As I explored Google Earth in preparation for a trip to D'Nyala Nature Reserve I stumpled across the Mokolo Dam and wondered what it's birding potential would be. Well in July 2011 on the way back from D'Nyala we stumbled across the entrance road and decided to drive the 15 kilometers of dirt road to the spot to check it out. Here are the GPS co-ordinates for the turn off on the R510 from Ellisras to Thabazimbi: 23°57'35.36"S and 27°37'08.13"E.

We arrived at the entrance of the reserve and did not see any signs of payment required and drove down to the dam, took a few scenery pics and stopped to drink some good coffee.

The bird life around the dam was rather typical with not too much water birds around. I suspect that spending time in the area could be rewarding, but it is certainly not a spot that would warrant a day trip from Johannesburg or Pretoria. Maybe a visit combined with a trip to Marakele or D'Nyala would be valuable. In the brief time we spent in the reserve we saw Crested Barbet, African Fish-Eagle, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Southern Grey-headed Sparrow, Egyptian Goose, White-fronted Bee-eater and Magpie Shrike. Here are a few pics that I took: