South Africa's newest national park is small compared with the likes of Kruger, but certainly not short of wildlife. Black and white rhinos, buffalos, giraffes, zebras and a long list of antelopes are found in the park's 20,000 hectares. I spent a couple of hours driving around one morning and spotted many animals. I even came across a buffalo lounging in the middle of the road.
With its low Big Five count, Mokala isn't worth a special trip, but its location, off the N12 freeway southwest of Kimberley, makes it a handy stopoff on a cross-country journey. The park also offers a good range of activities and lodges among its rocky hills, sandy plains and camel thorn trees.