Dinokeng Game Reserve

Dinokeng Game Reserve lies north of Hammanskraal, about 100 km north of Johannesburg in Gauteng province, South Africa, and is a malaria-free Big Five reserve on open savanna. It is closer to the city than Pilanesberg, with a drive of about 1 hour 30 minutes via the N1 or R101 north. Visitors can use a rental car, a safari tour from Sandton at roughly R2,000 to R3,500, or a private driver. Dinokeng was assembled from former farmland and is unusual in that it is a collection of properties opened to shared wildlife movement, so game roams across a large area of grass and thornveld. Wildlife includes lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, zebra and a wide range of antelope, with birdlife along the rivers and dams. Sightings are usually made on guided game drives in open vehicles operated by lodges and tour companies, and some parts of the reserve allow self-drive access, although rules vary by property. A relaxed day trip begins with an early departure to catch the morning game drive, followed by a lunch at a lodge or restaurant within the reserve, then a second drive or a rest at a waterhole in the afternoon before the drive back. Because the reserve is close to Pretoria, it can also be combined with a visit to the capital's monuments on a longer itinerary. May to September is the dry season, when vegetation is thin and animals congregate at water, which improves sightings, while summer brings green landscapes and afternoon storms. Visitors should bring binoculars, a hat, water and layers, since early morning drives in open vehicles can be cold. Because access arrangements differ between lodges, booking the activity and confirming entry conditions in advance is wise.