Ants Lodge is a classic African colonial homestead with wide verandahs, luxurious en-suite bedrooms, a heated swimming pool, extensive lawns, and a waterhole that is frequented by an exciting variety of wildlife.
Run by Ant and Tessa Baber, the lodge is located in their own private game reserve in the Waterberg – a malaria-free mountain range region of northern South Africa.
There are no elephants or lions inside the private reserve, so all levels of rider can safely enjoy a horseback safari, getting up close to rhino, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, mongoose, wild cat and more than 250 species of birds
Named a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2001, the Waterberg region also serves as a water reservoir for this arid area; it has been inhabited over hundreds of thousand of years and is one of the most important San Rock ancient rock painting locations in South Africa.
Form Guide Colonial homestead in malaria-free private reserve.
Yearling Children ages 5 and over can ride.
Pace There is an excellent selection of well-schooled horses from thoroughbreds and Arabs to Boerperd crosses. All riding abilities can be catered for with horses for experienced riders as well as steady ponies for children. Families can choose whether children have their own guide and meet up with riders in a vehicle or ride with their parents. Even families who have booked as non-riders will be encouraged to ride at least once during their stay, as it is such a wonderful experience. There is also a 15 metre outdoor heated pool that is ideal for children to play in at Ant’s Nest and a plunge pool set in boulders on the edge of the cliff at Ant’s Hill.
Stables There are various options for accommodation at Ants Lodge. You could opt for rooms in Ant’s Nest – the renovated original ranch house. This building has a large stone verandah, high beamed thatched roof, classic furnishings and two double en suite rooms (one upstairs and one downstairs) with a twin room next door. The second option is Ant’s Hill, which sits above a spectacular gorge. Constructed in 2003, there are two chalets with private verandahs, a large en suite room above the main lodge and a cottage which consists of a double en suite room and two twin rooms ideal for a family, although it is recommended that those with very young children stay at Ant’s Nest rather than Ant’s Hill. Ant’s Hill can either be booked by one group or as single rooms. Recently opened is Worlds View cottage, which has one double and one twin en suite bedroom both with access to the outside verandah and pool area.
Feedbag You can enjoy bush breakfasts, starlit dinners around open fires or impromptu lunches beneath a shady tree. Special meal times can be arranged for children, and babysitting for children two or under is available and costs Rand 100 per morning, afternoon or evening session.
Purse Three nights at Ant’s Lodge for a family of four (children under 12 years of age), including all meals, most drinks, game drives, guided walks, riding and laundry costs Rand 32,500 from In The Saddle.
