Ant's Nest

Ant’s Nest is where it all began. Lying in a natural amphitheatre the original homestead, with its wide verandas, has a classic, relaxed, African atmosphere. A wide variety of game frequents the waterhole in front of the bush home bringing game viewing to your door step. Tessa, who grew up in Kenya, brought a stylish warmth to the colonial house using classic furniture fashioned from local fabrics, timber and stone.

Ant’s Nest not only enjoys lovely views down the valley but is also surrounded by open plains where horses, rhino and other game frequently graze in extremely close proximity, don’t be surprised to have a rhino grazing 10 meters from your pool lounger. Our team at Ant’s Nest are exceptionally hospitable and will go above and beyond to exceed your expectations to ensure your stay is a memorable and life changing experience.

The Main Lodges’ six classic 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 and this is great for kids as its 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.

Like Ant’s Hill, Ant’s Nest features different room types from standard to deluxe, rooms can be booked individually, however, should you be looking for a very private stay, Ant’s Nest can be booked exclusively, ideal for multi-generational family bookings, friends traveling together or for specialised interest groups / special occasions.

About the Reserve

Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill are situated on their own private game reserve which covers 12,500 acres of pristine Waterberg bushveld.  The reserve is made out of 12 different ecological zones from open grassy plains to thick montane bush to savannah bushveld.

Since the Waterberg lies on an intercontinental divergence zone, we have a wider variety of flora and fauna than elsewhere in Africa. The diverse topography of the reserve also enables us to naturally sustain over 40 species of game including giraffe, white rhino, sable antelope, Roan antelope, buffalo, nyala, gemsbok (Oryx), kudu, Livingstone eland, blue wildebeest (gnu), red hartebeest, zebra, impala, bushbuck, duiker, steenbok, mountain reedbuck, waterbuck, warthog, blesbok, baboons, bush pig, klipspringer, leopard, jackal, brown hyena, caracal, civet and genet to name but a few. For those of you who are passionate about birds, there are well over 300 species of resident and migrant birds. Guests are always welcome to join in on any management activities on the reserves such as game capture and relocation, treating injured animals, burning firebreaks, game census on horseback etc.

Sable antelope are today one of the most conservation dependant specie in South Africa and rarely seen in any National park. We started with a small core herd in 2001 and today have a successful, well established and viable breeding herd.

Safari Experiences
From horse riding and mountain biking to game drives and guided walks, we have a variety of activities, at Ants, that will appeal to the intimate couple to families alike.

Family Safaris
Ant’s has got to be one of the most child friendly safari lodges found in Africa,  we will give your children and family a life-changing experience from grandparents right down to babies. 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. At Ant’s – family safaris are our speciality, we have an abundance of exciting and thrilling safari activities to offer kids of all ages, allowing them to leave with an intimate knowledge of the bush.

What makes them different?
We have an exceptional variety of family friendly activities available on offer these include:

• Game drives
• Guided walks / walking safaris
• Led pony rides for beginners or under 4
• Bug and spoor walks / learn to become a ranger
• Horse riding lessons
• Fishing
• Horse riding safaris / full day rides
• Snake and reptile talks / handling
• Swimming with the horses
• Mountain biking
• Archery
• Rhino tracking
• Big 5 game drives (This activity is not on our reserve and can be booked at an additional cost. Please note it is subject to availability)
• Night sky safaris
• Visit to our local children’s home

Both lodges are small and intimate which allows us to offer you maximum flexibility, there are no fixed times and we will tailor your day according to your needs. Children are welcome to join their parents for dinner. Alternatively, special suppers or mealtimes can be arranged. As a family you can also book private dinners. Although your children can join you on all activities, however, should you, wish to leave them at the lodge and enjoy a more challenging walk or ride, we can offer full child minding.

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. Both lodges have various facilities ideal for kids, such as the heated swimming pool, which is heated all year round, a trampoline, a badminton & volleyball court as well as a selection of toys and books. Due to our relaxed and informal atmosphere, Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill are ideal for families with kids of all ages.