It has 3 of the Big 5 African mammals, but it's primary focus is the rare antelope of Southern Africa.
This image is taken looking south-west over the open grasslands of the Lilydale section towards the dolerite hills and bushveld of the Mosu section.
Note the red kalahari sand in the foreground.
On my first full day in the park I had wonderful sightings in the grasslands.......
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| a solitary Gemsbok (Oryx) |
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| Roan Antelope |
I spent some time at the lookout point over this waterhole in the middle of the grasslands, and had a herd of Eland antelope run past, without pausing, and then this small group of Tsessebe run down to the water.
Most of the summer rainfall areas of South Africa have had a really good season this year and the grasslands were lush with most of the antelope looking fat and in good condition.
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| Eland |
Later in the morning I went south-west to the bushveld and saw many more tsessebe, giraffe, springbok, zebra, warthog and so on.
I also got a punctured tyre!! - the camel thorn trees in this part of the world have vicious thorns!!
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| Tsessebe |
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| Tsessebe female and calves |
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| Plains zebra and a midday drink |
On day 2, after getting my tyre fixed at the nearby little settlement of Modderrivier, I had another great day in Mokala.
This time I went meandering through the dolerite hills and valleys, which had abundant game, and then on west to the far side of Mokala, seeing more game in the flat, lush, thorn tree park lands.
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| Warthog close to camp |
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| Buffalo sheltering from the heat |
A herd of springbok coming down to drink.
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| Red hartebeest |
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| Plains zebra |
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| Gemsbok (Oryx) |
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| Giraffe |
I would definitely like to visit Mokala again, and perhaps stay in the other rest camp, Mosu, which is located in the hilly southern section.
I can also recommend Lilydale camp where I stayed this time. It's on the high bank above the Riet River and has glorious views. I include below, the view from my chalet's deck at 3 different times of the day.
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| Early evening and sundowner time |
Clear skies, and my first ever attempt at photographing the stars!
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| Dawn on my last morning |
There had been some distant wildfires the previous day, so a little smoke in the atmosphere produced these wonderful colours the next morning.
This little gem of a park is well worth visiting. The official website recommends a minimum of 2 nights, but I spent 3 nights and had no time to get bored.
So on your next road-trip between the south and north, or west and east of South Africa, plan to stop here for a few nights.
