Mokala National Park

Mokala National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Location of the park
Location	Northern Cape, South Africa
Nearest city	Kimberley
Coordinates	29°10′S 24°21′E / 29.167°S 24.35°E / -29.167; 24.35Coordinates: 29°10′S 24°21′E / 29.167°S 24.35°E / -29.167; 24.35
Area	200 km2 (77 sq mi)
Established	19 June 2007
Governing body	South African National Parks
Official website

Mokala National Park is a reserve established in the Plooysburg area south-west of Kimberley in the Northern Cape, South Africa on 19 June 2007. The size of the Park is 26 485 hectares. Mokala is the Setswana name for the magnificent camel thorn, a tree species typical of the arid western interior and common in the area. There is currently 70 km of accessible roads in the National Park.

History

The new park effectively replaces the Vaalbos National Park 28°34′S 24°18′E / 28.567°S 24.3°E / -28.567; 24.3, which was deproclaimed to comply with land claims and diamond prospecting rights. In 1998, SANParks undertook a study of five areas to determine the best replacement locations. A 19 611-hectare tract of land, Wintershoek, was subsequently selected. In 2005, the land was purchased and plans for the re-introduction of game were formed. The first five animals, a group of giraffes, were released into the reserve in June 2006, and a year later it was officially proclaimed.

The cultural diversity of the area consist of many San rock engravings and Anglo Boer War battlefields.

Climate

The Northern Cape is a dry region with fluctuating temperatures and differing topographies. The weather is typically that of desert and semi-desert areas. The annual rainfall is never high (between 300-500 mm, average 400 mm) and is always lower than the rate of evaporation. Summers (from December to February) are hot with temperatures usually between 33 ºC and 36 ºC. Although not common, summer temperatures in the Northern Cape can exceed 40 ºC. During the summer months, the rainy season thunderstorms occurs in the central and eastern areas and is often accompanied by heavy thunderstorms, whereas winter rainfall occur mainly in the western region. During winter (June to August), day temperatures are generally mild to warm (22 ºC), but at night it can be cold, often below 0 ºC.

Landscape

This region is the transition zone of the savanna (Kalahari and Nama Karoo biomes; the former being flat and sandy dotted with camel thorns, umbrella thorns, puzzle bushes and haystack-like sociable weaver nests constructed in the larger trees, and the latter characterised by rocky lava outcrops, clacrete and shales. The southern region of the park, closest to the entrance gate, is more plains-like, with isolated camel thorns and tall grasses. The central regions of the Park consist of the Karoo-like habitats, with long rows of rocky outcrops interspersed with flat areas of grass and scrub. The base and lower slopes of the outcrops receive extra run-off and are better vegetated.

Wildlife

This Park is home to a number of endangered species and the main purpose of the Park is to protect these species. Cape buffalo, black rhino and roan antelope are to be found, besides a range of smaller species. There are mosquitoes during summer, but this is a malaria-free zone.

Other game species include:

• Aardvark
• Black-backed jackal
• Black wildebeest
• Blue wildebeest
• Common warthog
• Eland
• Gemsbok
• Giraffe
• Impala
• Kudu
• Mountain reedbuck
• Plains zebra
• Red hartebeest
• Southern African ground squirrel
• Southern African hedgehog
• Smith's red rock rabbit
• Springbuck
• Suricate
• Tsessebe
• White rhino

Birding

A bird list is available at reception. In summer, the best time to go birding in Mokala National Park is at sunrise, particularly between 07h30 and 09h00. The level of endemism at Mokala is high. The Kalahari sandveld habitats hold more bird species than the rocky areas, especially during times of higher rainfall. The endemic black-chested prinia thrives in the arid conditions of the Park. Chestnut-vented tit-babblers are attracted to the lawns surrounding the lodges. A fairly tame pair of Cape buntings frequent Mosu Lodge, using the buildings as an artificial nest structure, while greater striped swallows nest beneath the eaves of the restaurant's thatched roof.

Other bird species include:

• Ashy tit
• Cape penduline-tit
• Common fiscal
• Crimson-breasted shrike
• Familiar chat
• Fawn-coloured lark
• Fiscal flycatcher
• Fork-tailed drongo
• Grey-backed cisticola
• Kalahari scrub-robin
• Karoo scrub-robin
• Lark-like bunting
• Marico flycatcher
• Mountain wheatear
• Northern black korhaan
• Orange River white-eye
• Pririt batis
• Red-headed finch
• Rufous-eared warbler
• Sabota lark
• Scaly-feathered finch
• Short-toed rock-thrush
• Sociable weaver
• Southern ant-eating chat
• White-backed vulture
• White-rumped swift
• Yellow-bellied eremomela
• Yellow canary

10 things to seek

• Black & white rhino
• Cape buffalo
• Cape vulture
• Roan antelope
• Tsessebe
• Gemsbok
• Springbuck
• Martial eagle
• Kori bustard
• Shepherd's tree

Accommodation

Accommodation can be found at either of three lodges, Mosu, Mofele and Lilydale. Mosu Lodge overlooks a waterhole, which is intended to be a gathering place for game and birds. Besides the lodges, visitors can also stay at the rustic Haak-en-Steek camping site, about 10 km from Mosu Lodge. Self-catering wilderness camps and luxury private camp sites are planned for the future.

Facilities

• Information at reception
• Public telephones and post box
• Restaurant and bar
• Basic first aid assistance
• Hotel bouquet cable television (DStv) in bar
• Light aircraft landing strip
• Conference facilities with wireless internet connection
• Swimming pool
• Lounge and fire place
• High and low-rope structure

Note: there is no petrol station in the Park. The nearest petrol station is at Modderrivier (48 km).

Activities

• Open-vehicle guided game drives
• Astronomy and Southern Night Sky Edutainment Experience (guided game drive, professional educational presentation and large telescope viewing)
• Bush breakfast and braai (barbecue)
• Bushman rock art excursions
• Wildlife documentary DVD shows
• Team building workshops
• Fly fishing
• River rafting
• Guided horse trails and guided mountain bike trails soon to be introduced

How to get there

The park is at this point not well signposted, but from Kimberley is reached via the Hopetown road (N12), after 57 km right at the Hayfield/Heuningneskloof crossing (estimated time from Kimberley to Mokala 90 minutes). From Cape Town, follow the N12 north past Hopetown, and turn left at 65 km at the crossing. After 21 km of gravel road, the gate of Mokala National Park on the right hand side. Access at the main entrance is arranged by intercom, and the gate remotely controlled from the main office.

See also

• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

References

• Anon. 16 Februarie 2007. Nuwe park in NK open binnekort. Volksblad: 10.
• Marais, L. 2009. In the zone. Mokala National Park. Africa - Birds & Birding 14 (1): 38-41.
• Smith, P. 15 September 2007. Mokala beslis 'n besoek werd. Volksblad: Bonus: 27.

External links

• Official website