Ant's Nest and Ant's Hill are special bush homes which are on adjoining private game reserves in the beautiful Waterburg region. This area is malaria free and just 3 hours drive north west of Johannesburg. The aim here is to give a flexible safari experience with a huge range of activities to entertain all ages. Both the lodges can be booked on an exclusive basis and perfect for families or groups of friends.
The reserves have a range of habitats from wide open plains to mountains and they support over 40 species of mammals including a range of unusual antelope such as Nyala, Sable Antelope, Eland and Oryx plus Giraffe, Buffalo and White Rhino. For keen birders this is a great area with over 300 species. Game drives take place in a 4x4 open vehicle for morning or afternoon drives and you can use a spotlight at night to find nocturnal animals such as hyena, aardvark or porcupine. If you prefer to get out on foot, this is lovely walking country and gentle bush walks informing you about flora, fauna and animals resident on the reserves are fascinating and more energetic guests can hike the plains and gorges. There is a big 5 reserve nearby where you can go and look for lion and elephant (no horse riding there!).
Horse riding is popular in this terrain and both lodges offer the chance for this great way to get close to wildlife. You can canter sandy tracks or cross high ridges with spectacular views. The pace is as fast or slow as you like. There is a stable of about 45 horses which are thoroughbreds and arab-boerperd crosses and some lovely children's ponies. Opportunities to learn to ride here are great as well as offering the exeperienced rider plenty of scope.
The area offers a huge range of things to see and do which both lodges can take you to. These include local craft and art markets and shops, a farm tour to learn abou the historical background of the area, a thatched church where you can meet the local people on Sundays and hear the Sotho children singing. There are bushman paintings, iron age villages, a cultural museum and a rhino orphanage.
Ant's Nest is hosted by Ant and Tessa Baber with a friendly team of staff. The lodge sits in a natural amphitheatre which is the original homestead with wide verandahs and a feel of classic Africa. The home has a stylish warmth using local stone, timber and fabrics. The swimming pool is heated so can be used all year round. There is a great place with huge sofa beds to relax during the day and a variety of animals visit the waterhole in front of the house.
Ant's Hill was built by Ant and Tessa and is on the edge of a cliff with amazing views across the Waterburg. Huge rooms with folding doors that open to the views make up this thatched lodge which also offers brightly furnished home style settings with four poster beds and big bathrooms. The bathrooms offer sunken baths and waterfall showers. The heated swimming pool is set in boulders of the cliff and water cascades over the edge of a gorge.
