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Here is my travel tale I want to share about our day visit to Mokala Park 2 April 2013.
The Mokala Park is the youngest park that Sanparks have opened. It was opened in 2007. I grabbed the opportunity to visit the Park on our way back from the Eastern Cape.
When I took the turn off from the N12 to the Mosu gate I thought that the gravel road wasn’t as bad as the people say, but I was wrong. It is a badly corrugated road, and I reckon it is greatly because of the farmers going at high speeds on the road. We drove slowly with the car until we got to the gate.

There is a 2 way radio that you use to talk to the people at reception. I called and we were welcomed and passage were granted. We had to report to reception so we drove directly there. Its about 6km inside the park.
Mokala means Kameeldoring and there is lots of the beautiful trees

Koedoe

At reception we got our day visit permit

Inside reception

We decided to walk down the passage to the restaurant for breakfast. The grass was green after the rains and a lady told us that the waterhole in front of the chalets had water because of the needed rain.


We were too late for breakfast. They serve from 8 to 10 am then close to re-open at 12 to 2pm for lunch. The friendly staff took our order for lunch and we were off to explore Mokala Park.
We took the Tessebe loop first.
A first for me was this Northern Black Korhaan

A big Warthog ploughing through the mud

We then turned right onto the Matopi loop
Some Giraffe

You can imagine my surprise to see this lonely Blesbok. Great sighting.

We stopped at the Matopi picnic site

Very rustic and primitive, but that is exactly what we wanted.


A Rooihartbees on his way

Springbok between Wildebeest

Tessebe after a mudbath

A nice close up of a Gemsbok

We made our way back to reception for lunch. The inside of the restaurant


We had the Mokala Burger, and I recommend, because it was very tasty.
After lunch we took the road North to Lilydale. There was closures because of the rain so we took a alternative road that was made available.
Interesting brother of the Kruger Squirrel


Then came a very special sighting for me, in December 2012 I searched for the Eland in Kruger park,but could not find them. I found their cousins here. There was a few hiding in the shade.


We were nearing the Lilydale gate when another special and first ever sighting of a Roan happend. I just saw the bent over backwards horns, when I slammed on the brakes and reversed. As I went back I said to my wife “its either Roan or Sable” and behold

It was the first time ever that I saw a Roan. He just laid there under the tree. I did not get great photos but I did see a Roan Antelope.

We did not even get to the Northern part of the park with the Lilydale Lodge and loops as it was getting late.
At the Lilydale gate I radioed the reception again. They asked for my exit permit number, thanked met for the visit and wished me a safe journey.

As we drove away on a not that better gravel road, my thoughts were that of “what a great day in Mokala Park.”
Although the park is small it is great, there was not lots of cars and people and it is not commercial driven. Its a great escape. I will sertanly visit again to explore the rest of Mokala.

Another great little report! In the last week I have been considering adding this park to our visit next year I think we might not make it, but a definite for the future.

What a thrill to see that Roan.

Thanks for the glimpse into Mokala

Wow roan and eland this is a definite park of note then in my opinion Congrats on those sightings thanks for sharing this

Hi Wildkyker,

Thanks for sharing your travel tale to Mokala. Lovely pics and great sightings spotting the eland and roan.

Pity you could not stay longer to spot the black wildebeest near Lilydale Lodge. I hope you did have time to stop at Stofdam and that it was not close off due to the rain.

Thanks for another report of a park which I simply "have" to visit one day because of the variety of antelopes

Lucky for you that you could spot eland and roan

Very nice WK & thanks for sharing.

I STILL haven't seen roan in the wild. Now I know where to go.

WOW what can I say - it looks so amazing! I will add this to our future adventures. We are hoping to start with the Kruger National Park next year - but this just great. Thanks too for the amazing photos - a nice glimpse of what to expect.

Thanx for everybodies views and replies. How wonderful to see these great antelope. Its just a great feeling to have searched so long then finaly there it is. It an amazing feeling. I still have a few animals on my realy whant to see list. Let the search go on

Wildkyker, thank you for sharing such a remarkable "Day Visit" TR with us.
Stunning pics of all Sightings and Mokala
Definitely adding Mokala to my wish list. (Thanks to you!)