Ant’s Nest
Premier
₤ 289 (Pps)
Overview
- Ant’s Nest is the original Bush homestead ideal for family safaris
- Reminiscent of a Safari House in East Africa
- Suitable for families or friends traveling together
- Superb range of safari & bush activities on offer
- Horse-riding – some of the most exciting game-viewing on horseback in Africa
Ant's Nest is a private bush home in the Waterberg region in the north of South Africa. It is usually taken exclusively as a private 'safari house' (but also on a room by room basis). So, it's a wonderful destination for families, keen riders or just good friends travelling together.
Ant's Nest lies in a private game reserve in the magnificent, malaria-free Waterberg region of South Africa. The aim is to provide you with a unique safari experience, offering a wide range of activities to keep everyone entertained! From the youngest to the oldest, and the fittest to those most in need of a rest. Downstairs there's a cosy sitting room with an open fireplace, perfect for relaxing on those chilly evenings, and an indoor dining and bar area. Outside, there's a good-sized pool and fenced garden.
Safari options at Ant's Nest
You enjoy game viewing in a variety of ways. The main focus is their horse riding safaris. They are famous for having almost 100 horses walking with the game, offering some of the most exciting game viewing on horseback in Africa – whatever your age or riding ability. However, if you fancy a change from horse riding safaris, Ant's Nest also offers guided game walks, from a gentle stroll on the plains to a more strenuous hike over the hills. Game drives in open 4x4 Landcruisers allow you to cover more ground and experience wildlife in a traditional but less energetic way with lots of plains game on offer.
Ant's Nest is very flexible – your guide will tailor-make each day specifically to suit your party. So wake up when you want and enjoy a time of pure relaxation or action-packed excitement. It is also known for its family safaris.
Note that this is not a Big Five reserve and so unless horse-riding safaris are your thing, we would recommend teaming up a safari here with a safari in a more classical game-viewing area such as the Kruger, Madikwe or even the nearby Welgevonden Game Reserve.
Accommodation
Ant's Nest comprises the main homestead, which has two en suite bedrooms downstairs and three en suite bedrooms upstairs, all with private lounge areas. There are also two en suite rondavel rooms across the lawns so that it can accommodate parties of up to 14 people.
Weaver Suite is their largest and most deluxe room. With its expansive views across the valley, this room has a king-size four poster bed, large day bed and still more room for an extra bed if needed. The en-suite bathroom has a bath and separate shower. The private verandah overlooking the bush is perfect for relaxing in the heat of the day and for private dinners.
Upstairs, the Sable Suite is a two bedroom family suite. The master bedroom has a king-size four poster bed with incredible views overlooking the bush. This leads to an exceptionally large bathroom and dressing area with bath and shower. Adjacent is an en-suite twin room, ideal for two children travelling with their parents. An additional bed is possible for a third child. There is a spacious sitting room with a fireplace, dining area and full bar. This opens up on to a very comfortable private veranda with a shady seating area.
The Davison rooms are comfortable bedrooms downstairs in the original homestead. These rooms can be booked individually or make an ideal family suite for those on a budget.
The two Rondavel rooms under thatch are set to the side of the main homestead. The outside veranda offers a private seating area with a chill-out day bed. Inside is a wooden four poster bed, as well as a day bed, suitable for a child. The en suite bathroom has a bath and indoor and outdoor showers.
Family Safaris at Ant's Nest
Both Ant's Nest and its sister lodge, Ant''s Hill, are perfect for family safaris. As there are no major predators, even young children can join on game drives. Many of the rooms are large enough for children to share with parents and there are a number of family suites with two separate bedrooms. They also have cots and high chairs for infants & toddlers. There are special kids menus. Alternatively, they can also enjoy dinners together as a family.
Your ranger is also happy to arrange special activities if parents are out on other activities. These could include bug walks, archery game drives or nature walks. Back at the lodge, there are heated pools, trampolines and toys to keep them entertained. Horse-riding is often a big hit with the children but children under 4 will only be allowed out on a pony/lead rein near the lodge and not on longer outrides. If you take it as exclusive use, then the safari plan is even more flexible and can be designed around your family interests alone.
Ant’s Nest gallery
Ant’s Nest on the map
Rooms
Click on the Green Dot to see Room Images
Weaver Suite
A deluxe suite – this is without a doubt our largest double room and private verandah. With its expansive views across the valley, this room has a king-size four poster bed, as well as a large four poster day bed and still lots more room for an extra bed if you have kids sharing. The en-suite bathroom has a bath and separate shower. The verandah overlooking the bush is perfect for relaxing in the heat of the day and is ideal for private dinners. The Weaver Suite is perfect for honeymooners or families travelling with small children. There is also a mini bar with tea and coffee making facilities
Sable Suite, Double and twin
A deluxe family suite - Upstairs in the main house is a very spacious luxury suite, perfect for families. The master bedroom features a king-size four poster bed with incredible views overlooking the gardens and bush beyond. This leads through to an exceptionally large bathroom and dressing area with bath and shower.
Located beside this is an en-suite twin (which can be converted to a double), ideal for two children travelling with their parents. An additional ¾ four poster bed is located just outside this bedroom, for a third child.
There is a spacious sitting room with comfortable sofas and a fireplace, alongside a dining area and full bar with tea and coffee making facilities. This opens up on to a very comfortable private verandah with shady seating area
Rondavel Suite
A standard room – this is a charming double room, built in the traditionally African circular form with high thatched roof, set to the side of the main house. The outside verandah offers a private seating area with chill out day bed, leading into the bedroom with rustic four poster bed, perfect for couples wanting to enjoy a romantic escape. The room also contains a four poster day bed, suitable for a child sharing with parents. Leading off the bedroom is an en-suite bathroom with bath, shower and an outside shower. There is also a mini bar with tea and coffee making facilities
Davidson Double and Twin
Standard rooms – these are two comfortable bedrooms located downstairs in the original homestead. The double room has a four poster bed and en-suite bathroom, with doors opening up onto a private verandah area with outside seating. Located just next door is a twin room (which can be converted to a double), also with en-suite bathroom and doors opening out to the verandah. These rooms can be booked individually or make an ideal family suite for those on a budget. These rooms are connected by a passage to a cosy sitting room with an open fireplace, perfect for relaxing on those chilly evenings, and an indoor dining and bar area.
