Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill are both very private bush homes. They are both located on their own game reserves in the magnificent, malaria-free Waterberg region of the Limpopo province in South Africa. Our aim is to provide our 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.

You can enjoy fabulous game viewing in a variety of ways:

• Guided game walks, from a gentle stroll down the plains to a more strenuous hike over rugged hills, which enable you to gain a detailed knowledge of African fauna and flora.

• Game drives in open 4 wheel drive Land-cruisers, which allow you to cover more ground and experience wildlife in a traditional but less energetic way.

• We have 60 horses so can offer some of the most exciting game viewing on horseback in Africa, whatever your age or riding ability.

We are very flexible. Your guide will tailor-make each day specifically to suit you and your family – so wake up when you want and enjoy a time of pure relaxation or action packed excitement.

Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill are owned and run by Ant and Tessa Baber. The Baber family were one of the earliest pioneers in the area, settling here in 1886. Of English and Irish decent they carry with them a love for Africa’s wide open spaces, adventure and a passion for its wildlife. In the mid 1990’s Ant and Tessa renovated an old ranch house, which became Ant’s Nest and, in 2003, built Ant’s Hill above a spectacular gorge, designing each room to make the most of the magnificent view. Passionate conservationists they started to develop the two private game reserves, allowing them to become the paradise they are today.

Specialising in a home from home experience, both lodges can either be booked exclusively, to one group at a time, or you can book just one room, making it a wonderful destination for families, riders, honeymooners or just good friends travelling together.

Ant’s Hill is hosted by a wonderful team who create an open and friendly atmosphere. Built on the edge of a cliff, this bush home offers breathtaking views across the Waterberg. With spacious rooms and vast folding doors, the thatched lodge blends into the bush, while exotic furniture and brightly coloured African fabrics make it both sophisticated and comfortable. The draped four-poster beds are seven foot wide and each bathroom is spectacular, offering guests sunken baths and waterfall showers. Set in boulders on the edge of the cliff, the heated swimming pool cascades over the lip of the gorge, inducing you to relax there for hours. Ant’s Hill caters for a maximum of 12 guests and can be booked non-exclusively or exclusively to one party.

The rooms consist of two privately appointed honeymoon cottages, one family cottage with a master bedroom and 2 twin rooms and, lastly, a twin room situated above the main lodge with a private verandah overlooking the spectacular gorge.

The main lodge boasts a vast living area and dining room, both with fireplaces. A spacious verandah 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 frequently visited by a variety of game.
An equipped gym is available for those wanting some serious exercise and there is a curio shop for those in need of retail therapy.


Our team of horse managers, assistants and guides are able to offer riding lessons for those in need.

Our chefs and housekeepers are the stars who make sure that all your every need is taken care of.

Ant’s Nest is where it all began. 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.

Ant’s Nest is predominantly booked on an exclusive basis i.e. to one group of guests at a time, although during the following dates it is booked out to different couples: 9 January – 20 March, 19 April – 7 July, 6 September – 10 December.

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 well stocked curio shop offering both local and other African goods.

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.

Ant and Tessa live near-by with their Labradors. Ant has the good fortune of having his office in the bush, running and managing the reserves, although he still finds time for guiding. Tess is responsible for the business side of things but much enjoys spending time with visitors.

Our managers and guides have all worked with horses most of their lives. They are closely assisted by a our team and all work together to ensure that your stay with us is a memorable one.

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 60 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.

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.

We have created specialised kids “bug” and “spoor” walks, although driving in an open 4 X 4 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.

From South African Rand (ZAR) 2'800 per person per night sharing (fully inclusive)

info@thesafaricompany.net

reservation@thesafaricompany.net

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