HAVING to drive 1h-30m dodging traffic on the busy N1 is no child’s play, especially in the morning.
The urgency of reaching our destination at Dinokeng, in Hammanskraal, outside Pretoria, was to honour an invitation by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, who run Dinokeng Projects, to experience what is termed “Africa in One Day”.
Kwalata Lodge and other neighbouring game reserves played host to media, tour operators and tourism stakeholders during the 2024 Meetings Dinokeng Showcase.
The two-day affair showed what Dinokeng (rivers) has to offer from diverse tourism products, to vibrant culture and tapestry through its “Africa in One Day” experience.
The expansive Dinokeng boast Big Fives (only reserve in Gauteng), although in our case during game drive on our first day, did not yield much, suffice to say the usual suspects Springboks, Giraffes were the on sight. None of other Big Fives were seen, unfortunately, except a Rhino darting.
If excitement is an underrated word, then experiencing the darting of a Rhino, with a chopper hovering above us, was way too exceptional.
It was my very first encounter, so it was for my colleague and senior photo-lensman Jacob Mawela, who was on hand to capture every moment, to such an extend ordering yours truly, how and where to position myself, during the sedation process.
The inserting of a tracker inside its horn is to curb the burgeoning Rhino poaching, alluded David Boshoff, Park Manager at Dinokeng Game Reserve, who said it was rife all over the country, without giving out the number of Rhino’s they have in the reserve for security reasons.
Boshoff was assisted by a team led by a veterinarian, a young, curious on-looking boy and heavily armed guards.
Knowledgeable CEO at Kwalata Lodge, Charl Pistorius, referred to locals as ‘Maredi’ says going forward they plan to expand hectares of the reserve as population of animals grows.
“This means our eco-system is improving and the expansion programme is our target in years’ to come,” quipped Maredi, who also gave an exclusive on the formation of Kwalata Lodge.
Conversant in SeTswana, ‘Maredi’ also indicated they would also improve the ratio of black owned lodges in Dinokeng from 12 to a justifiable number, as part of the Tourism Transformation Charter.
After experiencing “Africa in One Day” and the stars shining brightly in the evening, it was time to unwind and mingle with all and sundry, including tour operators, as we quench our thirst, thanks to dusty throats, at a Boma fire, as birds whistled and the roar of a Lion could be felt kilometres away.
In his opinion, the well-informed Matthew Sathekge, CEO COHWHS & Dinokeng, opined that during the expansion stage, they will stretch to the South and North of Dinokeng, and by so doing, will probably use it as a gate-way to the famous Kruger National Park.
“This will result in creation of more jobs, sustainability of the Dinokeng project and development of our communities and, most importantly the partnership with the private sector will be key in driving our message,” uttered jubilant Sathekge, during a morning drive as we experienced the darting of a Rhino.
For the uninitiated, Dinokeng area encompasses Cullinan (known for its Diamond Mine, where the world’s largest gem-quality rough diamond was found), Roodeplaat (where the Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve is located, the reserve offers bird-watching, game-viewing, and a range of watersports.
Roodeplaat was also the proud host of the 2023 World Rowing Masters Regatta- the first to be hosted in Africa.
It straddles along Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga provinces.
All images Jacob MAWELA (David Boshoff, Park Manager at Dinokeng Game Reserve, seen overseeing the process of implanting a tracker onto a Rhino by a veterinarian).
