Each of these three national parks boasts 4x4 trails – some are ridiculously easy and you could master them in a normal two-wheel drive bakkie or SUV, while others require four-wheel drive and a bit more effort.
The route starts 50 km south of Kimberley in the Northern Cape, next to the Riet River in the Mokala National Park, where the 4x4 roads are relatively tame. From there, we drive to the Marakele National Park, where the roads are a bit more challenging but aren't anything to worry about. Finally, we make our way through the bushveld to the Mapungubwe National Park. Here, you'll find a few 4x4 trails where you have to know your stuff.
MOKALA NATIONAL PARK
The smell of rain…
It rained frequently during our visit to Mokala, with pools of sunlight invigorating the veld as the clouds dribbled fine droplets onto the grateful earth, releasing that earthy, woody scent called petrichor.
The area south of Kimberley seems lifeless, and the average motorist on the N12 highway spends more time tuning his car radio to OFM or Umhlobo's fickle signal between the rocky hills than looking at the veld. At the Mokala National Park, however, the veil lifts from your eyes and you see the scenery in an entirely different light.
Mokala is South Africa's youngest national park, and the name is derived from the Tswana word for a camel thorn tree. The newly built entrance gate (S29.06999 E24.49702) is located 50 km south of Kimberley.
When you sign in at reception, you'll receive a road map printed on glossy paper containing emergency numbers, GPS coordinates, and interesting snippets of information.
This morning, the trail starts at the Lilydale Rest Camp next to the Riet River in the northeast of the park. Drive through an electric gate and turn right at the sign for the Vaalbos Loop. It's a fine dirt road with only a slight
