Transfer and Other Options:

Here at the Waterberg lodges, you can get VERY close on horseback to the wildlife, blending in and becoming one with the bush! Since there are no natural predators on the private reserve, the game are overall less tense and not as easily startled! Tracking rhino or giraffe from horseback is by far the most exhilarating and intimate way of viewing game in their natural habitat. Enjoy canters on the open plains or taking in the stunning views from the top of the mountain. There is a selection of excellent, well-schooled horses, suitable for any and all riding levels. All rides are accompanied by two guides, with guest safety always top priority. You can ride as much or as little as you like, combining this experience with other activities if you wish. Horseback rides and other activities go out twice per day: morning and afternoon! The riding pace on our horseback safaris can vary from cantering with giraffe and wildebeest to meandering along high rocky bluffs watching the setting African sun, or quietly riding through a herd of grazing zebra or family of rhino. Each guest can do as much or as little horse riding as they wish; they pride ourselves in flexibility! For families or couples where some ride and others don’t you can enjoy separate activities, alternatively as they have two guides on each ride, novices can go out with their more competent partners without slowing the ride for others.

Maximum of 6 riders per riding group with 2 guides.

Guided bush walks:
For those who prefer walking, our guides will guide you through the bushveld on foot. These walks are informative and interactive, enabling guests to gain knowledge of the flora, fauna and animals resident on the reserves. Learning to recognize tracks is great fun. Whilst these walks can be in the form of a gentle stroll, the more energetic can hike over the plains and down impressive gorges.

Game jeep drives:
Our guides will be available to take you out in an open 4x4 Land cruiser either for a morning or afternoon game drive or using a spotlight at night to find elusive nocturnal animals, such as the rare brown hyena, aardvark and porcupine.

Massages:
Whilst not traveling around or spending your time riding you can lounge by the pool or enjoy a massage.

Weddings:
Both bush homes make for a fabulous wedding venue and we can tailor make your special day.
In the surrounding area you can also visit a reserve to look for elephant or lion, which we prefer not to ride with, visit our local charity or enjoy elephant back safaris

Game list: Due to the diverse topography and vegetation both Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill carry an incredible range of different game species. There are: rhino, sable antelope, buffalo (a breeding conservation project at Ant’s Hill producing disease free buffalo) nyala, gemsbok (Oryx), kudu, giraffe, Livingstone eland, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, zebra, impala, bushbuck, duiker, steenbok, mountain reedbuck, waterbuck, warthog, Blesbok, baboons, bush pig, klipspringer, leopard, jackal, brown hyena, caracal, civet, genet to name but a few. There are 300 recorded bird species in the area to add to the exquisite variety of all forms of wildlife that the reserves.

Riding helmets are mandatory for all rides and are available at the lodge.

Clothing should be neutral or bush colored. It is recommended that you travel prepared with a set of safari clothes, riding equipement (boots and helmet), and other essential items in your carry-on bags in case of luggage being lost in flight transit!

The lodge accepts all major currencies (USD, GBP, and Euro). Please make sure to bring new USD notes as most countries do not accept old notes (with smaller heads). Also accepted: VISA and MC credit cards, not debit cards!

Please make sure to inform the lodge staff of any dietary requirements or allergies prior to travel.

Riding helmets are mandatory on all rides - a large supply available at the lodge, but bringing your own does ensure comfort and fit!

Both lodges were uniquely designed by owner Tess Baber to blend into the natural environment around them, yet create spacious and luxurious living areas with the splash of bright African colors and fabrics, and the warmth of the local rock, timber and thatch materials. The property offers heated swimming pools to lounge in between safaris, a delicious blend of local and international gourmet cuisine, al fresco dining, and relaxing full body massages after a long day in the saddle! The concept we strive for is to create a bush home experience where one can become part of a working reserve and learn about the bush by experiencing being part of it from horseback. Wake up times, meals, activities etc are all dictated by our guests as we try to tailor make their stay. 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, doing game census on horseback etc.

Ant’s Hill lodge property is the newer addition of the two lodges, built on a cliff offering breathtaking views across the Waterberg, and consists of two privately appointed "honeymoon" cottages, one family cottage with a master bedroom and 2 twin rooms, and a special twin/single lodge room with a spectacular view over looking the gorge. The impressive and welcoming thatched lodge is exotically furnished, and is both sophisticated and comfortable. The draped four-poster beds in the rooms of the cottages and lodge are seven foot wide and each en-suite bathroom is spectacular, offering guests sunken baths and waterfall showers. Ant’s Hill caters for a maximum of 12 guests at a time and is usually booked on a non exclusive basis with multiple parties at a time; however, if you wish to book the lodge on an exclusive basis, this can be done! There is a communal dining room, a sitting area with a fireplace for evening socializing, and a charming wet bar to keep the drinks flowing if you wish!

Ant’s Nest lodge property is where it all began. Lying in a natural amphitheater of the original Baber homestead, it has beautiful wide verandahs, and a classic African atmosphere. The luxurious en-suite lodge rooms accommodate a maximum of 12 guests (6 bedrooms). Tessa, who grew up in Kenya, brought their colonial home a new stylish warmth when she redesigned the property, using classic furniture fashioned from local fabrics, timber and stone. There is a 15 meter pool in the garden, ideal for cooling off after a day of riding; it is heated all year round. Extensive lawns (which the rhino herd often comes to graze on in the morning!) and beds of indigenous plants surround the pool and home and there is a wonderful thatched chill out spot with vast sofa beds to relax on during the heat of the day. Ant’s Nest is often booked on an exclusive basis i.e. to one big group at a time, although out of high season we often book on an individual room basis too

Meals
We take great pride in our scrumptious home cooking, dining outside whenever possible under the shady trees. We often end morning game activities with a bush lunch, whilst at night we sit around open fires under the stars. Excellent South African estate wines are served. We can cater for all dietary requirements and have a vegetarian menu available. Please contact us in advance if you have special dietary needs! Some of the best food you will eat at lodges in South Africa! Simply delicious!!


The package prices are based on the 'Deluxe Room' category. 'Standard' rooms have a discount and Superior Deluxe accommodations have a surcharge.
The Cottages are for families or parties of 4-6 and have a separate rate structure -  listed as per day rates for up to 5 people (same price for less)
See the Accommodation Brochure (PDF)

Deluxe rooms:
Sable suite  (Ants Nest): consist of one double and one twin room, both en suite. Shower and bath in both rooms. Very large lounge which walks out onto a veranda. Includes mini bar and fireplace. Approx 182 sqm
Weaver suite (Ants Nest): consist of one double with sofa bed and large outside veranda. Mini bar. Approx 97 sqm
Lookout (Ants Hill): large king size bed, inside and outside showers, sunken bath, fireplace and mini bar with large outside veranda, approx 48 sqm

Superior Deluxe rooms:
Hideaway (Ants Hill): this large king size room has inside and outside showers, sunken bath, fireplace and mini bar with large outside veranda as well as a private plunge pool, approx 65sqm

Standard rooms:
Love Shack (Ants Nest): is a large bedroom with sofa bed, outside veranda and mini bar, shower and bath. approx 60 sqm
Davidson Suite (Ants Nest): inter leading en suite bedrooms with access to outside veranda, lounge, fireplace and dining area. Shower and bath. Bar area, approx 85 sqm
Eagles Nest (Ants Hill): Twin/Double bedroom situated upstairs, large veranda area with mini bar. Shower and bath, approx 47 sqm

Cottage:
Family cottage (Ants Hill - for up to 5 pax): consist of one double en suite bedroom, with shower and bath, one loft and one twin bedroom which shares a bathroom, shower and bath. Large lounge area with fireplace and mini bar. Lounge walks out onto veranda. Approx 120 sqm
Superior Cottage:
Worlds View (Ants Hill - Superior Deluxe): Superior deluxe double room and twin/triple room, 2 bathrooms, upper verandah with open air bath, lower verandah and lounge. Cottage also has private plunge pool
One upstairs king size bedroom with bath and shower, there is an open air bath on the open veranda and there is also a covered veranda, there is a downstairs lounge area which walks out onto a massive veranda with a 4x3 metre pool. The twin bedroom can also be made into a double and this also has inside as well as outside showers. If this cottage is booked and all members of the family are doing the same activity a private guide is included in the rate, approx 200sqm

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		McClellan saddles and English saddles
Horses:		Boerperd Thouroughbreds Anglo Boerperd Arab crosses
Pace:		all paces, as little or as much horseback riding as guests wish | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2 to 2 out of 5)    All riding levels
Age:		Min 6
Weight:		Max 260 lbs
Riders:		Min 2	Max 6

At both lodges there are two dedicated and hardworking teams who endeavour to give each guest a memorable African riding experience. They are all enthusiastic young people handpicked for their love of wildlife, horses and hospitality. Rides are always guided by two professional local guides who add to the experience their infinite knowledge of the game, flora, tracks, natural medicines and love of the bush.
Both lodges 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 rider would like. When you come across game you can often get so close the experience is truly 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 riding experience to ride with us). The herd of 65 horses is made up of big thoroughbreds and Arab-Boerperd crosses and includes some fabulous children’s ponies. The horses live out and graze amongst the game on a daily basis, only the the thoroughbreds being stabled at night. This has allowed the game to become habituated to the horses thus giving one a unique opportunity of really getting in and amongst the various species whilst riding. 
For the enthusiastic rider, you may wish to ride twice daily and turn your trip into a luxury riding safari, alternatively for the less eager; riding can be simply one of the many activities you can enjoy. Many guests learn to ride here. It is compulsory for all clients to wear head protection gear whilst riding. Should clients not have their own riding hats to bring with them, we do have a selection of various sizes at both lodges. The rides operate to a maximum of 6 riders and 2 guides to ensure guests safety and for a more controlled ride. Riders of different abilities will not be put on the same ride unless they are part of the same family and wish to do so. Each lodge can cater to a minimum of 2 riding groups at one time  
Riding hats are compulsory for all riders. The weight limit is 120 kg / 260 lbs. Guests will be asked to sign an indemnity on arrival. 

Tack
We use comfortable Maclellan saddles and also have English saddles available. 

Riding helmets are mandatory for all rides and are available at the lodge.

Rates include:        
All Meals – including Lunch on arrival and departure, all drinks (soft drinks, spirits, beers and house wines)   ·
Daily guided horse riding, game drives and night drives, game walks, mountain biking  · Unique flexibility  
Laundry  · Bush lunches and sun downers · Camp outs
Guest to guide ratio 4:1
Rates exclude: 
Cellar wines and Champagne, Massages – ~R 240 (one hour) ~R 140 (1/2 hour), Baby sitting, ~R100 per morning/afternoon/dinner  ·      
Gratuities ·  Shop/Curio purchases ·  
Any extra activities on and off the property not listed 

Private guide:
Guests can request a private guide (preferably booked prior to their arrival)
The cost is R1200 per day regardless of the number of guests.
This way guests can be guaranteed of a private safari.
The rate is based on one activity in the morning and one in the afternoon. 

Adult policy:
When couples are traveling on their own they will not be forced to have sun downers or dinners with guests traveling with children younger than 12 year of age. 

Passports
Passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of departure required by all nationals referred to in the chart.
Passport Note
Passport must have at least two blank pages for entry stamp. This cannot include the 'endorsement' page at the back. Passengers who also require a visa must have a passport with two blank facing pages, one for the visa and one for their entry stamp. Anyone attempting to enter South Africa without the required pages will be returned to their country of origin.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days for business and tourist purposes, except:
1. nationals of Cyprus, Hungary, Poland and Slovak Republic who may stay for up to 30 days, and nationals of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia who do require a visa, unless transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport (advance notice of overnight stay is required).
Visa Note
(a) Proof of financial means may be required. (b) Unaccompanied children under the age of 18 years must hold written consent from their parents when travelling alone. (c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses). (d) After entry, extensions of stay may be sought from the Department of Home Affairs.
Types of Visa and Cost
Visa fee: £35. UK nationals are exempt from visa fees.
Validity
Dependent on length of stay requested. Permits may be extended if done so 30 days prior to expiry of original permit.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses. Applicants in countries where South Africa is not represented may send their applications to the embassy in the nearest country.
Working Days Required
Five to 10 days.