The Dinokeng Game reserve is located 45km north of Tshwane (Pretoria) and an hour’s drive from OR Tambo International Airport. The malaria-free game reserve occupies 19,000 hectares and is the only free-roaming Big Five game reserve in Gauteng.
The name Dinokeng translates as “place of rivers” and the reserve is named for the many rivers that flow through it on their way to joining the Limpopo and Orange rivers.
Due to the great number of rivers and wetlands, the game reserve has an abundance of birdlife and among the indigenous flora is the protected tamboti tree, also known as the Spirostachys africana. However, the reserve is most famous for the Big Five and for the cheetahs and hyenas that can also be spotted in the reserve, making it one of the hotspots of tourism in Gauteng.
Within the Dinokeng Game Reserve area are more than 30 lodges and ranches offering a good base for safaris, conferences and weddings. Each lodge is unique and offers a wide variety of accommodation in Gauteng, from camping and caravan sites to five-star luxury.
In addition to guided drives, the reserve also has a 70km self-drive route. Other activities available within the reserve include horse riding, hiking, quad biking, hot-air balloon rides and luxurious spa treatments.
Within the Dinokeng area and close to the reserve is the historical diamond-mining town of Cullinan, and the Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve. The dam’s undisturbed water makes it perfect for competitive rowing – it is often used for international rowing races and is the training location for the South African rowing team.
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.
