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Arks, one thing that you also should just keep in mind is rain. Although there is no problem driving within the park by a normal sedan it do becomes a problem when it has rained. Last June when I have stayed at Mosu Lodge for 7 days, the road between Mosu Lodge and Lillydale were closed and when it did opened again it was only for 4x4 vehicles. If you are going to drive a normal sedan, I would suggest getting info from reception on the road conditions nearer the date of arrival.

Thanks Lonehill Birders and Spookie. I will be visiting at the end of October, so don't think I need worry too much about rain/mud, but glad for the warning

South Africa’s newest, shiniest national park.

Excellent!

I'll be driving from Joburg (Melville) to Mokala (Lilydale) on 26 October. First question, it looks like the N12 goes right thru Kimberley? And second, is there any sort of supermarket close to the N12 — I think that there may be a Spar? — where I might buy things like milk and veggies?

I'll be able to get most of my groceries at the PnP and Woolies that are close to where I stay in Melville, but it's a longish drive, so if possible, it would be nice to get those few things that might spoil closer to Mokala

Arks i would suggest you get most of the stuff you need in melville . Its a long road to Mokala . We travelled that road recently and I cant remember seeing any decent super markets en route .( kimberlyhas super markets but its the bother of trying to find parking etc and having to get off the main road . Have a great time there .. )

It would be a good idea if you could do your shopping beforehand. Take the Woollies or PnP long-life milk, use a cooler for the rest, you don't want to waste precious time stopping in a strange town to do shopping.
We travelled to Mokala on the N1 via Bloemfontein, then turned right onto the R48, towards Kimberley (look on Google maps)
The N1 is quicker to travel on, better condition and there's only 2 stop/starts just outside Bloem on the R48, otherwise the road is quiet and in good condition. At Petrusburg you turn left onto the R705, via Jacobsdal, and you reach the N12 about 55km south of Kimberley. As you reach the N12, you cross straight over onto a dirt road which is the access road to Lilydale. We much preferred this road to the N12.

The N 12 does in fact go through Kby.Just before you exit Kby you will pass a Super Spar where you can buy whatever you need.There is more than enough parking.
Enjoy your trip!

Thanks to all for the advice and suggestions

@ Lonehill Birders: I hadn't considered the N1, but it does look like a better option — Google maps tells me that while the route is longer than the N12, it's faster I'll still want to get at least milk (I don't care for longlife milk at all) closer to Mokala, will there be a basic shop at Petrusberg or Jacobsdal? Also, where's the best place for topping up my petrol? As for 'wasting precious time', as an overseas visitor, I often find doing shopping in a strange town part of the adventure!

arks, you will find fresh milk and bread at any of the large filling station shops, in the vicinity of Bloemfontein. You by-pass Bloem on the N1, but there are 3 filling stations before you turn off onto the R48. They also have limited supplies of groceries, remember to take charcoal and wood with you.
It took us less than 6 hours to travel to Lilydale, and we, being birders who stop for no reason at all, took it easy. The traffic was also fairly light. I am sure Petrusburg and Jacobsdal will have a Spar at least, we didn't notice, because we had stocked up with everything we needed beforehand.
If you want to stop for fuel and breakfast along the way, just before Kroonstad is a good place to eat and buy your supplies (it's either a Shell or Engen garage with Wimpy and take-away)

Thanks for your suggestions LHB, perhaps I should explain that I'm flying into ORTambo on 25 Oct, sleeping over in Melville (to combat the jetlag), where I'll be having breakfast with a friend before heading for Mokala. I can do most of my grocery shopping in Melville, but what I'd really like to know is where is the closest place to Mokala where I can buy milk and petrol — Jacobsdal? Petrusburg? Or must I take care of these things before the R48 turnoff? Since I'll be leaving Joburg with a full (hired car) tank, I'd prefer to top up as close to Mokala as possible.

Its a long way round to go via Bloemfontein . I would go via Kimberley and buy these essentials there . You pass a number of shops and filling stations in the city where you can get it .

Besides , the only people who go to Bloemfontein , are those were born there , and still do not know how to get out of the place

LOL@okie, that's why they built a bypass around Bloem!
I agree that the distance is longer, I don't know about the condition of the N12, going via the N1 was just a suggestion, not written in stone. It's up to arks to decide which way to go Petrol is freely available in every town in SA, so is milk etc, no matter which road you ultimately decide to travel on.

In Mokala, do not miss out on Stofdam and the bird hide as well as the waterhole at the far end (the turn) of Matopi loop. I usually sit there for hours watching and taking photos of the birds. Look for my trip reports on my blog (in the right hand side you'll find links to my other trips reports to Mokala. I've just return from a weekend away in Mokala (I am a regular visitor to the park) and I am preparing the latest trip report for my blog (to be posted in the near future).

http://willemkruger.wordpress.com/

There is a shopping mail and a filling station as you exit Kimberley - as mentioned by the other members. If you want to go via our favourite town (Bloemfontein), you can fill up in Koffiefontein (12km detour) and Jacobsdal (1km detour).

Okie - that is why Bloem is the best kept secret in South Africa, we do not talk about it .

There is a very nice Spar in Jacobsdal.
There are various shops just before exiting Kimberley where you can shop.
We were in Mokala in April and enjoyed it very much. Enjoy you stay.
PS Melville is the suburb I grew up in in the 70's/80's