Dinokeng Game Reserve at the centre of job creation and ecotourism

Dinokeng Game Reserve – Gauteng's first and only free-roaming Big Five reserve – is not just about conservation. It is economic participation, land use innovation and a practical example of how tourism can be shared more broadly, helping to create jobs for residents.

Located in the north eastern reaches of Tshwane, it offers an unexpectedly immersive safari experience, one that feels worlds away from the city despite its proximity.

Vuk'uzenzele was recently among delegates who attended the Meeting Dinokeng Showcase, a two-day event hosted by the Gauteng Department of Environment, in partnership with the City of Tshwane and other stakeholders.

The showcase brought together delegates from over 40 countries, including representatives from Peru, China, Lithuania, Ghana, Japan, Malaysia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia.

The delegates were divided into two groups. One set off to explore nearby attractions such as the scenic Roodeplaat Dam and the historic Cullinan Diamond Mine. Vuk'uzenzele was with the group eager to immerse themselves in the raw beauty of the reserve and encounter, firsthand, what nature had to offer.

After driving a group of delegates through the bush, one of the only four women among the reserve's 20 nature guides, Sally Pale (30) of Kekana Gardens in Hammanskraal shared a story of how the game reserve changed her life.

"In 2023, I was one of the two individuals trained by the game reserve to become qualified tour guides. The training included an examination administered by the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa. I passed the examination and I now hold a globally recognised qualification in wildlife and ecotourism," she explained.

She immediately started working as one of the guides at the game reserve, and she loves connecting visitors to nature and seeing them leave the game drive with more knowledge and wonderful experiences.

"It was an absolute honour being part of the group that hosted the ambassadors, government officials and the media. The celebrations also reminded us who we are and provided me with another opportunity to teach international guests about South African wildlife, our diverse cultures and heritage. Dinokeng Game Reserve plays a big role in creating job opportunities for locals, especially the youth like me," she said.

Gauteng's Flagship Eco-Tourism Project

Dinokeng Game Reserve is also dubbed one of Gauteng's flagship eco-tourism projects. It was established in 2011 through a public-private partnership between the Gauteng Provincial Government and private landowners.

While the reserve is responsible for wildlife conservation and environmental management, private landowners provide a diverse range of accommodation options.

Dinokeng has made a meaningful socio-economic impact, creating more than 700 direct jobs and thousands more indirectly. It spans roughly 22 000 hectares and is home to more than 80 lodges and tented camps.

It forms part of the broader Dinokeng-Roodeplaat-Cullinan tourism hub, an initiative designed to diversify Gauteng's tourism offering beyond its traditional focus on business travel and retail experiences.

The Roodeplaat Dam offers a different kind of attraction. Situated just north of Pretoria, it has earned international recognition as a high-performance training site for canoeing and water sports. Perched at an altitude of 1 200 metres, it continues to draw elite athletes from around the world.

Further east lies the historic Cullinan Diamond Mine, a cornerstone of South Africa's mineral heritage. It is here that the legendary 3 106-carat Cullinan Diamond, still the largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered, was unearthed.

Addressing delegates at the Meeting Dinokeng Showcase, Gauteng MEC for Environment Ewan Botha said beyond tourism, the place is about positioning a working model of partnership.

"In the 2024/25 financial year, 108 314 visitors came through this reserve, generating R16 million in tourism revenue. Our vision is to double that number by 2030 so that we can create more job opportunities. We are in the process of expanding the reserve from 22 000 hectares to 40 000 hectares," said MEC Botha.

He added that in 2024 alone, Gauteng received 3.8 million international visitors generating R41.3 billion in tourism revenue for the province. Gauteng captured 42.6% of every international visitor who set foot in South Africa in the same year, and Dinokeng played a role in that. 

For more information visit: www.dinokengreserve.co.za