Dinokeng Game Reserve
Dinokeng – the “place of rivers” – is a 280 000ha region in northern Gauteng that is rich in natural, cultural and historical heritage sites. The region, which includes the Rust de Winter and Roodeplaat dams and towns of Cullinan, Rayton, Hammanskraal, Moloto and Refilwe, is the catchment area of the Olifants and Limpopo rivers, believed to have healing powers.
Game drive at Dinokeng Game Reserve, Gauteng. Photo courtesy Gauteng Tourism Authority
The Gauteng government has implemented a strategic economic investment initiative to boost tourism in Dinokeng. There are more than 275 tourist attractions to visit in the region, and craft shops, galleries and art studios are common. Dinokeng is also home to theatres, a winery and an open-air museum, as well as diamond outlets.
The area’s three major tourist hubs are the historic town of Cullinan, where the world’s largest diamond was discovered in 1905, the Roodeplaat Dam and the Dinokeng Big Five Game Reserve.
The game reserve, established as part of the provincial government’s investment initiative, is located about 45 minutes north-east of Johannesburg and 40 minutes from Pretoria. White rhino was introduced to the reserve in 2008 and the grassland is home to a variety of animals, including zebra, hyena, giraffe and eland, as well as numerous bird species. The reserve currently has two of the “big five”, Rhino and Leopard, and intends introducing elephant and lion soon. Buffalo will then follow.
The Dinokeng Game Reserve, which is currently at 18 500ha, is situated on land that was previously used for farming. Ongoing consultations with and cooperation between landowners is seeing the region develop into a functioning eco-tourism reserve that will benefit the local community and run as a non-profit company.
Various accommodation options are on offer in the reserve, including catered accommodation for up to 268, and an adventure camp for school groups that provides environmental education and leadership development. There are two restaurants for day visitors and activities include game drives, horse riding, hiking, quad biking, balloon rides and live music, cultural activities, township tours and shebeen (tavern) routes in neighbouring communities.
Directions
From Pretoria, take the N1 North. Take the R513 Wonderboom/Zambezi Drive/Cullinan off-ramp. At the traffic light, turn towards Cullinan. At the next traffic light, turn left onto the R573/KwaMhlanga Road. About 30km along the road, a signboard on your left will direct you to the reserve.