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What
is the Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve?
The
Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve (DB5) is situated in the north-west quadrant
of the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The greater Dinokeng area covers
approximately 281 000 ha of rural land, incorporating Roodeplaat, Cullinan,
Rayton and open bushveld north of the Moloto Road (R573).
Dinokeng
is a Blue IQ initiative established by the Gauteng Provincial Government,
with the objective of establishing a premier tourism destination close to
urban Gauteng. The project aims to promote economic growth, job creation
and social upliftment through conserving and developing the historical,
natural and cultural heritage of the area. As a specific destination the
Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve has been established.
The
land was historically used for farming but has over the last decade been
slowly converted into land uses more suited to eco-tourism. With
cooperation of the people in the area, local communities and government
the area had been developed into a functioning Big 5 Game Reserve.
DB5
has been financially supported and developed by the Blue IQ Projects but
is managed by the Land Owners Association, through a section 21 Company
– ManCo. The DB5 is based on a unique concept whereby the entire reserve
is made up of individually owned lands. The initial start-up phase,
approximately 12 000 ha, is owned by a total of 88 land owners.
The
DB5 is therefore not exclusively a tourism destination or protected area,
but rather a social and economic core that will benefit the region. The
project will have huge benefits to the local communities and will
contribute towards the overall improvement of the quality of life of
largely disadvantaged rural communities and individuals.
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