Abstract
Ecotourism is a major driver of tourism in rural, usually remote peripheral regions in several African countries including South Africa. The aim in this article is to examine challenges associated with planning and developing an urban ecotourism project in South Africa. The study focuses on the Dinokeng Game Reserve, which is located on the boundary of one of South Africa's major metropolitan areas and in the country's economic heartland. This ecotourism project offers a new niche product for urban tourism development. Using literature sources and information collected during 27 semi structured interviews the author analyses the key steps in the planning of this innovative urban tourism product. The study contributes to the growing body of research on South African tourism and to the broader international literature on the role of distinctive niche products in the development of urban tourism in the Global South.