The classic and spacious safari lodges of Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill in South Africa are owner designed and built. Using local stone and thatch, they blend into the surroundings beautifully, setting the scene to give guests the most memorable bushveld views. The reserve is set in the wild and unspoiled Waterberg region in the Limpopo province of South Africa, a mere 3 hours north of Johannesburg.

Hosted by a wonderful team, Ant’s Hill safari lodge has an open and friendly atmosphere which creates a home from home feeling. Built on the edge of a cliff, it enjoys breath-taking views, with spacious rooms and vast folding doors. The separate cottages are uniquely designed, and the individual bathrooms are spectacular, offering guests sunken baths and waterfall showers. Set in boulders on the edge of the cliff, the heated swimming pool enjoys a fabulous panorama across the reserve, encouraging you to relax there in between your horse rides.

Main Lodge
The main lodge boasts a spacious living area and dining room, both with fireplaces. A large veranda and deck overhang the gorge so are ideal for early morning breakfasts and evening sundowners. To top it all Ant’s Hill overlooks a waterhole frequented by a variety of game.
Ant’s Hill has a variety of cottages ranging from standard to superior deluxe, they are scenically appointed and each cottage has been creatively designed to suit all types of travellers from families to honeymooners and their varying budgets, scroll down for more details on each cottage and take your pick.

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 passionate about birds, there are well over 300 species of 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.

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 specialty, 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.

Ant’s 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
Night sky safaris
Visit to our local children’s home

Ant’s Hill offers you maximum flexibility, there are no fixed times and they 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.

Ant’s has 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. The 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.