Ant’s Hill

a focus on horse-riding safari

Ant’s Hill is located in the private Ant Reserve in the Waterberg Mountains area to the north of South Africa.

The property is owned by Ant and Tessa Baber, whose ascendants first settled in this area in 1886. So the family has been responsible for both claiming this area from nature and now returning it to its natural state.

At 50 square kilometres, the Ant Conservancy is relatively small by safari standards, but there is something a little different going on here which means that the land is more than adequate. Unlike the four main reserves in the Waterberg Mountains, the area does not contain larger wildlife, so no elephants, lions or cheetahs, but there’s plenty of other wildlife around. This means that guests are free to move around the area uninhibited, you can literally go for a walk on your own if you want, in great contrast to staying in a more conventional safari area. It also opens up the opportunities for a whole range of less conventional outdoors activities.

The lodge is centred on a large main building under thatch, with lovely lounge and dining areas leading out to terraces and swimming pool, with broad views over the surrounding hills.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Ant’s Hill is in five gorgeous and quirky cottages …

Hideaway is a “superior deluxe cottage”, a secluded little place, ideal for honeymooners, but with additional space for two children, featuring a private plunge pool.

World’s View is a “superior deluxe cottage”, rather larger, with bedrooms on two floors, suitable for up to five guests, also featuring a private plunge pool.

Eagle’s Nest is a “superior standard room”, located high above the main building and with stunning views, with one bedroom for two people.

Family is a “deluxe cottage” with two main bedrooms, one of which has a further loft bedroom for children, suitable for six people. There is also a large lounge area.

Lookout is a “deluxe cottage”, also suitable for honeymooners, with one bedroom that can also include an extra bed for a child, making three people.

Activities

Ant’s Hill provides access to the following activities, most of which are usually included in the room rate …

• Horse-back safari
• Vehicle safari
• Walking safari
• Mountain-bike safari
• Bush meals
• Night vehicle safari
• Animal welfare projects

The Waterberg Mountains area tends to feature in trips relatively rarely, mainly because it is so much lesser-known than Kruger. For this reason, most of the lodges offer much better value for money and often try a lot harder to please.

The usual stay duration is 3-5 nights.

Seasonality

Waterberg has a similar climate to other safari areas in this region but, importantly, it gets a great deal less rain than Kruger, so can be much more attractive during the key rainy season months of November to March …

Apr-Oct is the long dry season in the reserve, the best time for wildlife viewing. Although it can get very cold at night in May-Jul and very hot and humid in October.

Nov-Mar is the green season in Waterberg, when relatively light and sporadic rains freshen the landscapes, but can occasionally become prolonged. As the season progresses, the increase in grass and foliage cover can make wildlife viewing more of a challenge.

Getting there

The Waterberg Mountains area is almost always accessed from Johannesburg, usually by light aircraft, which is a simple and easy hop.

It is also possible to travel up from Johannesburg by road, a journey of around four hours, which is not particularly interesting (since it passes mainly along main sealed roads through farmlands and towns), but is not unpleasant.

Once in the reserve of your choice you get around with a guide and vehicle from the camp at which you are staying. The various reserves can be connected by means of road transfers, also usually provided by the lodges.

Self-drive vehicles are not generally permitted to enter the reserves, although in some areas you are allowed to drive as far as your camp, but are not allowed to undertake safari.

particularly good value for money