We’ve already shown you so many of the animals and birds that call Mokala home that you must by now be convinced of the fact that this National Park is one of South Africa’s conservation gems. That sensational faunal diversity however would not have existed had it not been for the wide range of vegetation, habitats and landscapes that Mokala comprises, and now in this final post about our April 2018 visit it is fitting that we showcase that aspect.
Umbrella Thorn
Camel Thorn tree with sociable weaver nest
Shepherd’s Tree
Red hartebeest in the wide open spaces
Riet River overlooked by the accommodation units at Lilydale
Stofdam
Rugged hills dot the plains in Mokala
Mokala sunset
Mokala sunrise
Gemsbok on Mokala’s open plains
Mokala’s clear, unpolluted skies make for wonderful photos of the nightsky
Hardy beauty
Vleitulp
Scenery at Mokala National Park, April 2018
Springbok and eland at Mokala National Park, April 2018
Scenery at Mokala National Park, April 2018
Scenery at Mokala National Park, April 2018
Scenery at Mokala National Park, April 2018
One of our highlights from this trip was having a front row seat to one of the most awe-inspiring experiences one could hope to have in Africa: a powerful thunderstorm rolling over the parched plains, smelling the red dust rise into the air as big drops of cool rainwater smacks into the dry soil. Soul stirring stuff.
Thunderstorm rolling over Mokala
Thunderstorm rolling over Mokala
Thunderstorm rolling over Mokala
Clearing skies after the storm
Looming thunderstorm rolling over Mokala
Looming thunderstorm rolling over Mokala
And finally a few shots of our favourite place to stay while visiting Mokala: the rustic Haak-en-Steek Cottage.
Signpost for Haak-en-Steek
8 Years old: April 2018. Opening the gate at Haak-en-Steek Cottage in Mokala National Park
Haak-en-Steek Cottage, Mokala NP, April 2018
Haak-en-Steek Cottage
If you’d like to learn more about Mokala National Park, why not have a read through the detailed post we did about the Park in 2016.
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Beautiful, I do love that moon shot.
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Thanks a lot, P J B!
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Beautiful scenery, just love the sunset and moon!
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Thank you very much, Teresa!
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Die plek is voorwaar ‘n gem! Die foto’s is regtig pragtig, Dries! Hou baie van die maan foto!
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Baie dankie, Aletta! Mokala is regtig n spesiale plek, julle moét daar aan doen as jul ooit die geleentheid kry.
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Sal beslis so maak!
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It looks like a gem of a place. You weren’t kidding about the red soil!! It provides a striking contrast to the greenery around it.
I love thunderstorms and this one gave you some dramatic skies to work with 🙂
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Thank a lot, Joanne! Mokala’s such a special place and I really hope the photos does it justice.
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They certainly do!
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Thanks again, Joanne!
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Stunning scenery. I bet the moon shines extra bright as well without the city’s electrical lights dimming it.
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The full moon was so bright, Kim, that you didn’t need a torch to move around at night at all!
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Great idea to do a series on the terrain- the trees are beautiful. And that storm cloud is amazing. Terrific post, as always, de Wets!
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Only too happy to be able to share beautiful Mokala with you, Jane!
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I’m glad that you posted these photos. That beautiful scenery ties things together with the birds and animals.
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Thanks for the positive reinforcement, Montucky!
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Amazing nature photos! You show the real of Africa with the green nature where the animal thrives and have it good. No dry Savannah as the most of us think it is!
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Thanks, John! Truth is that Africa’s savannas are always somewhere on the scale between parched and flooded. Have a look at the pictures from our visit to the very same Mokala in August 2016 to see the contrast: https://dewetswild.com/2016/08/14/mokala-national-park/
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Beautiful pictures!😊 I love the acacia tree! They are really beautiful. Would like to have them here in Sweden, but the climate does not allow it.
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I am sure there are also some iconic trees that make Sweden, Sweden?
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All trees here is so common for me so I actually don’t no.
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I’m sure the trees are a big part of why you love Sweden’s natural beauty so much, John!
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Yes of course I love the nature with theirs tree, but we don´t have such an iconic tree as yours beautiful acacia tree! My favorite tree is the common birch which is in many different variants. Sweden is quite famous for ours European beech, but I have grown up with it, was many where I lived, so I, unfortunately, not appreciate it what I really should do.
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That’s very true, John. We don’t always notice the beauty in the things we are familiar with – but we’ll miss it terribly if suddenly they weren’t there anymore!
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Wow! The moon and thunderstorm shots are particularly wonderful. Beautiful place.
janet
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Thank you very much, Janet!
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