African Safari Bookings

Ant's Nest (Waterberg Area, Limpopo Province) South Africa

Location:

Ant's Nest is Ant and Tessa Baber's unique bush home situated on a private game reserve in the Waterberg, South Africa and offers a relaxed atmosphere. Ant's Nest Lodge is the original homestead restored, with its wide verandas and a classic African atmosphere.

Ant's Nest and Ant's Hill are both very private bush homes. They are located on their own private game reserve in the magnificent, malaria-free Waterberg region of the Limpopo province in South Africa. Ther aim is to provide guests with a unique safari experience, offering a wide range of activities to keep everyone entertained, from the youngest to the oldest, the fittest to those most in need of a rest.

Accommodation:

Ant’s Nest consists of a main house where the upper floor features a stunning honeymoon suite with an adjoining twin bedroom, a large sitting, dining, living room and verandah. The downstairs of the main house also has of a double and a twin bedroom with comfortable library, dining room and verandah.

There are two additional privately appointed bedrooms away from the main house each with a double and single bed, their own large verandah and comfortable furniture. All bedrooms are en-suite and equipped with necessary amenities. There is a fascinating curio shop.

Ant’s Nest offers a real home from home experience. Guests arrive as guests and leave as friends. There are no set wake up times or strict itineraries, you can do what you want when you want. We are able to offer up to three different activities at any given time either in the morning or in the afternoon.

Facilities:

Lying in a natural amphitheatre the original homestead, with its wide verandahs, has a classic, relaxed, African atmosphere. A wide variety of game frequents the waterhole in front of the bush home where horses and dogs abound. Tessa, who grew up in Kenya, brought a stylish warmth to the colonial house using classic furniture fashioned from local fabrics, timber and stone.

The six luxurious en-suite bedrooms accommodate a maximum of twelve guests. There is a 15 meter swimming pool in the garden, ideal for those needing some exercise or for purely cooling off after an active day. This is great for kids as it’s heated all year. Extensive lawns with indigenous plants surround the pool and there is a wonderful thatched chill-out spot with vast sofa beds where you can relax during the heat of the day.

The Bush Camp:

The Ant Collection proudly introduces their Bush Camp, located in the 100 000 acre Lapalala Wilderness game reserve, in the heart of the Waterberg in Limpopo Province. This reserve is one of the wildest and rugged parts of the area and is bisected by deep canyons, created by the fast flowing Palala and Blocklands rivers.

This wilderness area provides a home for a vast variety of game, from the highly endangered black rhino and wild dog, to white rhino, leopard, buffalo and a wide variety of plains game species.

Steeped in history, it also boasts unique unspoilt bushman paintings dotted along many cliff faces as well as numerous iron age sites. The best way to explore this last remote wilderness is on foot based from the camp which is strategically located high up on a ridge with spectacular spreading views across the reserve.

The tented camp which has been recently revamped has only 3 tents so accommodates a maximum of 6 guests. With full en suite facilities and is situated on wooden deck which overhangs the bluff. For lighting, the authentic, rustic experience is not compromised as only lanterns are used at night however still providing the luxury of modern day with hot showers, tasty meals and knowledgeable and experienced guides.

Activities on offer and included would be day and night drives, fishing which is available from mid September to mid April at which time you are likely to catch yellow fish or bass. Guided walks which can be as long or short as guests would like them to be and can be combined with a drive and/or picnic lunch at the river. During summer months swimming is also very popular in the rapids and cooler pools. Visiting the bush man painting sites and archaeological sites.

A stay at the bush camp is ideally combined with some nights at either one of our bush homes, Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill as this is merely an hour away and can be done either at the beginning or the end of guests’ stay and adds a great rustic African experience to their trip. Transfers to and from the camp and the bush homes can be arranged on request.

Rates for the bush camp works on a sliding scale and we require a minimum of 2 guests for 2 nights. For each extra guest the rate changes to make it more affordable thus the ultimate getaway for a small intimate group of friends or family – please contact us for the rates . All meals, drinks and above mentioned activities are included in the rates. We do recommend good foot wear as walking can be quite challenging but contact us for a list of things to bring along.

Horse Riding:

Both Ant's Nest and Ant's Hill offer the opportunity for some of the greatest game viewing in the African bush - from horseback. You can canter along open sandy tracks or traverse high ridges with spectacular vistas. The pace can be as fast or relaxed as the riders would like. Often we can get so close to the game that the experience remains unforgettable.

We have fit, reliable and responsive horses, providing a choice for both the professional rider and the absolute beginner. (You do not need to have ridden before). The herd of over 70 horses is made up of big thoroughbreds and Arab-boerperd crosses and includes some fabulous children’s ponies. Each ride is led by two competent guides and the emphasis is on safety at all times. The enthusiastic rider may wish to ride twice daily and turn their stay into a luxury riding safari. Families or couples, where some ride and others don’t, can enjoy separate activities. As we always have two guides on each ride novices can go out with their more competent partners without slowing the ride. Basic lessons for non-riders are available at both reserves; many guests learn to ride and gain confidence here.

Children on Safari:

We have created specialised kids "bug" and "spoor" walks, although driving in an open 4X4 on game drives is always popular.

Both lodges have various facilities ideal for kids, such as the heated swimming pool, a trampoline, sand pits, a badminton & volley ball net with a selection of toys and books. Children are welcome to join their parents for dinner. Alternatively, special suppers or meal times can be arranged. Due to our relaxed and informal atmosphere, Ant's Nest and Ant's Hill are ideal for families with kids of all ages. While the activities keep all well entertained you will learn a great deal about wildlife, gaining inspiration to last a lifetime.

Guided Walks:

For those who prefer walking, our guides will lead you through the bushveld on foot. These walks are informative and interactive, enabling you to gain knowledge of African flora and fauna.

One can often miss the smaller details of our beautiful environment when on a vehicle or horseback, so guided walks are highly recommended. Whilst these can be in the form of a gentle stroll, the more energetic can hike over the plains and up impressive gorges.

Whilst identifying insects and birds and learning about the medicinal uses of various plants you can also learn how to track game. Specialised bug hunts are available for children at both bush homes

Game Drives:

Our guides will be available to take you out in an open 4x4 Land Cruiser either for morning or afternoon game drives or using a spotlight at night to find elusive nocturnal animals, such as the rare brown hyena, aardvark bushbaby and porcupine.

The advantage of a game drive is that you are able to cover more ground across the reserve. Game drives and walks can often be combined to make game viewing and photography more exciting.

  Accommodation Rates:- From $350 per person per night. Please contact us for a quote and suggested itinerary.