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:
Ant's Nest and Ant's Hill will give your children a
life-changing experience. Our unique policy is to allow
children of all ages to join their parents on all game
viewing activities, so you can witness their first
encounters with wildlife. We have a selection of wonderful
ponies catering to both the novice and experienced child
rider. Beginners will be led by a competent guide and riding
lessons are also available. Under 4 year old children will
be led on a pony in and around the lodge area as they are
still too young to be taken out on long outrides.
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. 