Off-road enthusiasts to the Mokala National Park can now enjoy two brand new 4x4 routes that opened this past December. The 4.5km Mellifera and the 3km Merakeng loops have challenging sandy sections and as a result, no sedans or 2x4 vehicles) are allowed on these routes. These loops between Mosu and Lilydale will offer visitors additional routes to take in the park in addition to the existing route network. Anyone making use of these routes are required to obtain a permit from either Mosu or Lilydale reception before commencing.

We are also very excited to announce that we have a full-time field guide at Mokala, therefor visitors can look forward to a game drive with a knowledgeable guide.

I've got a Mokala (Mosu Lodge) booking early next month and, closer to the time, will be phoning the Park to get updates regarding the condition of the gravel access road between N12 and Mokala Main Gate - has anyone perhaps travelled this route in the last 3 or 4 weeks? or had recent updates?

Various posts by other Mites about this road have been noted, but for planning purposes some more info is required - is it necessary to lower the tyre pressures of the 4x4 vehicle + offroad trailer for this ±20km stretch? - what realistic speed will allow a comfortable ride? - is the rough road condition mainly due to corrugations or potholes as well?

All advice and info will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Ian

AVIATION IN ITSELF IS NOT INHERENTLY DANGEROUS, BUT TO AN EVEN GREATER DEGREE THAN THE SEA, IT IS TERRIBLY UNFORGIVING OF ANY CARELESSNESS, INCAPACITY OR NEGLECT.

Arriving from Kimberley in the morning, could it be a good idea to enter the park at Lilydale Gate and then going to Mosu Lodge (where we’ll sleep) through the park? So we could start our game drive earlier instead of driving outside the park.At the end of our stay we’ll go to Upington: which is the better road? Google maps suggests to exit another gate not far from Main Gate (does it really exist?) and drive to Plooysburg, then R357 to Douglas, then R385 to Campbell, is it OK?Thanks in advance.

Yes it is possible to enter at Liydale but you need to report at Lilydale reception to obtain your entry permit.

Mosu & Lilydale are the only two gates that can be used by guests, so I will suggest you exit from the Mosu gate if you intend to use the road mentioned in your query. The roads that are being referred to can be used but depending on the vehicle that you are driving as it mostly gravel roads.

The section ranger's response: I drove the road from Mosu to Plooysburg & towards Douglas last week it was fine as it was graded recently but the road from Douglas, to Campbell R385 tends to be in a bad state! As it is us used mostly by trucks going to Douglas.