When a person is riding, they become “one with the horse” so animals such as rhino, giraffe and zebra will happily carry on grazing even when you get near – making for some unforgettable wildlife encounters. One of the best places to experience horseback safaris is in the Waterberg Game Reserve in Limpopo. There are no lion or elephant in the reserve which makes it ideal and very safe for riding and walking – even with small children.
Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill are two beautiful bush houses that are owned and run by Ant and Tessa Baber. The Baber family were one of the earliest pioneers in the area, settling on the farm back in 1886. Of English and Irish descent, 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 for maximise enjoyment of the panoramic views over their private game reserve.
The classic and spacious bush homes are built from local stone and thatch to blend into the bush and welcome all ages. The houses offer accommodation options to suit every need from romantic honeymoon suites with private plunge pools to family cottages that sleep up to 6. It’s a true “home from home” experience – but with a wonderful African twist – like rhinos grazing just meters from your heated swimming pool, 90 beautiful horses standing by to take you out on a wildlife adventure, dinners lit up by the stars of the Milky Way above –and a vast variety of safari activities on the “menu”!
It’s the kind of place where you arrive as a guest but leave as a friend. Knowledgeable guides tailor activities to individual guests – with no fixed times or schedules. In addition to their renowned horseback safaris, Ant’s also offers traditional 4×4 guided game drives by day and night to spot over 40 species of game including rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and antelope. Guests can also enjoy walking safaris as well as Bug and Spoor Walks for the kids, mountain biking, archery, night sky safaris, massages and fishing.
The Waterberg is an easy 3-hour drive from Johannesburg and road transfers and private charters can be arranged from any destination. For more information visit The Ant Collection
