{"id":843192,"date":"2025-11-21T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=843192"},"modified":"2025-11-24T10:24:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T08:24:24","slug":"the-only-big-5-game-reserve-of-its-kind-just-40-minutes-outside-of-south-africas-capital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/property\/843192\/the-only-big-5-game-reserve-of-its-kind-just-40-minutes-outside-of-south-africas-capital\/","title":{"rendered":"The only Big 5 game reserve of its kind, just 40 minutes outside South Africa&#8217;s capital"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The game reserve is situated within the Greater Dinokeng Area of northern Gauteng in Tshwane and was established for eco-tourism purposes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Development was initiated under the Gauteng Government\u2019s Blue IQ project, and formal planning and development began in the early 2000s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The reserve was officially established in September 2011, with four of the Big Five, and the Buffalo joined formally in late 2012.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A herd of Black rhinos was released in 2018, solidifying its status as a genuine Big Five Reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dinokeng Game Reserve is centred on conservation, driven by strategic initiatives of the Gauteng Provincial Government and the efforts of over 170 landowners.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The conceptualised eco-tourism is aimed at uplifting rural communities via sustainable employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The reserve generated over 800 permanent jobs for neighbouring communities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The name Dinokeng originates from the baTswana and baPedi languages, and translates to \u201ca place of rivers.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The area also experiences variable and sporadic summer rainfall patterns, with precipitation ranging from 350mm to 750mm per season.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Temperature extremes range from 0 to 40 Celsius, with a stable average of 21 Celsius. The reserve is also malaria-free.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What&#8217;s on offer<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-1-e1763107526683.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-1-e1763107526683-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-843193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-1-e1763107526683-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-1-e1763107526683-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-1-e1763107526683-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-1-e1763107526683.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The reserve itself offers a range of lodgings, ranging from rustic bushveld experiences to lavish retreats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given its proximity to Pretoria and Johannesburg, the reserve also offers wedding services.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The reserve requests conservation fees for all visitors, while also offering the opportunity to purchase a limited number of tickets to observe conservation activities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The proceeds go towards the fight against poaching and the reserve\u2019s conservation efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While big open ecosystems are self-regulating, smaller reserves like Dinokeng require constant monitoring and management intervention.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This enables the reserve to maintain healthy gene pools, balance predator and prey ratios, and avoid overutilization, as well as control alien species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interventions include collaring and the renewal of collars, the application of contraceptives to manage populations, and exchanging big cats to avoid inbreeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The reserve is also committed to combating snaring and other forms of illegal poaching.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To combat poaching, the reserve uses anti-poaching &amp; K9 patrols, technology, community engagement and partners with law enforcement agencies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These efforts have led to an education in snaring and other illegal poaching activities, and helped preserve the reserve\u2019s unique biodiversity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dinokeng Images<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-4-e1763107562579.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-4-e1763107562579-1024x577.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-843195\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-4-e1763107562579-1024x577.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-4-e1763107562579-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-4-e1763107562579-768x433.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-4-e1763107562579.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-5-e1763107580458.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-5-e1763107580458-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-843196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-5-e1763107580458-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-5-e1763107580458-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-5-e1763107580458-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-5-e1763107580458.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-6-e1763107600938.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-6-e1763107600938-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-843197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-6-e1763107600938-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-6-e1763107600938-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-6-e1763107600938-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-6-e1763107600938.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-8-e1763107629276.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-8-e1763107629276-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-843198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-8-e1763107629276-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-8-e1763107629276-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-8-e1763107629276-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-8-e1763107629276.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Dinokeng-9-e1763107647101.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Dinokeng-9-e1763107647101-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-843199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Dinokeng-9-e1763107647101-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Dinokeng-9-e1763107647101-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Dinokeng-9-e1763107647101-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Dinokeng-9-e1763107647101.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-10-e1763107663668.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-10-e1763107663668-1024x577.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-843200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-10-e1763107663668-1024x577.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-10-e1763107663668-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-10-e1763107663668-768x433.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-10-e1763107663668.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-10-e1763107681774.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-10-e1763107681774-1024x577.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-843201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-10-e1763107681774-1024x577.webp 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-10-e1763107681774-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-10-e1763107681774-768x433.webp 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokeng-10-e1763107681774.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokgen-3-e1763107697120.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokgen-3-e1763107697120-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-843202\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokgen-3-e1763107697120-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokgen-3-e1763107697120-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokgen-3-e1763107697120-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dinokgen-3-e1763107697120.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Images courtesy of NAKO Safari Lodge.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dinokeng Game Reserve is just outside of Pretoria, and is the only game reserve in the world found within a metro. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":843197,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12755],"tags":[24115],"class_list":["post-843192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-property","tag-dinokeng"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/843192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/95"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=843192"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/843192\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":844344,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/843192\/revisions\/844344"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/843197"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=843192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=843192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=843192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}