Mokala National Park, located roughly 80 kilometers south-west of Kimberley in the Northern Cape, is South Africa’s newest national park. Named after the Setswana word for the majestic Camel Thorn tree (Vachellia erioloba), Mokala serves as a critical sanctuary for endangered herbivore species, including black and white rhinoceros, disease-free buffalo, roan antelope, sable, and tsessebe.
Every visitor entering Mokala National Park is required to pay a daily conservation fee managed by South African National Parks (SANParks). These entry tariffs directly fund ongoing biodiversity conservation, anti-poaching security, habitat restoration, and visitor facility maintenance across the reserve.
Whether you are planning a self-drive day trip from Kimberley or staying overnight at Mosu Lodge, understanding the official fee structure, visitor categories, and payment procedures ensures a seamless arrival at the park gates. When exploring South Africa national park fees across the country, Mokala offers an accessible and value-focused bushveld escape compared to larger reserves, while remaining an essential component of overall entrance fees in South Africalistings.
Current Mokala National Park Entrance Fee Explained
The daily conservation fee at Mokala National Park is structured according to visitor nationality and age. Tariffs are calculated per person per day (or per night for overnight guests) and are updated annually by SANParks, usually taking effect on 1 November each year.
Below is the verified official tariff schedule for Mokala National Park for the current and upcoming SANParks fee cycles:
Last Verified: August 2026 against official SANParks tariff documentation.
| Visitor Category | Age Tier | 2025/2026 Daily Fee (Valid Nov 2025 – Oct 2026) | 2026/2027 Daily Fee (Valid Nov 2026 – Oct 2027) | Identification Required at Gate |
| South African Citizens & Permanent Residents | Adult (12+ years) | R63 per day | R66 per day | South African Green ID / Smart Card / SA Driving Licence |
| South African Citizens & Permanent Residents | Child (2–11 years) | R31 per day | R33 per day | Official Birth Certificate / RSA Passport |
| SADC Country Nationals | Adult (12+ years) | R128 per day | R135 per day | Official SADC Passport |
| SADC Country Nationals | Child (2–11 years) | R64 per day | R67 per day | Official SADC Passport |
| International Visitors (Standard Tariff) | Adult (12+ years) | R279 per day | R306 per day | Valid International Passport |
| International Visitors (Standard Tariff) | Child (2–11 years) | R142 per day | R156 per day | Valid International Passport |
| Infants (All Nationalities) | Under 2 years | Free | Free | None |
Note: Daily fees apply to both day visitors and overnight guests for each night spent in the park.
Understanding how entrance fees are checked and updated across national reserve networks highlights why keeping up to date with official SANParks policy updates is vital for accurate holiday budgeting.
South African Resident, SADC and International Visitor Fees
SANParks enforces a three-tiered pricing strategy across all national parks to encourage local domestic tourism while raising conservation funding from international travel markets.
Resident status
South African citizens and permanent residents qualify for the lowest conservation fee tier (R63 per adult per day for the 2025/2026 cycle). To benefit from this local rate, every adult in the vehicle must present acceptable South African identification at the entrance gate.
Acceptable proof of South African residency includes:
- Original green barcoded RSA ID book
- Smart ID card
- Valid South African driving licence
- Valid South African passport
- Official South African permanent residence permit stamp in a foreign passport
If an adult visitor cannot present valid proof of South African residency at the gate, gate officials are strictly required to charge the standard international fee.
SADC pricing
Nationals of Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states receive a intermediate rate (R128 per adult per day for the 2025/2026 season). This tier applies to citizens of member nations including Angola, Botswana, Comoros, DRC, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Visitors claiming SADC status must present a valid passport issued by an official SADC member country upon arrival at Mosu or Lilydale gate.
International visitors
All visitors who are not citizens or permanent residents of South Africa or a recognized SADC country pay the Standard Conservation Fee (R279 per adult per day for 2025/2026). This standard rate contributes significantly to sanctuary preservation, species reintroduction projects, and infrastructure development within the reserve.
Adult and Child Conservation Fees
SANParks divides conservation tariffs strictly by age category to maintain family-friendly access across the national park network.
Adult fees
Adult fees apply to all individuals aged 12 years and older on the date of entry. Adult pricing applies regardless of student status, as SANParks does not offer separate tertiary student discounts at park gates.
Child fees
Child conservation fees apply to young visitors aged 2 to 11 years inclusive. Child tariffs are set at approximately 50% of the adult rate across all residency tiers:
- SA Resident Children: R31 per day (2025/2026)
- SADC Children: R64 per day (2025/2026)
- International Children: R142 per day (2025/2026)
Infants under 2 years of age enter free of charge across all visitor categories. Families traveling with large groups or school parties can explore broader guidelines regarding visitor discounts and group rates for specialized educational permits.
Wild Card and Multi-Day Cost Notes
For frequent national park visitors, the SANParks Wild Card loyalty programme offers a cost-effective alternative to paying individual daily entry fees.
- Wild Card Exemption: Valid Wild Card members receive free daily conservation entry to Mokala National Park for 365 days from the date of purchase.
- Applicable Clusters: Mokala is included in both the SANParks Cluster (access to all 21 South African National Parks) and the comprehensive All Parks Cluster (access to 80+ parks across SANParks, CapeNature, Msinsi, and Eswatini).
- Residency Rules for Wild Card: Local Wild Card clusters (Individual, Couple, or Family) are available exclusively to South African and SADC citizens/residents. International tourists must purchase the International All Parks Cluster membership to receive Wild Card entry benefits.
- Break-Even Point: For a South African resident family, visiting Mokala or other SANParks reserves for more than 5 to 7 days within a 12-month period usually makes a Wild Card more economical than paying daily conservation fees.
If you are planning an extended Northern Cape safari, you can compare related sanparks conservation fees across nearby destinations such as Augrabies Falls National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, and Karoo National Park to determine your total entry costs.
Park-Specific Fee Notes
Mokala National Park operates under specific administrative and geographical features that set it apart from other national reserves:
- Dual Gate Entrances: Mokala has two main entry gates—Mosu Gate in the south (closest to Mosu Lodge and primary game viewing areas) and Lilydale Gate in the north (convenient for Lilydale Rest Camp and Riet River activities). Conservation fees are validated at whichever gate you enter first.
- No Additional Vehicle Surcharges: Unlike certain municipal or private game reserves in South Africa, SANParks does not charge an additional vehicle entry fee for standard private cars, SUVs, or 4x4s. Your daily conservation fee covers both passenger entry and vehicle road usage.
- Day Visitor Limits: SANParks enforces maximum daily visitor quotas during long weekends and public holidays to preserve low vehicle density on game viewing roads. Day visitors are advised to pre-book gate access online during peak holiday periods.
- Senior Citizen Discounts: South African citizens and permanent residents aged 60 and older qualify for discounted accommodation rates during SANParks off-peak periods, though daily conservation fees remain fixed unless covered by a Senior Wild Card.
Conservation Fees vs Accommodation and Activities
It is essential to distinguish between mandatory daily conservation fees and charges for accommodation, meals, or guided activities.
- What Conservation Fees Cover: Entry to the park, access to all public game-viewing loops, open bird hides, picnic sites (such as Kameeldoorn), and general reserve infrastructure maintenance.
- What Conservation Fees DO NOT Cover: Overnight accommodation, camping sites, restaurant meals, fuel, or guided activities.
Gate and activity extras
If you choose to participate in guided park activities, these fees are billed separately from your daily conservation charges:
- Guided Night Game Drives: Billed per person (approx. R250–R350 per adult).
- Guided Rock Art Excursions: Guided visits to historical San rock art sites require a certified park guide and activity permit.
- Fly Fishing Permits: Catch-and-release fly fishing along the Riet River at Lilydale Rest Camp requires a specific fishing permit issued at reception.
- Guided Bush Walks: Led by armed SANParks field rangers (advance booking required).
All activity permits must be paid at reception in addition to standard daily entry fees.
What to Check Before Booking or Arriving
To ensure a smooth entry at Mokala National Park, keep the following operational rules and practical guidelines in mind:
- Cash-Free Payment Policy: SANParks operates a strict cash-free payment system at all park gates and receptions. Payments for conservation fees, permits, and shop purchases must be made using debit or credit cards (Visa or Mastercard). Cash is not accepted at Mosu or Lilydale gates.
- Physical Proof of ID: Always carry physical ID documents or passports for every passenger in your vehicle. Digital photos or copies on mobile phones may not be accepted by gate officers verifying residency status.
- Gate Operating Hours: Gate times vary by season. Summer gate hours (October to March) are typically 06:00 to 19:00, while Winter gate hours (April to September) run from 07:00 to 18:00. Arriving after gate closure is strictly prohibited unless pre-arranged for emergency overnight stays.
- Road Conditions: Main access routes to Mosu Lodge and Lilydale Rest Camp are accessible by standard sedan vehicles. However, high-clearance vehicles are recommended for full exploration of dirt game-viewing tracks during rainy summer months.
- Regional Travel Planning: If your trip extends across regional towns and provincial attractions, consult our guide to entrance fees by province and city to map out entry requirements for municipal reserves and cultural sites in the Northern Cape.
Related SANParks and National Park Fee Pages
If you are structuring a broader wildlife itinerary across South Africa’s national park network, explore these related park fee guides:
- Augrabies Falls National Park Entrance Fee – Northern Cape waterfall and gorge conservation fees.
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Entrance Fee – Kalahari desert game reserve tariffs and cross-border notes.
- Karoo National Park Entrance Fee – Great Karoo sanctuary entry pricing near Beaufort West.
- Mountain Zebra National Park Entrance Fee – Eastern Cape endangered species reserve conservation fees.
- Namaqua National Park Entrance Fee – Wildflower season and coastal reserve pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mokala National Park entrance fee usually include?
The daily conservation fee grants full-day access to Mokala National Park’s network of self-drive game viewing roads, public bird hides, viewing decks, and designated picnic areas like Kameeldoorn. It covers general park entry and contributes to wildlife management and security. It does not include overnight accommodation, restaurant meals, fuel, or guided activities like night game drives and rock art tours.
Do South African residents pay different rates for Mokala National Park entrance fee?
Yes. South African citizens and permanent residents pay a reduced daily conservation fee (R63 per adult / R31 per child for the 2025/2026 cycle) compared to international visitors (R279 per adult). To receive the local rate, every adult visitor must present a valid South African ID document, smart ID card, or SA driving licence at the entrance gate.
Does a Wild Card affect Mokala National Park entrance fee?
Yes. Valid Wild Card holders under the SANParks Cluster or All Parks Cluster receive unlimited free entry to Mokala National Park without paying daily conservation fees. Cardholders must present their active Wild Card together with their matching original ID or passport at Mosu or Lilydale gate upon arrival.
Where should visitors confirm Mokala National Park entrance fee?
Visitors should confirm entry tariffs directly on the official South African National Parks website (sanparks.org) or through verified directories prior to departure. SANParks updates conservation tariffs annually on 1 November.