope. Notoriously difficult to transport with often high mortality rates, and with endemic South African populations facing extinction, saving the Roan Antelope has been an uphill battle for SanParks. The Mokala National Park is now one of the very few places where you can see this beautiful and shy animal.
Mokala is not only SanParks newest National Park, but it is a jewel in the SanParks crown. The 20 000ha Park was only proclaimed in 2007, but received National acclaim in 2009 for Service and Tourism Excellence, winning first place in the Parks and Reserves division over 1000 competing entries.
Mokala is home to several threatened species, and while many of these can be seen elsewhere, Mokala offers a high concentration of highly endangered to previously endangered (and so still vulnerable) ‘recovering population’ species. These include Roan antelope, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Tsessebe and the endemic Black Wildebeest. In addition the Park protects the Southern Africa Camelthorn tree – a crucial desert species with medicinal and nutritional properties that plays an important role in the survival of both humans and certain animal species in often arid and harsh conditions.
Other animals that can be seen include Buffalo, Mountain Reedbuck, Giraffe, Gemsbok, Eland, Zebra, Red Hartebeest, Blue Wildebeest, Kudu, Ostrich, Steenbok, Duiker and Springbok.
Mokala features 3 Lodges with offering accommodation in the luxury to sem-luxury range as well as Rest Camps and a camping site.
Activities on Mokala include sunrise, morning, afternoon and sunset game drives, a rock art drive, and bush braais. Day visitors are welcomed, but all activities must be booked two hours in advance and no children under the age of 6 are permitted on the game drives or rock art drive.
Getting there: Take the N12 south from Kimberley turning right at the sign for Mokala after 57 km. The Reserve is further 25km. Total distance is about 80km.
| More info on the quaint town of Kimberley | More info on the Diamond Fields area |
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