Our Epic Road Trip: Cape Town to Johannesburg and Seven National Parks Along the Way

 

 

 

“Why on earth would anyone want to go to Johannesburg over the holiday period?” This was the heated question echoing through the Aitkenhead household towards the end of 2024. With so many breathtaking destinations calling our names, why choose Johannesburg of all places?

Yet there we were, staring down a 1,670 km journey to South Africa’s largest city. It was a first for us as a family, and undoubtedly one of the longest road trips we had ever attempted – the last one that came close was our epic adventure through the Richtersveld into the Kgalagadi National Park.

Maps were spread across the dining room table as we plotted how to break up this mammoth trip into manageable and memorable legs. We scanned for national parks and tucked-away reserves managed by Cape Nature. After a few tense but enthusiastic negotiations, we finalised our route – not just up north, but also weaving our way home through a different path. In total, we committed to visiting seven parks, and that’s when the real planning began in earnest.

First came the logistics: how to secure consecutive bookings at each park to ensure smooth transitions with no late-night drives or unplanned detours. Each booking was like a puzzle piece falling into place, building the picture of our route north and back home again.

We haven’t yet mentioned the true reason behind this seemingly outrageous idea. The simple fact was that flying to Johannesburg, plus hiring a car and covering all the added expenses, had become eye-wateringly expensive. The road trip seemed a perfect alternative – a chance to explore hidden corners of South Africa and stretch the holiday budget further.

The irony was that we hadn’t planned to go on holiday at all. Our real holiday was the upcoming Flock to Marion Island, scheduled for 24 January 2025, and in our minds, that was enough excitement for the month. But as life would have it, plans changed. My wife needed to get to Johannesburg to help her father, who had sold his house and was moving to Hoedspruit. Naturally, the family tagged along, expecting a simple drive with a bit of sightseeing along the way.

But as always, it turned into an adventure. With the car meticulously packed and an itinerary timed to the minute, we set off from Cape Town before sunrise, spirits high and coffee mugs full. Our first stop was the Karoo National Park, a fitting introduction to the journey ahead.

What unfolded was an unforgettable road trip across South Africa, from arid plains to lush bushveld and mountainous reserves. Each park offered its distinctive magic and story:

• Karoo National Park – where silence stretches to the horizon

• Mokala National Park – land of camelthorn trees and rare antelopes

• 

• Pilanesberg National Park – teeming with wildlife and dramatic volcanic hills

• Golden Gate Highlands National Park – sandstone cliffs glowing in sunset hues

• Mountain Zebra National Park – home to elusive cheetah and majestic mountain zebra

• Addo Elephant National Park – giants roaming the thickets and open plains

• Bontebok National Park – where fynbos meets riverine tranquillity

Join us as we relive each leg of this journey, discovering the rich diversity of our landscapes and reminding ourselves why South Africa will always remain one of the greatest road-tripping countries on earth.

Mokala National Park

“Where Endangered Species Roam”… Mokala is SANParks’ newest park. Nestled in the hills, Mokala’s landscape boasts a variety of koppieveld (hills) and extensive open plains.

Mokala National Park, proclaimed in June 2007, is South Africa’s newest national park, located 80 km southwest of Kimberley. Named after the Setswana word for Camelthorn tree (Acacia erioloba), the park features striking, twisted specimens ranging from small shrubs to towering 16m trees.

Covering 27,500ha, Mokala’s landscape blends koppieveld (hills) with open plains, creating a secluded yet expansive setting. Drainage lines from the mountains feed into the Riet River on the northern border.

The park plays a vital role in species conservation and is home to Black and White Rhino, Buffalo, Tsessebe, Roan and Sable Antelope, Giraffe, Eland, Zebra, and more. Its diverse habitats also attract numerous bird species, including the Black-chested Prinia, Pygmy Falcon, and Northern Black Korhaan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.sanparks.org/parks/mokala#:~:text=View%20detailed-,map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a newly proclaimed park, Mokala National Park will offer an exciting opportunity for birders to explore and help map the birding profile of this unexplored park.

Mokala National Park is home to a varied spectrum of birds, situated in the transition zone between the Kalahari and Karoo biomes. Birds that can be spotted are the Kalahari species, black-chested prinia and its Karoo equivalent, rufous-eared warbler, as well as the melodious lark. The rocky hillocks that characterise the park attract species such as the freckled nightjar (which is vocal at night), the short-toed rock thrush, and the cinnamon-breasted bunting.

 

As with most rest camps and human dwellings, a variety of birds utilise the artificial, artificial habitat around the accommodation, including mousebirds, martins, robin-chats, thrushes, canaries, and flycatchers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Climate:

Nestled within a semi-arid landscape, Mokala National Park experiences frequent thunderstorms. Since its proclamation in 2007, we’ve diligently recorded temperature and rainfall data at Doornlaagte. Embraced by a predominantly summer rainfall pattern, our region experiences the capricious nature of precipitation, with annual totals ranging from 233 mm to 558 mm.

The heart of our rainy season occurs from November to March, with February claiming its peak. Throughout 2007 to 2016, we recorded an average annual rainfall of 355 mm. While rains may be unpredictable, the temperatures paint a more stable picture. Winter temperatures plummet to lows of -6.61 °C in July 2011, while summers may soar to highs of 43.2 °C (seen in January 2016). Frost blankets the mornings, with the earliest frost event noted on April 27, and lingering as late as September 23.

 

 

 

 

 

Projected Future Climate:

Looking ahead, we anticipate a shift in the climate. By 2050, temperatures are projected to rise by 1.6°C to 2.8°C, resulting in an increase in the number of days with extreme heat. While rainfall patterns may experience minimal change or slight increases, the driest scenarios predict that half of our current rainfall will be reduced. As our climate evolves, the landscape may transform, more closely resembling an arid savanna. With rising CO2 levels favouring woody plants, bush encroachment poses a challenge, prompting us to explore ecologically friendly solutions.

 

Dinokeng Tree Top Cottage

Nestled amongst the Camelthorn trees is the romantic Dinokeng Tree Top Cottage—an ideal breakaway for reconnecting and experiencing unspoiled nature at its best.

 

Haak-en-Steek Camp

Haak-en-Steek Camp, with its rustic cottage tucked away in the bush, offers unspoilt views over the nearby watering hole. The cottage can accommodate up to four guests and features a gas stove and geyser, as well as an outdoor braai area with a lapa and solar-powered lights. Due to the proximity of the cottage to the camping site at Haak-en-Steek, this site is for the exclusive use of the cottage guests who may (for a big family or friends gathering) hire the camping sites as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lilydale Rest Camp

Lilydale Rest Camp offers 12 self-catering, air-conditioned units overlooking the Riet River. The swimming pool can spend warm, exhilarating summers. Breathtaking sunsets and glittering diamonds in the sky are all added by nature to make an unforgettable visit even more special.

 

Mosu Lodge

Mosu Lodge has 15 air-conditioned, fully equipped self-catering units. All units have en-suite bathrooms and an outside braai facility. Mosu Lodge boasts a cool sparkling swimming pool for the warmer months. Guided game drive activities complete an unforgettable experience. Due to the layout of the camp at Mosu Lodge, we regret that guest can’t park their vehicles next to their chalets. The parking is located in front of the reception, and baggage trollies are provided for loading and offloading guest luggage.

 

Motswedi Camp Site

The Motswedi Camping site offers a unique camping experience within our beautiful park. Each camping site boasts its own ablution and cooking facilities, as well as outside braai areas under shaded trees. All camping sites are in a semicircle around the nearby watering hole. For your safety, the property is surrounded by an electrified fence.

 

 

The malaria-free Mokala National Park, located in the Northern Cape, lies southwest of the town of Kimberley and offers the perfect outdoor stopover between Cape Town and Johannesburg.

 

 

Interesting facts about Mokala National Park

• Mokala National Park’s landscape offers a dynamic and beautiful mix of veld, koppies (hills) and open plains.
• There are no predators or large game, such as lions and elephants, making it safe enough to bring the kids along. This also means fewer tourists…
• As for accommodation, the park offers a range of options for well-heeled travellers, as well as those on a budget.
• Interested in birding? Mokala’s medley of species is extensive. It is also home to seven indigenous plants (like Camel Thorn Acacia) if you’re also interested in the local flora.
• It also boasts its fair share of gentle grazers, which include: giraffe, black rhino, wildebeest, kudu, steenbok, gemsbok (oryx), eland, and hartebeest.

 

 

 

 

 

Your Mokala National Park Experience

Tucked within a quiet corner of the Northern Cape Province, the Karoo-meets-Kalahari landscape of Mokala National Park is a sight for sore eyes.

Just imagine it: dolomite-dotted koppies, clusters of camel-thorn trees and far-reaching plains making the sky look even more expansive. The entire place is pure magic for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts who can self-drive, game view, and stargaze to their heart’s content.

As for the local wildlife, Mokala National Park boasts a diverse array of small predators and gentle grazers, with an extensive birding list and an even longer list of plant species. The night drives come highly recommended, as do the guided rock art tours and twin-track 4×4 routes.

Proclaimed in 2007, this park is not only one of South Africa’s newest, but also one that is malaria-free, making it a top choice for families. If you’re itching to get the kids out of the house, this one’s definitely for you! As for the accommodation in Mokala National Park? Expect a wide range of options to suit all styles and budgets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mokala National Park is situated approximately 80 km southwest of Kimberley, and just west of the N12 freeway, which leads into Cape Town in the Western Cape.

The driving distance from Kimberley to Mokala National Park is only 74km, and it’s worth a detour if you’re planning a road trip from Johannesburg (or Pretoria) down to Cape Town or vice versa.

As a word of advice, it’s essential to book your Mokala National Park accommodation first, so we can help you plan your route. As a reminder, sedan vehicles might not be suitable for all roads within the park, especially during the rainy season.

When you book your holiday at Mokala National Park, we’ll ensure that you are kept up to date on the accessibility of the roads and any necessary detours, as well as gate closure times to prevent any disappointment by arriving at a locked gate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The land of night drives and bush braais, Mokala National Park, offers a range of activities, along with stargazing, fly fishing, and guided bush walks.

Game Viewing

Here at Mokala National Park, it’s the smaller predators that dominate the landscape, such as black-backed jackals, bat-eared foxes, and raptors flying overhead.

Through your self-drives or pre-booked guided game drives, you’ll quickly encounter safari favourites such as giraffes, ostriches, black and white rhinos, blue and black wildebeest, buffalos, tsessebes, roan antelopes, kudus, springboks, and duikers. Here for the birds? Make a beeline for the Stofdam hide where you can spot Crimson-breasted Shrike and a plethora of kingfishers.

 

More Mokala Outdoor Activities

Along with guided San rock art excursions and tours of the Anglo-Boer War battlefields, there is plenty to keep you busy at Mokala National Park. Spend your nights gazing at the stars and your days soaking up the vistas and picnicking at Kameeldoring and Matopi (open to day visitors).

If you’re keen to throw in a line, the Riet River offers some excellent fly-fishing spots like De Krans and Kleinbek, but if you’re here to play with your 4×4, there are plenty of twin-track routes to tackle. Planning on bringing the mountain bike? Mokala National Park also features plenty of adventurous cycling tracks.

 

 

 

Mokala Interpretation Centre

Dive into Mokala National Park’s history at the Interpretation Centre, which chronicles how the park has changed over the years. There are interesting artefacts and rock engravings on display, offering insight into communities that have called this region home for many years. It also showcases Mokala’s rich biodiversity, and you’ll discover in-depth information about the multitude of animal and plant species. Be sure to secure a spot on the daily educational tours.