The only Big 5 game reserve of its kind, just 40 minutes outside South Africa’s capital
Dinokeng Game Reserve is just 40 minutes outside of Pretoria and is the only Big 5 game reserve in the world within the boundaries of a metropolitan municipality.
The game reserve is situated within the Greater Dinokeng Area of northern Gauteng in Tshwane and was established for eco-tourism purposes.
Development was initiated under the Gauteng Government’s Blue IQ project, and formal planning and development began in the early 2000s.
Construction of a 200km perimeter game fence commenced in 2008, and by 2011, Big Five animals had been introduced, including White Rhinos, Lions, and Elephants.
The reserve was officially established in September 2011, with four of the Big Five, and the Buffalo joined formally in late 2012.
A herd of Black rhinos was released in 2018, solidifying its status as a genuine Big Five Reserve.
Dinokeng Game Reserve is centred on conservation, driven by strategic initiatives of the Gauteng Provincial Government and the efforts of over 170 landowners.
The conceptualised eco-tourism is aimed at uplifting rural communities via sustainable employment.
The reserve generated over 800 permanent jobs for neighbouring communities.
The name Dinokeng originates from the baTswana and baPedi languages, and translates to “a place of rivers.”
The reserve is situated in the catchment area of rivers that flow into the Olifants and Limpopo rivers, which ultimately drain into the Indian Ocean.
The area also experiences variable and sporadic summer rainfall patterns, with precipitation ranging from 350mm to 750mm per season.
Temperature extremes range from 0 to 40 Celsius, with a stable average of 21 Celsius. The reserve is also malaria-free.
What’s on offer
The wider Dinokeng area outside of the Game Reserve has several options for visitors, including the Dinokeng Resort, which has its own water park and accommodation.
The reserve itself offers a range of lodgings, ranging from rustic bushveld experiences to lavish retreats.
For those interested in nature, one can undertake the self-drive route with over 140km of winding tracks. There are also guided game drives and bush walks.
Given its proximity to Pretoria and Johannesburg, the reserve also offers wedding services.
The reserve requests conservation fees for all visitors, while also offering the opportunity to purchase a limited number of tickets to observe conservation activities.
The proceeds go towards the fight against poaching and the reserve’s conservation efforts.
While big open ecosystems are self-regulating, smaller reserves like Dinokeng require constant monitoring and management intervention.
This enables the reserve to maintain healthy gene pools, balance predator and prey ratios, and avoid overutilization, as well as control alien species.
Interventions include collaring and the renewal of collars, the application of contraceptives to manage populations, and exchanging big cats to avoid inbreeding.
The reserve is also committed to combating snaring and other forms of illegal poaching.
To combat poaching, the reserve uses anti-poaching & K9 patrols, technology, community engagement and partners with law enforcement agencies.
These efforts have led to an education in snaring and other illegal poaching activities, and helped preserve the reserve’s unique biodiversity.
Dinokeng Images
Images courtesy of NAKO Safari Lodge.
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