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 more than a conservation success story. It is a powerful example of economic inclusion, pioneering land use and a tourism model that actively creates jobs and opportunities for surrounding communities.
Located in the northeastern reaches of Tshwane, Dinokeng offers an unexpectedly immersive safari experience, one that feels worlds away from the city despite its close proximity.
This reporter was among delegates who recently 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 Peru, China, Lithuania, Ghana, Japan, Malaysia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia.
Delegates were divided into two groups: one explored nearby attractions such as the scenic Roodeplaat Dam and the historic Cullinan Diamond Mine, while the other immersed itself in the raw beauty of the reserve, experiencing firsthand what nature has to offer.
After driving a group through the bush, Sally Pale – one of only four women among the reserve’s 20 nature guides – shared how Dinokeng had transformed her life. A resident of Kekana Gardens in nearby Hammanskraal, Pale previously worked as a retail cashier.
"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 soon began working as a guide at the reserve and says she enjoys connecting visitors with nature, watching them leave each game drive with new knowledge and memorable experiences.
" Dinokeng Game Reserve plays a big role in creating job opportunities for locals, especially the youth like me," she added.
Flagship ecotourism project
Dinokeng Game Reserve is also recognised as one of Gauteng’s flagship ecotourism projects. Established in 2011, it is the result of 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 contribute by offering a diverse range of accommodation options.
The reserve has made a significant socio-economic impact, creating more than 700 direct jobs and thousands more indirectly. Spanning roughly 22 000 hectares, it is home to more than 80 lodges and tented camps.
The reserve forms part of the broader Dinokeng-Roodeplaat-Cullinan tourism hub, an initiative aimed at diversifying Gauteng’s tourism offering beyond its traditional focus on business travel and retail experiences.
Addressing delegates at the Meeting Dinokeng Showcase, Gauteng MEC for Environment Ewan Botha said the initiative goes beyond tourism, positioning Dinokeng as a practical 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," explained the MEC.
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 all international visitors who entered South Africa that year, with Dinokeng contributing to this performance.
Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, also delivered a message of support, describing the game reserve as one of the many jewels in Gauteng’s crown.
“It is imperative that we invest in this facility so that we can achieve our goal of increasing tourism revenue and job creation opportunities in the province.”
Selling SA tourism to the world
Speaking on the sidelines of the visit to the game reserve, Malaysia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Dato’ Yubazlan Haji Yusof, said this was his first outdoor event in Gauteng since arriving in the province at the end of 2025.
What stood out for him was how the public-private partnership has delivered strong results that ultimately benefit local communities. Having served in several countries over the years, he ranked South Africa among the most beautiful countries in the world, citing its diverse landscapes and wide range of tourist attractions.
The visit to Dinokeng was particularly exciting for him, as it coincided with Visit Malaysia 2026 – a campaign that showcases the best of what Malaysia has to offer to the world through a year of events and tourism experiences
Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa, Xie Yongjun, described Dinokeng as one of the country’s jewels, highlighting his memorable experience of witnessing a rhino dehorning and GPS tracking process.
He added that China and South Africa share an all-round strategic partnership, built on a unique relationship rooted in mutual trust.
“We have prospering and promising economic exchanges. South Africa is number one trade partner in Africa, and from May 2026, we are implementing zero-tariffs for all South African exports to China. 2026 is also a year of people to people exchange for South Africa and China. In 2025, although the two countries are oceans apart, I learned that 38 000 Chinese tourists found their way to South Africa, which is a steady increase compared to the previous years,” he explained.