The area forms part of the Savanna Biome. The biome is characterized by a dominant grass layer, with a woody layer restricted through rainfall and fire management.

The dominating savanna types within the Dinokeng area is Clay thorn Bushveld (Acocks 12 & 13) and Mixed Bushveld (Acocks 18 & 19). 

(see a Silly Fact ...)

  Geology

The soils are characterized by black or red verticlays, derived from basalt, as well as coarse, sandy and shallow soils overlying granite, quartzite, sandstone or shale (Dinokeng Integrated Tourism Development Framework Vol B. ,2001).  

  Climate

The area experiences summer rainfall patterns which can be variable and erratic. Rainfall varies from 350 to 750 mm per year. Temperature vary between 8°C to 40° C with an average of 21°C.  

  Mixed Bushveld

The vegetation varies from a dense, short bushveld to a rather open tree savanna. The woody layer is characterized by Red bush willow (Combretum apiculatum). Other trees include, Common Hook-thorn (A. caffra), Sicklebush (D. cinerea), Live Long (Lannea discolor) and various Grewia species. 

The relatively sweet herbaceous layer is dominated by grasses such as, Fingergrass (Digitaria eriantha), Kalahari Sand Quick (Schmidtia pappophoroides), Wool Grass (Anthephora pubescens) and various Aristida and Erogrostis species. On the deeper and sandier soils, Silver Clusterleaf (Terminalia sericea) becomes dominant, with Broom Grass (Erogrostis pallens) and Purple Spike Catstail (Perotis patens) characteristic.  

  Vegetation

A detailed ecological Management Survey is recommended and should be undertaken by a specialist in this field of expertise. In the interim, current ecological plans, such as those of Kwalata Game Ranch, Pride of Africa etc, can be used. The following is a broad indication of the ecology of the overall area in which the Dinokeng Game Reserve falls.

  Clay Thorn Bushveld

Dominated by various Acacia species: Umbrella Thorn (Acacia tortilis), Scented Thorn (A. nilotica), Sweet Thorn (A. karroo; A. tenuispina; A. gerrardii; A. nigrescens and A. robusta). Other species in the area include Buffalo Thorn (Ziziphus mucronata), Sicklebush (Dichrostachys cinerea) and Wild Raisin (Grewia flava).  

Dominant grass species, in dense swards, are Turf Grass (Ischaemum afrum), Deck Grass (Sehima galpinii), Canary Millet (Setaria incrassata) and Panicum coloratum. Over grazing and deterioration of the grass sward results in an increase in the woody component, with an associated dominance of Pinhole Grass (Bothriochloa insculpta), Three-awn Rolling Grass (Aristida bipartia) and Sweet Signal Grass (Brachiaria eruciformis).  

Silly Fact:

The Big 5 are (as you should know) are: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhino.

But wait, there's more... there's also a Small Five that few people know about. These are: Lion Ant, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, Buffalo Weaver and the Rhino Beetle.