Self-driving Dinokeng requires a R250 once-off permit plus a daily conservation fee of R80 per South African adult and R60 per child aged 2 to 11. International visitors pay R160 and R120. It is the only Big Five reserve in Gauteng.
Dinokeng Fees
| Charge | SA residents | International |
|---|---|---|
| Self-drive permit (once-off) | R250 | R250 |
| Conservation fee — adult, per day | R80 | R160 |
| Conservation fee — child 2–11, per day | R60 | R120 |
| Vehicle entry (if not self-driving the route) | R50 | R50 |
Two Charges, Not One
This catches people out. The permit and the conservation fee are separate, so a first self-drive visit for two South African adults costs R250 + R160 = R410, not R160. The permit is once-off and valid for the duration of the conservation fee.
Cheaper Than a Big Five Trip Elsewhere
At R80 per adult per day the conservation fee is lower than Tsitsikamma at R110 and far below Pilanesberg at a reported R168 — and Dinokeng is inside Gauteng, so there is no long drive.
Buying
The permit and conservation fees can be bought online in advance or at the entrance gates.
Lodges Charge Their Own Rates
Lodges inside the reserve set their own package pricing, and a guided game drive booked through a lodge is separate again from the self-drive permit.
Price Source and Last-Checked Date
These figures come from secondary sources, not an operator-published rate card. The reserve’s own visitor page does not set out a full fee table; the figures above come from operators inside the reserve who publish the conservation-fee schedule, updated December 2025.
- Dinokeng Reserve — Visit us
- Thorn Tree Bush Camp — guide to conservation fees and self-drive permits
Last checked: 6 September 2026. Confirm at the gate before travelling.