莫卡拉国家公园位于南非北开普省金伯利(Kimberley)西南约80公里处,是南非国家公园版图中相对年轻的一员。由于这里的环境非常适合濒危物种的繁育,它被不少野生动物爱好者称为稀有动物的避风港。这里没有狮子这种大型掠食者的威胁,环境非常静谧,特别适合那些想躲开克鲁格那种喧嚣人群、追求纯粹荒野体验的自驾游客。
莫卡拉国家公园的历史起源于一次著名的搬迁。它的前身是瓦尔博斯国家公园(Vaalbos National Park),由于该地区面临土地所有权索赔,南非国家公园管理局决定寻找替代地点。2006年,第一批迁徙先遣队——几头长颈鹿被送到了现在的所在地。2007年6月19日,莫卡拉正式成立并对外开放。Mokala这个名字在当地茨瓦纳语(Setswana)中意为驼刺树,这种树是南非干旱内陆地区的标志性景观,在公园内随处可见。
这里不仅是地理意义上的交汇点,也是南非两大生态系统的过渡带:典型的卡鲁(Karoo)灌木丛地貌与喀拉哈里(Kalahari)的红沙平原在这里融合。由于地形包括了乱石嶙峋的小山丘和宽广的冲积平原,这里的视野非常开阔。整个公园占地大约27500公顷,这种独特的生境使得不少只能在特定气候下生存的动物都能在这里找到栖息地。
莫卡拉最重要的存在意义之一就是物种保育。如果你在其他公园很难见到马羚(Roan Antelope)或黑马羚(Sable Antelope),那来这里绝对不会落空。这里是这两种名贵羚羊的重要繁殖区。此外,你还能近距离观察到黑犀牛和白犀牛。因为没有大型猫科动物的干扰,这里的有蹄类动物状态非常松弛。值得关注的还有著名的斑驴(Quagga)再生项目,园内有几组通过回交育种技术培育出来的这种形似斑马但后身条纹稀疏的生物,这种体验在全世界范围内都屈指可数。
虽然莫卡拉气候干燥,但它的鸟类名录已经记录了超过150个物种。夏季是观鸟的最佳时间,也就是每年的11月到次年4月,大量候鸟会迁徙至此。你可以关注那种看起来像巨大草堆的群织雀(Sociable Weaver)鸟巢,它们密密麻麻地挂在驼刺树上。除了这些小家伙,淡色咏雕和一些稀有的猛禽也经常在枯树梢上驻足。如果是为了拍照,建议早上七点半到九点之间在水坑附近守候。
从金伯利出发大约需要一个小时的车程。你可以沿着N12公路向南行驶,然后转向R357。公园有两个主要入口:位于北部的Lilydale大门和南部的Mosu大门。需要留意的是,公园内的道路虽然主要是碎石路,但普通轿车通常也能通行,只是雨季后某些路段可能会变得颠簸。目前园内可通行的自驾路段总长度约70公里,路线设计成环形,非常适合一日游或半日游自驾。
住宿方面主要有两个性格迥异的选择。Mosu Lodge拥有15个空调平房,周围环绕着山丘,环境更具私密感。Lilydale Rest Camp则坐落在里特河(Riet River)畔,视野里有更多的绿意和水景。如果你喜欢野营,Motswedi露营地提供了极其独特半圆形帐篷位,每个营位都有独立的洗浴设施。有一点千万要记住:公园内的Mosu餐厅目前已经关闭,建议你在金伯利市区的大型超市买齐食材和水。虽然后期可能会有基础的小卖部补给,但自己动手做烧烤才是最地道的玩法。
国际游客的每日保护费目前大约为272兰特,如果你计划连续游览多个南非国家公园,建议提前办理Wild Card以抵消这笔费用。南非本地居民和SADC国家的游客则可以享受一定的折扣价格。
莫卡拉国家公园完全位于非疟疾区,因此你不需要在行前服用任何抗疟药物。不过夏季雨后蚊虫确实不少,建议带上常规的驱蚊喷雾。冬季则完全不需要担心这个问题,只需注意极大的昼夜温差。
这里没有集齐传统的非洲五霸,因为缺失了狮子、豹子和象,这里的重点是犀牛、水牛以及稀有的羚羊类。这种配置非常适合家庭旅行或不想面对猛兽危险的徒步爱好者。目前园内只有偶尔出没的小型掠食者如黑背胡狼。
Annette de Wet There are many animals and many different kinds of animals. The roads are well maintained. Also, the bungalow was spotless with everything that is needed for a comfortable stay and the braai area is especially well designed!
C Smit We slept over for two nights at the Motswedi Camping site at the Mokala game reserve. At the entrance gate close to Mosu reception office we were met by two very friendly and helpful people. At the Mosu reception desk we were also treated by very friendly and helpful staff. We were really enthralled by the warm and friendly people. At Motswedi camping site, we were just as surprised by the cleanliness and the layout of the campsite and the private ablutions. It was very clean - although a bit run down, everything was spotless and in very good working order - from the fridge and two plate gas cooking plates to the shower and toilet. We have warm water the whole period of our stay - which is provide by individual solar geysers. The game viewing was outstanding. A wide variety of game species were roaming along the roads. I can really recommend this game reserve and camping site.
Juan_R Pretorius Hidden 💎. Will definitely be returning. There are no big cats in the park, but you get to find other rare antelopes
Andrea Schroeder Mokala National Park is BEAUTIFUL! Everywhere you looked there were animals, even if you weren't looking, there were animals! Me and my dad stayed at Kameeldoring Pan Tree Top Cottage and it was wonderful. Animals came right up to the water hole behind. 10/10 totally recommend Mokala!!
Ivan Putter We recently visited Mokala National Park for the first time, and I cannot believe how under-rated the park is. It is one of the most tranquil parks with such incredible serenity and beauty. We are regular Kruger Park visitors and Mokala can easily be compared to Northern Kruger’s peace and tranquillity. The diversity of wildlife, birdlife and habitats were breathtaking. We stayed at Mosu lodge (and even though the restaurant is no longer in existence) the camp was lovely with very warm and friendly staff. We will without a doubt be returning to this gem of a park.