Mokala National Park

A Gem in the Thornveld

South Africa's newest national park is small compared with the likes of Kruger, but certainly not short of wildlife. Black and white rhinos, buffalos, giraffes, zebras and a long list of antelopes are found in the park's 20,000 hectares. I spent a couple of hours driving around one morning and spotted many animals. I even came across a buffalo lounging in the middle of the road.
With its low Big Five count, Mokala isn't worth a special trip, but its location, off the N12 freeway southwest of Kimberley, makes it a handy stopoff on a cross-country journey. The park also offers a good range of activities and lodges among its rocky hills, sandy plains and camel thorn trees.