The Ant Collection

The Ant Collection is a group of properties comprising Ant’s Hill, Ant’s Nest, World View Cottage and their bush camp plus fantastic riding.

Specialising in family safari’s, both Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill each offer very private bush homes in their own game reserves within the malaria free and dramatic Waterberg region of the Limpopo province in Northern South Africa.

The aim here is to provide guests with a unique safari experience drawn from a wide range of activities which will keep everyone entertained from the youngest to the oldest family member.

Game viewing can be enjoyed in a variety of ways : guided game walks, game drives in open 4×4 vehicles and also by horseback. With over 90 horses, game viewing can be enjoyed on horse back regardless of age or riding ability which makes for a truly unique experience.  Safari is tailored to your needs each day which allows you to make your safari as busy or relaxing as you like.

Their team of horse managers and guides are able to offer riding lessons to those in need, so don’t be put off, it’s the closest experience to the animals you can find, without being on two legs!

The collection of properties on offer are owned and run by Ant and Tessa Baber who are one of the earliest pioneers in the area, their ancestors settling back in 1886. Their love and passion for the bush is infectious and allows them to offer you a home from home experience. Their two lodges are renovated lodges from an old ranch and can be offered to you on a room by room basis or exclusively depending upon the size of your party. They both make for a wonderful destination for families, riders, honeymooners or just good friends travelling together.

ANT’S HILL
Ant’s Hill is a bush lodge, built on the edge of a cliff offering the most wonderful views across The Waterberg.  With spacious rooms and folding doors, the thatched lodge blends into the bush, while exotic furniture and brightly coloured fabrics make it both sophisticated and comfortable.

The main lodge boasts a spacious living area and dining room, both with fireplaces. A large verandah and deck overhand the gorge where breakfasts and evening sundowners are held. The lodge looks down onto a waterhole below, which attracts all forms of animals in the drier months (April – October). There is a curio shop.

The 8 roomed draped four poster beds are 7ft wide and each bathroom offers sunken baths and waterfall showers, each room set in boulders on the edge of the cliff. The heated swimming pool cascades over the edge.

At Ant’s Hill there is also a Family Cottage which is ideal for families of up to 5 people. This is your own home from home lodge with a king size bedded room and loft room under the thatch roof, which is fabulous for children. The cottage has a shared bathroom, large sitting room, with open fire and dining area which can open onto a balcony with views across the valley. Mini Bar and tea/coffee making facilities are available in the cottage.

ANT’S NEST
This is where is all began. This a rock, wood thatch colonial homestead tucked away in the thick bush which offers six luxurious en-suite bedrooms, accomodating maximum of 12 guests. In the garden there is a 15m swimming pool beyond that is their own waterhole which attracts wildlife during the day.

Ant’s Nest consists of the main house where the upper floor features a honeymoon suite with adjoining twin bedroom, a large sitting, dining and living room with verandah. Downstairs is the main house with double and twin bedrooms, a cosy library, dining room and verandah leading to the gardens.

There are two additional private bedrooms away from the main lodge each with double and single bed and verandah with comfy furniture. All rooms are well equipped with en-suite facilities.

Worlds View Cottage : this is the ultimate bush retreat, perfect for families of up to 5 persons or two couples travelling together.  2 en-suite bedrooms which feature bath with a view and outside shower, offering views to the valley below.  There is a covered verandah outside leading to a plunge pool area with sunbeds.

BUSH CAMP :
In addition to their two lodges, within the 100 000 acre Lapalala Wilderness game reserve, you will find Bush Camp. This reserve is one of the wildest and rugged in the area, bisected by canyons, rivers and savannah bush veld.  It’s an incredibly beautiful region to explore. The area is home to endangered Black Rhino and Wild Dog, White Rhino, Leopard, Buffalo and variety of plains game. The best way to explore this region is by foot from this tented camp located on the ridge offering fantastic views. The tented camp has 3 tents in which it can accommodate 6 guests each with full en-suite faciilities. Lanterns are used to light the camp which enhance the authentic bush experience.

Activities on offer are day and night game drives, fishing (seasonal) and guided walks which can be short or longer to suit the individuals concerned.  Swimming in the rapids and pools of the rivers are a great way to cool off in the summer months. You can also visit bush man paintings sites as well as archeological sites.

If you have the time, it’s nice to combine a stay in the main lodges with a couple of nights at Bush Camp.

The UENESCO accredited Biosphere Reserve of The Waterberg , is a true natural wonder of ancient mountains, bush veld with thousand year old rock art and home to a site of critical archaeological and palaeontological importance. It’s rolling savannah makes it a popular safari destination for families because of it’s malaria free status and close proximity to Johannesburg, only 2,5 hours away.

Because of it’s intercontinental divergence, the reserve enjoys a wider variety of flora and fauna than elsewhere in Africa. The sheer diversity of it’s topography enables it to sustain over 40 species of game, although here you won’t be encountering elephant or lion.