National park · South Africa
Mokala National Park
Enter Mokala National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (check) and self‑drive the game‑viewing roads in the cooler months Apr–Oct; avoid the hottest Dec–Jan days.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
260 km² (100 sq mi)100 sq mi (260 km²)
approximate
Established
2007
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
- Northern Cape ↗A car is effectively required; public transport between towns is minimal.
- Northern Cape ↗Fill the tank at every town; gaps between stations can run 200 km or more.
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Area
- 260 km² (100 sq mi)100 sq mi (260 km²)
- Official figure not published; estimate based on park boundaries (check).
- Established
- 2007
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Mokala National Park, established in 2007, protects a mix of veld, koppies and open plains in the Northern Cape, home to rhinos, antelope and iconic camel thorn trees.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2007.
Size and age
260 km² (100 sq mi)100 sq mi (260 km²) · national park since 2007
Official figure not published; estimate based on park boundaries (check).
Why go
- Explore a mix of veld, koppies and open plains with abundant antelope and big‑game.
- See the iconic camel thorn trees that dominate the landscape.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanPeak summer heat up to 44 °C (111 °F).Peak summer heat up to 111 °F (44 °C).
- FebVery hot, limited water sources.
- MarWarm but decreasing, good for wildlife spotting.
- AprMild, dry, ideal for hiking.
- MayCooler, low rain, comfortable trails.
- JunCold nights, daytime 10‑15 °C (59 °F), good for game viewing.Cold nights, daytime 10‑59 °F (15 °C), good for game viewing.
- JulColdest month, clear skies.
- AugSimilar to July, still cold.
- SepWarming up, dry, excellent conditions.
- OctMild, low rain, wildlife active.
- NovWarm but not extreme.
- DecHeat returns, water scarce.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black and white rhino, buffalo, tsessebe, roan antelope, kudu, zebra, springbokAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of prey and waterfowl near the Modder RiverMar–May, Sep–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kimberley Airport
Rent a car and drive south‑southwest on the N12 to the park gate (distance and time check).
check
From Kimberley town
Take the N12 south‑west, then turn onto the R357 to the park entrance (distance and time check).
check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Interpretation Centre | Exhibits on park history, geology and wildlife. | Open with park entry (check). |
| Game viewing area | Open plains and koppies where antelope, zebra and rhino roam. | Self‑drive; no guide needed. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from park map; approximate centre.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Fee not published; buy ticket at gate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed in the park.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use designated braais only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mosu Lodge
Basic rooms with restaurant (distance check).
In the park
Haak en Steek Camp
Campground (details check).
Safety
Extreme heat medium
Road accidents on remote gravel roads low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate and visitor centre have paved paths and parking.
- Trail sections include steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at accredited lodges that support park conservation.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep to marked roads.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mokala National Park?
The entry fee is not published online; buy a ticket at the gate (check current price).
What are the best hikes in Mokala National Park?
There are no verified hiking trails; the main activity is self‑driving the game‑viewing roads.
When is the best time to visit Mokala National Park?
April to October offers mild temperatures and dry conditions; June–August are coolest, while December–January can be extremely hot.
Can I drive my own car in the park?
Yes, self‑drive is allowed on the main roads; a park entry ticket is required.
Are there any accommodation options inside the park?
Haak en Steek Camp is inside the park; nearby options include Mosu Lodge and Lilydale Rest Camp.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Mokala National Park
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