South Africa's Mokala National Park
Help Me PlanMokala National Park Destination Guide
Mokala National Park is a place of dramatic beauty and quiet wildness. Set 70 km southwest of Kimberley in South Africa’s Northern Cape, it sits where the Kalahari meets the Karoo. Visitors come for rare antelope, open vistas, and far-from-the-crowds tranquility in natural surroundings across rugged hills and camel thorn plains.
Getting There
By Air: The nearest airport is Kimberley (KIM), about 70 km from the park. On arrival, you are met and transferred by road to your lodge or camp within Mokala. Scheduled flights also serve Bloemfontein (BFN) and Upington (UTN), with onward road transfers available.
By Road: Distances are approximately 575 km from Johannesburg and 900 km from Cape Town. Our itineraries often include an overnight stop en route. Travel is in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with an African Sky guide.
Weather & Best Time To Visit
Spring (September–October) and autumn (April–May) offer the most comfortable conditions, though spring can be arid. Mid-summer is extremely hot, while winter nights and early mornings can be very cold—pack warm layers.
The park lies at the meeting point of the Kalahari and Karoo biomes. “Mokala,” a Setswana word for camel thorn, reflects the signature trees of its sandy woodlands. These hardy trees are a vital food source and shelter for wildlife across the reserve. Around fifty mammal species occur here.
Experiences to Savor at Mokala National Park
Nature lovers will find ample moments to savor—from golden hours on hilltops to quiet pans alive with birds.
Tree-Dotted Plains
The Kalahari–Karoo transition creates arresting vistas. From hilltop lookouts, camel thorn punctuates tawny plains like brushstrokes on canvas—endlessly shifting with light and weather.
Amazing Sunsets
Fiery sunsets paint the semi-desert sky. Find a quiet spot in late afternoon, pour a favorite drink, and watch nature’s daily show—equal parts spectacle and solace.
