Welcome to our world
The Dabchick Wildlife Reserve (DWR)
The Dabchick Wildlife Reserve (DWR) is situated in the Waterberg region of the Limpopo province. The reserve is roughly two-and-a-half hours’ drive from O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
DWR is over 1 000 hectares in size, which allows us to be involved in various conservation projects, as well as cater for visitors who want to experience the African wilderness and all its inhabitants, big and small. We offer the choice of luxury accommodation or a more rustic experience, according to your tastes.
Activities
Dabchick Wildlife Reserve
Dabchick Wildlife Reserve offers different activities and accommodation, according to your needs – experience the bush in the comfort a luxury tented camp, or attend specially designed courses in a rustic tented bush camp.
Accommodation
Luxury Tented Camp
The Luxury tented camp which currently accommodates 12 people is situated on a plain with views of the mountain/and or bush. The camp is unfenced so you can safely experience nature up close and personal. All our themed tents have electricity, lights, hot water and flush toilets but individual tents have different features. Please note that the tents and lapa are non-smoking areas.
Luxury Tented Camp
These spacious themed tents with Zebra and Giraffe themes respectively have 2 x ¾ beds, a bath and shower.
Exquisite Cuisine
The luxury tented camp offers full catering in a thatched Lapa, which also has a lounge with a fireplace and a bar.
Honeymoon tent
This spacious flagship tent whose theme celebrates our iconic bird.
Why we do what we do
The mission to conserve wildlife, protect biodiversity and make Africa a safer place for animals and ecosystems.
🍽️ 𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐏𝐄 𝟎𝟎𝟒
𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝘼𝙁𝘼𝙍𝙄 𝘾𝙃𝙀𝙁! 👩🏻🍳🧑🏻🍳
𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙠. 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩. 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚.
Dabchick Wildlife Reserve
Tarryn Anne Posthumus
𝐃𝐚𝐛𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬
A fire to gather around. A menu to get you talking. A weekend to make your own. 🌿🔥
This October, Chef Tarryn Posthumus brings an adventurous starter, slow-cooked comfort and a fruit-filled finale to the Safari Chef table. From bushveld sushi to tender lamb shanks, her menu combines familiar South African ingredients with fresh ideas for cooking and sharing.
As spring unfolds in the Waterberg, make time for good food, wildlife and the people you enjoy most. Every Culinary Safari Weekend can be tailored to your group’s tastes and food preferences.
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🍽️ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐮 – 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞 𝟎𝟎𝟒
𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫
𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢
Seared blesbok and cucumber maki, accompanied by blesbok ceviche with cracked black pepper and peppadew.
A bushveld interpretation of sushi, bringing together venison, crisp cucumber, seasoned rice and the bright flavours of ginger and citrus.
𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞
𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰-𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐛 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬
Cooked on the bone until tender, then deboned and served on savoury samp with roasted vegetables and butterbean-and-chilli hummus.
Rosemary, thyme, red wine and lager bring depth to a generous main course made for an unhurried meal around the table.
𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐭
𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬
Chocolate brownie bases filled with blueberry-and-apple curd, served with homemade strawberry ice cream.
Rich chocolate, tangy fruit and creamy strawberry ice cream make a colourful finish to October’s menu.
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🔥 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐮
𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰-𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐛 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬
This month, the centrepiece begins with glowing coals and a little patience.
Chef Tarryn browns the lamb shanks in a heavy roasting pan before adding onions, carrots, garlic, red wine, lager and fresh herbs. Tightly covered, the shanks cook slowly over gentle, indirect heat for approximately 2½–3 hours, until the meat is tender enough to release from the bone.
Beneath the lamb, samp is enriched with sautéed red onion, garlic, cream and Parmesan, with spring onion stirred through at the end. Roasted vegetables add colour and texture, while smooth butterbean hummus brings lemon, tahini and a touch of green chilli to the plate.
It is a lesson in giving simple ingredients the time and attention they deserve – and a dish to bring home to your own family table.
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👩🏻🍳 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐧’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬
✔ Brown the shanks well before slow cooking to develop colour and flavour.
✔ Keep the cooking liquid roughly halfway up the meat, rather than fully submerging it.
✔ Cover the roasting pan tightly to retain moisture, and check the liquid level occasionally.
✔ Cook over low, steady coals with indirect heat. Aim for a gentle simmer, away from flames.
✔ Soak samp for at least eight hours or overnight before cooking until tender.
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@top fans
🌿 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝
Bring your curiosity, your appetite and your favourite cooking companions.
With up to six cooking guests per bespoke weekend, you can learn alongside Chef Tarryn, try new techniques and enjoy the satisfaction of sharing a meal you have helped create.
Menus can be customised around your group’s food preferences. Tell us what you love to cook, what you would like to learn and any dietary requirements when enquiring.
Partners and friends can enjoy guided game drives, birding, conservation activities and the tranquillity of the Waterberg before everyone gathers around the table.
𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭.
REWILDING Southern Africa • Rewilding Africa • Global Rewilding Alliance • Waterberg Biosphere Reserve • Waterberg Tourism
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🔥 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐈 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐅 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒
Tarryn Anne Posthumus
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬?
Gather your group and send us your preferred dates, number of cooking guests and food preferences. Let’s plan your Culinary Safari Weekend at Dabchick Wildlife Reserve.
📩 For enquiries and bespoke bookings:
📧 reservations@dabchick.co.za
📧 peter.oberem@dabchick.co.za
📱 WhatsApp: +27 (0)82 821 6577
🌐 www.dabchick.co.za
#SafariChef #CulinarySafari #DabchickWildlifeReserve
#CookConnectConserve #Waterberg
#SouthAfricanFlavours #BushDining
#CulinaryExperience #WildlifeConservation #Rewilding
𝘿𝘼𝘽𝘾𝙃𝙄𝘾𝙆 𝙒𝙄𝙇𝘿 𝘽𝙄𝙍𝘿𝙎
𝐃𝐖𝐑 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡!
𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
𝐑𝐞𝐝-𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝙊𝙣𝙮𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙪𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙤)
𝐈𝐔𝐂𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐒:
Least Concern
🔍 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
At first glance, the Red-winged Starling appears almost entirely dark, but in flight it reveals the rich chestnut-red flight feathers that give the species its name. Males have glossy, iridescent black plumage, while females are readily distinguished by their ash-grey head and upper breast.
These medium-sized, strong-flying starlings are often encountered in pairs or flocks and are unmistakable when their brilliant red-brown wing panels catch the light.
💡 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖?
🪶 Red-winged Starlings are naturally birds of rocky cliffs, outcrops and gorges – but have adapted remarkably well to buildings, where ledges and roof structures can resemble their traditional nesting sites.
🪶 They are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, eating fruit, berries, seeds, nectar and a variety of invertebrates.
🪶 Flowering aloes provide an important seasonal food source, with the birds feeding on their nectar.
🪶 Resident pairs can maintain long-term pair bonds and become strongly territorial around their nesting sites.
🪶 Their range extends through eastern and Southern Africa, from Ethiopia southwards to South Africa.
🏞 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 & 𝐇𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓
Red-winged Starlings occur widely across eastern and Southern Africa. In southern Africa they are widespread through Zimbabwe, parts of Botswana and much of eastern and southern South Africa.
Their natural habitat includes rocky hillsides, cliffs, gorges and mountainous country, but their ability to use buildings as artificial ‘cliffs’ has enabled them to live successfully alongside people.
🐣 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐄𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐑
Breeding in southern Africa takes place mainly during spring and summer. Both adults help construct a substantial nest of sticks, grass and rootlets, often bound with mud and lined with softer material.
Natural rock ledges are traditional nesting sites, but buildings, beams and other structures are readily used. The female undertakes most of the incubation, while both parents feed the growing chicks.
And once a pair has chosen its nesting place, visitors beware! Red-winged Starlings can vigorously defend the immediate area around their nest – as the Oberems know particularly well at Dabchick.
🌍 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄
The Red-winged Starling is currently classified as Least Concern. Its adaptability and broad diet have helped the species make use of both natural and human-modified landscapes.
As a fruit-eating bird, it also contributes to ecological processes through the movement and dispersal of seeds across the landscape.
🏡 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐓-𝐃𝐎𝐎𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐀𝐁𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐊
“These very protective birds return to build their nest above our front door each year – and take their parental duties extremely seriously! Anyone coming in or going out may suddenly find themselves being dive-bombed. It can be quite alarming when you’re unaware of the nest and caught completely by surprise.”
– Drs Peter & Pamela Oberem
Dabchick Wildlife Reserve
@followers
📸 So, when visiting Dabchick, remember to look up! A pair of Red-winged Starlings may be keeping an equally watchful eye on you.
Rewilding Africa Waterberg Biosphere Reserve
Waterberg Tourism REWILDING Southern Africa
🦆 Dabchick Wildlife Reserve offers outstanding birdwatching and photography. Book your stay now!
📩 Reservations: admin@dabchick.co.za
🌐 More info: www.dabchick.co.za
📍 As custodians of biodiversity, we are committed to preserving habitat, raising awareness, and supporting collaborative conservation action.
🎼 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 & 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬
eBird – Red-winged Starling
ebird.org/species/rewsta1
#ConserveWildlife #ProtectBiodiversity #Africa #DabchickWildlifeReserve #DabchickWildBirds #RedWingedStarling #OnychognathusMorio #ProtectWhatMatters #RewildingSouthernAfrica #BirdsOfSouthernAfrica #Waterberg #WaterbergBiosphere #BirdWatching #CitizenScienceMatters #ConservationInAction
Dabchick - The Dabchick Wildlife Reserve (DWR) in the African wilderness
www.dabchick.co.za
The Dabchick Wildlife Reserve (DWR) is situated in the Waterberg region of the Limpopo province. The reserve is roughly two-and-a-half hours’ drive from O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannes...
🎥 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐬
Dabchick Wildlife Reserve
Technology is changing the way wildlife is monitored and protected across Southern Africa.
This thermal-imaging footage shows rhinos detected at night – demonstrating how surveillance technology can strengthen early warning, situational awareness and wildlife-security operations across conservation landscapes.
But technology is only part of the solution.
Its real value comes when skilled people, trusted partnerships and effective response systems work together.
📖 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄!
Discover more articles, case studies and insights into the technologies shaping conservation across the region in 𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀.
🔗 www.zinio.com/publications/rewilding-southern-africa/issues/41609
#rewildingsouthernafrica #rhinoconservation #wildlifetechnology #ThermalImaging #wildlifesecurity #antipoaching #conservationtechnology #rhinoprotection #rewilding #conservationafrica
