SOUTH Africa’s 22nd national park, the Mokala National Park, was officially launched by SANParks yesterday. It is located 80km south of Kimberley in the Northern Cape.
Revealing the name to the public for the first time, minister of environmental affairs and tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, said the park would play a large role in government’s plans to attract 10m tourists by 2010. He said national parks were one of South Africa’s main draw cards for overseas tourists.
Van Schalkwyk also revealed that government has plans in place to expand all of South Africa’s national parks, including long-term plans to eventually expand Mokala, which is currently just under 20 000ha, to 100 000ha.
Mokala National Park has replaced the Vaalbos National Park and features a number of endangered species including the black rhino and tsebe. Accommodation at the park is available at two lodges, Mosu and Mofele lodges, which can host 30 guests each as well as the smaller Haak en Steek camp, which comprises a self-catering cottage and camping sites. Activities to be launched in the park in the near future include mountain biking, stargazing and bush braais.
