The Mokala National Park is situated in the heart of the Karoo not far from Kimberley, better known for the diamonds that are mined here.
Click here to go directly to our Mokala Photo Gallery...
This huge tract of land in the Karoo offers some of the most beautiful semi desert landscapes you can dream of.
This is a fairly new South African National Park which replaces the original Vaalbos National Park which was also located in this vicinity.
After the Vaalbos National Park was closed the wildlife was relocated to the new Mokala National Park.
This is a great game reserve that is really worthwhile visiting. Personally, I loved the wide open expanses, the incredible display of stars and the Milky Way at night. I also really enjoyed the rustic camping at the Haak-en-Steek rest camp. It is good to get back to basics every now and then.
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Our
campsite at the Haak-en-Steek rest camp The camp is not fenced so game can move freely through the camping grounds. The camping grounds are level and there are some trees to provide shade. |
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This was the view from our
campsite. As this is typical
camping in the bush, the veld starts right on the doorstep of your tent. |
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The
Haak-en-Steek rest camp overlooks this small dam where the animals come
to drink. Rhinos and Buffalo come here to drink so be careful, especially after dark since there are no fences between you and the wildlife. |
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There
are basic ablutions consisting of showers with hot water and flushing
toilets. Hot water is always a great luxury in a rustic campsite such as this. |
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There is no electricity
available so you need to bring your
own gas lamps or battery powered lights. There are braai stands at each camping site. |
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Early
morning and ready to start exploring! We camped here towards the end of June in heart of the South African winter Even though the sun was up it the temperature was still -1C and the grass was covered with frost. Crisp, clear but chilly! |
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The
roads are all gravel roads and tracks. They were not in a bad
condition at the time. However, it was evident that a lot of grading, filling and repairs went into the roads since the rainy season. It is evident that a 4X4 would have been neccesary during the wet season. |
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Typical Karoo landscape. Wide flat expanse well covered in grass thanks to the good rains earlier in the year. |
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A sand
track disapearing in the distance towards a few low hills. These flatlands are in the Lilydale section of Mokala national Park. |
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The
Riet River forms the Northern Boundary of the Park It is a perfect spot for a picnic. |
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We spotted these buffalo late in the afternoon on our way to the Haak-and-Steek campsite. |
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Gemsbok!
These beautiful animals are found in most of the arid parks in Southern
Africa. In the back ground is one of the houses at Lilydale. Luxury accommodation in the heart of the Mokala National Park. |
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A
couple of magnificent Kudu Bulls. |
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Sable
Antelope is another example of wide variety of wildlife found at
Mokala... |
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...we were lucky enough to encounter a herd of these animals with a number youngsters included. |
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Zebras... |
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Roughly in the middle of The Mokala national Park is a Bird Hide overlooking this lovely dam. |
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Towards late afternoon the reflections in the water provides you with some stunning photo oppurtunities.... |
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...and
I simply cannot resist reflections in the water! |
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Although
the reflections are simply stunning do not forget to bring a pair of
binoculars and your Bird Guide Book. You can spend many hours bird watching while the reflections lengthen on the water. Game also frequent the area and will come for a drink among the trees on the far bank. |
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It
just gets better and better as the afternoon goes by... |
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...upside down or reflections in the water? |
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Last one...believe me, I still have a hundred on my camera! |
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Sunset
over Mokala... As the sun sets the temperature immediately drops below freezing. As cold as it can get in winter... ...it gets as hot in summer so do take note of the season and prepare your trip accordingly. |
I hope you have enjoyed the pictures in this gallery. The contact details if you would like to go see for yourself is :
Tel: +27 (0)53 2040 158 / 164 /168
Fax: +27 (0)53 2040 176
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