Mokala was announced the winner in the Parks and Nature Reserves category of the 2008 Welcome Awards at an awards ceremony held at South Africa's premier tourism showcase, INDABA in Durban in May.
The park is situated approximately 80 kilometers south-southwest of Kimberley, and west of the N12 freeway to Cape Town. The Welcome Awards were founded four years ago with the express intention of improving service levels in the tourism sector. The judging process includes prearranged visits and interviews by the Welcome Awards project team, as well as mystery visits by trained individuals posing as customers.
Winners are chosen based on the value they add to customer expectations; on their commitment to excellence in serving customers; and on exceeding visitor expectations.... "and it is clear that Mokala has outdone itself in ensuring that our customer experience value for their hard earned cash - we really pride ourself with this achievement," says SANParks, general manager media, events and etakeholder relations, Reynold Thakhuli.
Mokala is the Setswana name for 'Camel Thorn', named after the trees that occur in the dry woodland and arid sandy areas of the desert regions of Southern Africa. The Camel Thorn is a great resource to both the wildlife and humans who inhabit these areas, with the gum and bark of the trees often used by the local tribes to treat coughs, colds and nosebleeds.
