Mokala National Park
Encyclopedia
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.
s, 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.
(Kalahari and Nama Karoo biomes; the former being flat and sandy dotted with camel thorns, umbrella thorns
, puzzle bush
es 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.
are to be found, besides a range of smaller species. There are mosquito
es during summer, but this is a malaria
-free zone.
Other game species include:
s frequent Mosu Lodge, using the buildings as an artificial nest structure, while greater striped swallow
s nest beneath the eaves of the restaurant's thatched roof.
Other bird species include:
Note: there is no petrol station in the Park. The nearest petrol station is at Modderrivier (48 km).
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.
Plooysburg
Plooysburg is a small town about 70 km west of Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa. It is situated close to the Riet River. With a church, school, police station and shop it serves a local farming and farm-worker community. Nearby is the rock art site of Driekops Eiland, and the Mokala...
area south-west of Kimberley
Kimberley, Northern Cape
Kimberley is a city in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. It is located near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The town has considerable historical significance due its diamond mining past and siege during the Second Boer War...
in the Northern Cape
Northern Cape
The Northern Cape is the largest and most sparsely populated province of South Africa. It was created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. Its capital is Kimberley. It includes the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, part of an international park shared with Botswana...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
on 19 June 2007. The size of the Park is 26 485 hectares. Mokala is the Setswana
Tswana language
Tswana or Setswana is a language spoken in Southern Africa by about 4.5 million people. It is a Bantu language belonging to the Niger–Congo language family within the Sotho languages branch of Zone S , and is closely related to the Northern- and Southern Sotho languages, as well as the Kgalagadi...
name for the magnificent camel thorn
Acacia erioloba
Acacia erioloba is also commonly known as the Camel Thorn, Kameeldoring , Giraffe Thorn or Mokala . The Mokala National Park in the Northern Cape is named after this tree. The type specimen of Acacia giraffae, proved on closer examination to be a hybrid of A. haematoxylon and the species which...
, 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, 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 giraffeGiraffe
The giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all extant land-living animal species, and the largest ruminant...
s, 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
Bushmen
The indigenous people of Southern Africa, whose territory spans most areas of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola, are variously referred to as Bushmen, San, Sho, Barwa, Kung, or Khwe...
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 savannaSavanna
A savanna, or savannah, is a grassland ecosystem characterized by the trees being sufficiently small or widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to support an unbroken herbaceous layer consisting primarily of C4 grasses.Some...
(Kalahari and Nama Karoo biomes; the former being flat and sandy dotted with camel thorns, umbrella thorns
Acacia tortilis
Acacia tortilis, the Umbrella Thorn Acacia, also known as Umbrella Thorn and Israeli Babool, is a medium to large canopied tree native primarily to the savanna and Sahel of Africa , but also occurring in the Middle East....
, puzzle bush
Ehretia rigida
Ehretia rigida, commonly known as Deurmekaarbos , is a small, multi-stemmed tree with a tangled growth habit belonging to the Boraginaceae or borage family...
es 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 antelopeRoan Antelope
The Roan Antelope is a savanna antelope found in West, Central, East Africa and Southern Africa.Roan Antelope stand about a metre and half at the shoulder and weigh around 250 kilograms. Named for the "roan' colour , they have a lighter underbelly, white eyebrows and cheeks and a black face,...
are to be found, besides a range of smaller species. There are mosquito
Mosquito
Mosquitoes are members of a family of nematocerid flies: the Culicidae . The word Mosquito is from the Spanish and Portuguese for little fly...
es during summer, but this is a malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
-free zone.
Other game species include:
- AardvarkAardvarkThe aardvark is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa...
- Black-backed jackalBlack-backed JackalThe black-backed jackal , also known as the silver-backed or red jackal, is a species of jackal which inhabits two areas of the African continent separated by roughly 900 km. One region includes the southern-most tip of the continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe...
- Black wildebeestBlack WildebeestThe Black Wildebeest or White-tailed Gnu is one of two wildebeest species. The natural populations of this species, endemic to the southern part of Africa, have been almost completely exterminated, but the species has been reintroduced widely, both in private areas and nature reserves throughout...
- Blue wildebeestBlue WildebeestThe Blue Wildebeest , also called the Common Wildebeest, is a large antelope and one of two species of wildebeest. It grows to 115–145 cm shoulder height and attains a body mass of 168–274 kg. They range the open plains, bushveld and dry woodlands of Southern and East Africa, living for...
- Common warthog
- ElandCommon ElandThe common eland , also known as the southern eland or eland antelope, is a savannah and plains antelope found in East and Southern Africa. It is the largest antelope in the African continent...
- GemsbokGemsbokThe gemsbok or gemsbuck is a large antelope in the Oryx genus. It is native to the arid regions of southern Africa, but formerly some authorities included the East African Oryx as a subspecies...
- GiraffeGiraffeThe giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all extant land-living animal species, and the largest ruminant...
- ImpalaImpalaAn impala is a medium-sized African antelope. The name impala comes from the Zulu language meaning "gazelle"...
- KuduKuduThe kudus are two species of antelope of the genus Tragelaphus:*Lesser Kudu, Tragelaphus imberbis*Greater Kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros- Etymology :...
- Mountain reedbuckMountain ReedbuckThe Mountain Reedbuck is an antelope found in mountainous areas of much of Sub-Saharan Africa.The Mountain Reedbuck averages 75 cm at the shoulder, and weighs around 30 kg. It has a grey coat with a white underbelly and reddish-brown head and shoulders...
- Plains zebraPlains ZebraThe plains zebra , also known as the common zebra or Burchell's zebra, is the most common and geographically widespread species of zebra. It ranges from the south of Ethiopia through East Africa to as far south as Angola and eastern South Africa...
- Red hartebeestRed HartebeestThe Red Hartebeest is a species of even-toed ungulate in the Bovidae family. It is found in Southern Africa. There are more than 130,000 individuals left. The Red Hartebeest is closely related to the Tsessebe and the Topi....
- 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 buntingCape Bunting
The Cape Bunting, Emberiza capensis, is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae.-Taxonomy:There are a dozen subspecies, differing in plumage, but all have the distinctive head pattern and rufous in the wings. The northeastern race E. c. vincenti is very dark above, and slaty below. It...
s frequent Mosu Lodge, using the buildings as an artificial nest structure, while greater striped swallow
Greater Striped Swallow
The Greater Striped Swallow is a large swallow. It breeds in southern Africa, mainly in South Africa, Namibia and southern Zimbabwe. It is migratory wintering further north in Angola, Tanzania and southern Zaire.This is a bird of dry open country, such as grassland, and has a preference for hills...
s nest beneath the eaves of the restaurant's thatched roof.
Other bird species include:
- Ashy tit
- Cape penduline-tit
- Common fiscalCommon FiscalThe Common Fiscal is a member of the shrike family found through most of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is also sometimes named Fiscal Shrike, as well as Jackie Hangman or Butcher Bird due to its habit of impaling its prey on acacia thorns to store the food for later consumption. It is sometimes split...
- Crimson-breasted shrike
- Familiar chatFamiliar ChatThe Familiar Chat, Cercomela familiaris, is a small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is a common resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara in rocky and mountainous habitat and around human habitation.-Description:...
- Fawn-coloured lark
- Fiscal flycatcherFiscal FlycatcherThe Fiscal Flycatcher, Sigelus silens, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It is a resident breeder in Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland, and a vagrant to Namibia...
- Fork-tailed drongoFork-tailed DrongoThe Fork-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis, also called the Common Drongo, African Drongo or Savanna Drongo, is a drongo, a type of small passerine bird of the Old World tropics. The species was earlier considered to cover Asia, but the Asian species is now called the Black 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 vultureWhite-backed VultureThe White-backed Vulture is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is closely related to the European Griffon Vulture, G. fulvus...
- White-rumped swiftWhite-rumped SwiftThe White-rumped Swift is a small swift. Although this bird is superficially similar to a House Martin, it is completely unrelated to that passerine species. The resemblances between the swallows and swifts are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles.Swifts have very short legs...
- Yellow-bellied eremomelaYellow-bellied EremomelaThe Yellow-bellied Eremomela is an Old World warbler. However, the taxonomy of the "African warblers", an assemblage of usually species-poor and apparently rather ancient "odd warblers" from Africa is currently in a state of flux.The Yellow-bellied Eremomela is a common breeding species in Africa...
- Yellow canary
10 things to seek
- Black & white rhinoRhinocerosRhinoceros , also known as rhino, is a group of five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia....
- Cape buffalo
- Cape vultureCape VultureThe Cape Griffon or Cape Vulture , also known as Kolbe's Vulture, is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is endemic to southern Africa, and is found mainly in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana and in some parts of northern Namibia...
- Roan antelopeRoan AntelopeThe Roan Antelope is a savanna antelope found in West, Central, East Africa and Southern Africa.Roan Antelope stand about a metre and half at the shoulder and weigh around 250 kilograms. Named for the "roan' colour , they have a lighter underbelly, white eyebrows and cheeks and a black face,...
- Tsessebe
- GemsbokGemsbokThe gemsbok or gemsbuck is a large antelope in the Oryx genus. It is native to the arid regions of southern Africa, but formerly some authorities included the East African Oryx as a subspecies...
- Springbuck
- Martial eagleMartial EagleThe Martial Eagle , is a very large eagle found in open and semi-open habitats of sub-Saharan Africa. It is the only member of the genus Polemaetus.-Description:...
- Kori bustardKori BustardThe Kori Bustard is a large bird native to Africa. It is a member of the bustard family. It may be the heaviest bird capable of flight....
- Shepherd's treeBoscia albitruncaBoscia albitrunca, commonly called Witgatboom, Matoppie, or Shepherd's Tree, grows up to 10 metres tall but usually much smaller. It is an evergreen tree native to Southern and Tropical Africa, living in the hot, dry, and often brackish low-lying areas, sometimes on abundant lime and occasionally...
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
- AstronomyAstronomyAstronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
and Southern Night Sky Edutainment Experience (guided game drive, professional educational presentation and large telescope viewing) - Bush breakfast and braaiBraaiThe word braaivleis is Afrikaans for "grilled meat."The word braai is Afrikaans for "barbecue" or "grill" and is a social custom in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The term originated with the Afrikaner people, but has since been adopted by South Africans of many...
(barbecueBarbecueBarbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
) - Bushman rock artRock artRock art is a term used in archaeology for any human-made markings made on natural stone. They can be divided into:*Petroglyphs - carvings into stone surfaces*Pictographs - rock and cave paintings...
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 HopetownHopetown
Hopetown lies at the edge of the Great Karoo in South Africa's Northern Cape province. It stands on an arid slope leading down to the Orange River. The first diamond discovered in South Africa, the Eureka Diamond, was found at Hopetown.-History:...
road (N12), after 57 km right at the Hayfield/Heuningneskloof crossing (estimated time from Kimberley to Mokala 90 minutes). From Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, 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.