A Friendly Thorn Tree Guide to Conservation Fees, Self-Drive Permits & Game Drives..(Updated for December 2025)

Welcome to Thorn Tree Bush Camp, where the mornings smell like bushveld magic, the evenings glow with firelight, and the wildlife wanders past as if checking who booked their favourite campsite.

Many guests ask us how the Dinokeng Game Reserve (DGR) fees work — and more importantly, where those funds go.
Here’s your easy, campfire-style explanation.

(Just a reminder: all conservation and entrance fees are paid directly to the Dinokeng Game Reserve, not to the lodge.)

Conservation Fees — The Heartbeat of a Wild Reserve

Conservation fees are the reserve’s engine room. They’re charged in all South African reserves and help keep Dinokeng’s Big Five wilderness thriving.

Your conservation fee supports:

• Wildlife protection, monitoring & veterinary care

• Anti-poaching units

• Habitat management & waterhole upkeep

• Fence-line maintenance & firebreaks

• Ecological work and environmental rehabilitation

• Community upliftment & job creation

DGR Conservation Fees (SA Residents):

• R75 per adult per night

• R50 per child per night

• Capped at R300 per person per stay

That cap is a big deal — especially for longer visits.

1. How DGR Compares to Pilanesberg (SA Adult Rates)

Pilanesberg:

±R160 per adult per day plus ±R160 per vehicle per day --- No cap

DGR:

Charged per night, Capped at R300, No daily car fee,

Only one optional SDR fee per stay if you use the self-drive routes.

Example Costs

The longer you stay, the more Dinokeng saves you — and the more the wildlife benefits.

2. Self-Drive Permits — Only If You Use the SDR

A Self-Drive Route (SDR) permit is optional. You only need it if you want to explore the reserve’s self-drive road network in your own vehicle.

These funds maintain the SDR system:

• Road grading

• Storm damage repairs

• Vegetation clearing

• Route signage & safety

(Important: some routes need high clearance, and roads may close after rain.)

Self-Drive Permit (SDR)

R250 per vehicle per stay — One fee, no matter how long you’re here.

If you’re not using the SDR, you don’t need the permit.

3. Thorn Tree’s Bonus: The R3 Private Concession — Free for Our Guests

We’re fortunate to have access to the beautiful R3 private concession area.
Thorn Tree in-house guests receive free access to these routes with a complimentary R3 permit.

4. Guided Game Drives — The Easiest Way to See More

Rather let someone else do the driving while you relax with your camera?

Our Guided guided drives, or Bush walks are led by qualified, passionate guides who know the reserve’s animals, habits, hiding spots, moods, quirks — and the occasional shortcut to a secret waterhole.

It’s the best way to learn, explore, and soak up the magic of the bush.

Ask us about our festive in-house guest specials.

5. More Than Wildlife — Dinokeng’s Restaurants, Bush Market & Picnic Spots

Dinokeng is not just a Big Five reserve — it’s a whole bushveld adventure hub.

Inside the reserve, guests can enjoy:

A Variety of Restaurants

From relaxed family-friendly spots to rustic bush cafés, there’s something for every taste — breakfast, brunch, wood-fired pizza, hearty South African meals, sundowner decks, and more.

Picnic Sites

Pack your basket, grab your camera, and enjoy a scenic stop at designated picnic areas across the reserve. Perfect for families, couples, and anyone who just wants to breathe for a moment.

The Dinokeng Bush Market

A colorful, lively market offering crafts, treats, curios, and seasonal goods — a great stop for gifts or something uniquely Dinokeng.

Activities & Extras

Depending on the season and availability, guests may also discover: Bird hides, Sundowner viewpoints, Cultural stops and community craft stalls

Everything you need for a full weekend adventure is right here inside the reserve.

Why These Fees Matter

Dinokeng is South Africa’s only free-roaming Big Five reserve next to a major city, and it operates through a public–private partnership.
Entrance and conservation fees directly support the reserve’s sustainability.

Your contributions help:

• Protect wildlife

• Maintain roads & self-drive routes

• Keep anti-poaching teams in the field

• Support community jobs

• Strengthen ecological management

• Keep this young reserve growing safely and successfully

Without these fees, Dinokeng simply couldn’t exist.

How Dinokeng Differs From Pilanesberg

• Pilanesberg is state-run with large annual budgets.

• Dinokeng is co-managed by private landowners, local communities, and conservation authorities.

• Dinokeng has an intimate, personal, owner-run feel — perfect for those who love smaller lodges, hidden picnic spots, self-drive adventures, and authentic bush experiences.

• At just 40 minutes from Pretoria, it’s one of the most accessible Big Five destinations in the country.

Every visitor becomes part of the conservation story.

Thank You for Keeping the Wild, Wild

By paying conservation fees, choosing guided drives, or exploring the SDR, you help ensure:

• Elephants keep wandering through the Bushveld

• Lions continue patrolling the valleys

• Owls keep calling from the treetops

• And future generations can still experience a real Big Five reserve close to home

We’re always here to help you plan your perfect stay at Thorn Tree Bush Camp.
If you need route advice, restaurant ideas, or game drive bookings — just ask.
We love sharing the bush almost as much as we love living in it.