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South Africa🇿🇦 | national parksMokala National ParkBlack rhino breeding, roan and sable, camel thorn trees, Lilydale waterhole | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Mokala
👀 For curious travelersnational park ranked #25
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Tswana for camel thorn, “mokala” is also the name of the park’s sable and roan herds’ shaded gathering spots, and the camel thorn trees along the Lilydale and Motswedi roads are where you will see them stand through the heat. The park lies southwest of Kimberley in South Africa’s Northern Cape. I still hear the dry crunch of hooves on gravel at a waterhole, a sound that beat any viewpoint. Skip the hiking hopes: walking is minimal. Self-drive game viewing is excellent, crowds are thin, and the Lilydale waterhole is where I would park.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #25 national park in South AfricaWhy visitors keep coming back

Mokala National Park suits backpackers with a rental car and a tent who want big game without Kruger’s traffic. The park is malaria-free, so you skip the pills, and its rare species include roan and sable antelope, black rhino and tsessebe. Camping at Lilydale is simple and social, and self-driving on gravel loops lets you sit at waterholes for as long as you like. No tour is needed, and nobody hurries you along.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Black rhino sightings: Mokala is a breeding reserve for this species, and rhinos can be seen on the open plains and camel thorn flats.
  2. Roan and sable antelope: Rare elsewhere, both thrive here, often near the tall thorn trees in the morning.
  3. Lilydale waterhole: A shaded spot beside the camp where giraffe, kudu and zebra arrive to drink.
  4. Motswedi Dam area: Reedy water that draws birds, wildebeest and buffalo, and offers quiet picnic stops.
  5. Giant camel thorn trees: Ancient, wide-crowned trees for which the park is named, with sociable weaver nests hanging in the branches.
  6. Gunning’s Hill and Kameeldoring viewpoints: Rocky dolerite hills with sweeping views across Kalahari-edge savanna.
  7. Tsessebe and buffalo herds: Open grasslands where you can scan for fast-moving antelope and disease-free buffalo.
Mokala … read more 👉
  1. Black rhino sightings: Mokala is a breeding reserve for this species, and rhinos can be seen on the open plains and camel thorn flats.
  2. Roan and sable antelope: Rare elsewhere, both thrive here, often near the tall thorn trees in the morning.
  3. Lilydale waterhole: A shaded spot beside the camp where giraffe, kudu and zebra arrive to drink.
  4. Motswedi Dam area: Reedy water that draws birds, wildebeest and buffalo, and offers quiet picnic stops.
  5. Giant camel thorn trees: Ancient, wide-crowned trees for which the park is named, with sociable weaver nests hanging in the branches.
  6. Gunning’s Hill and Kameeldoring viewpoints: Rocky dolerite hills with sweeping views across Kalahari-edge savanna.
  7. Tsessebe and buffalo herds: Open grasslands where you can scan for fast-moving antelope and disease-free buffalo.
Mokala National Park charges a daily conservation fee at the gate, and accommodation at Lilydale is best reserved ahead through SANParks.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Winter (May to August): Dry, clear days of 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F), but nights drop to -2 to 4°C (28 to 39°F). Animals gather at waterholes and visibility is good through thin bush. Daylight runs about 10.5 hours.
  • Summer (November to March): Hot, 30 to 38°C (86 to 100°F), with afternoon thunderstorms. Daylight stretches to about 14 hours. Lodges are quieter and rates dip.
  • Shoulder (April, September, October): Mild 20 to 30°C (68 to 86°F), and fewer people.
School holidays and long weekends fill camps, so book Mokala well ahead.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in South Africa

Stay inside Mokala National Park if you can, because the park has no day-trip crowds after the gates close. Lilydale Rest Camp has chalets and tented options at roughly US$80 to 150, while Mosu Lodge is the pricier choice with luxury rooms. Campsites at Lilydale and Mosu cost about US$20 to 30 per site, and power points are limited. Backpackers on a tighter budget should use Kimberley, about 70 km (45 miles) away. Its hostels and guesthouses start near US$20 to 35 for a dorm or basic room. Self-catering is easiest, so stock up in Kimberley before entering.
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👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Mokala National Park costs roughly US$145 to 255 per person per day if you camp and self-cater. Expect most of your budget to go on accommodation and car hire, since public transport does not reach the park.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$8 to 12Daily conservation fee for international visitors, paid at the gate in rand.
AccommodationUS$20 to 30 camping, US$80 to 150 chaletCamping is cheaper in low season, and chalets rise during school holidays.
Local transportUS$25 to 40Rental car and fuel share from Kimberley or Bloemfontein.
Food and suppliesUS$12 to 25Buy groceries in Kimberley, since the park shop is small.
ActivitiesUS$25 to 45Guided game drives, often at dawn or dusk.
Total Daily BudgetUS$145 to 255Based on a high-season chalet stay.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsPlan your hike in Mokala: routes, terrain, and sights

Mokala National Park is mainly a self-drive destination, with gravel roads connecting waterholes, dolerite hills and camel thorn flats. Walking beyond camp is limited because of rhino, buffalo and other big game, so guided options are the practical way to stretch your legs.
  • Self-drive loops: Gravel roads suit most cars, with grassland, thorn trees and low rocky hills for steady animal spotting over a few hours.
  • Guided game drives: Dawn, sunset and night drives run from the main camp and reach areas that private cars cannot, with a better chance of nocturnal species.
  • Guided bush walks: Short ranger-led
… read more 👉
Mokala National Park is mainly a self-drive destination, with gravel roads connecting waterholes, dolerite hills and camel thorn flats. Walking beyond camp is limited because of rhino, buffalo and other big game, so guided options are the practical way to stretch your legs.
  • Self-drive loops: Gravel roads suit most cars, with grassland, thorn trees and low rocky hills for steady animal spotting over a few hours.
  • Guided game drives: Dawn, sunset and night drives run from the main camp and reach areas that private cars cannot, with a better chance of nocturnal species.
  • Guided bush walks: Short ranger-led walks cover tracks, trees and insects at an easy pace on flat sandy ground.
  • Camp strolls: Lilydale has a small fenced area for easy evening walks near the waterhole.
Public transport does not reach Mokala National Park, so you need your own vehicle, usually from Kimberley on tarred road, then a short gravel stretch. Crowds are light even in school holidays. Pay the entrance fee at the gate, and carry water, snacks and fuel.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Mokala is a straightforward malaria-free park, and most visitors self-drive or join guided drives. Walking outside the camps is restricted, so you watch game from your vehicle. Stay in the car near rhino, buffalo and elephant, and keep your distance at waterholes. Summer heat is the main problem: carry at least 3 liters of water per person, use sunscreen, and plan activities for mornings. Winter nights are freezing, so bring a warm sleeping bag. Gravel roads are rough but passable in most vehicles.
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FAQTraveler FAQ

Two nights is the ideal stay for Mokala National Park. That gives you three game drives, including one at dawn, plus time at waterholes. Most backpackers combine it with a night in Kimberley, 70 km (45 miles) away, and stay a third night for guided walks.
Mokala National Park is hard to visit without a car, because no public transport reaches the gate. Kimberley is the nearest city, about a 1 hour drive, and some local operators run guided tours or transfers for roughly US$80 to 160. Inside the park, you need your own vehicle or a guided drive.
Yes, Mokala National Park charges a daily conservation fee, about US$8 to 12 per international adult, with lower rates for children and South African residents. No separate permit is needed, but you must pay at the gate and book accommodation in advance. Wild Card holders enter free.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Mokala National Park is best for self-drivers who like quiet game viewing and rare antelope over big-name crowds. Hikers will feel restricted. I would book a ranger-led drive for night wildlife, bring binoculars, and keep dawn free at the waterhole.

✈️ When did I visit South Africa?
I have visited South Africa, before and after my Zimbabwe trip in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in South Africa, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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