
from 4 y.o
From the horse’s mouth
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Ants LodgesJune 2023 Jodi aged 47Louise was fantastic in helping us plan a most magical and memorable South Africa and Botswana safari trip. The combination of horseback riding and game drives were perfect and every place we stayed was quite wonderful. If you need help planning a safari, especially with horses, Equus Journeys is the best resource I... Read all
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Ants LodgesMay 2023 Barbara aged 72Trip of a lifetime, bucket list quality. Thanks so much!! Would love to hear other similar recommendations.
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Ants LodgesNovember 2022 Lucy Dominique aged 39A lovely place to stay. The two week old baby rhino, Commander, was an absolute hilight and so bold and curious with the horses! Riding out with Ant was fast paced and fun for the more experienced among us. I rode three different horses at Ant’s nest. All were forward going, polite and tough, tackling any tricky... Read all
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Ants LodgesJune 2018 Roy Thomas aged 73Totally satisfied with all aspects of our trip. The organisation could not have been bettered from when we left Heathrow to when we returned having visited South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and the last few days in Zanzibar....a perfect experience. Well done and thank you. Although I didn't ride my comments... Read all
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Ants LodgesJune 2018 Janet Yvonne aged 65Everthing was just perfect. The organisation involved in making this such a memorable trip could not have been bettered. All flights, transfers, taxis etc. worked like clockwork from Heathrow to South Africa then Botwana then Zimbabwe then Tanzania then Zanzibar and back to Heathrow. Our guides could not have been... Read all
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Enjoy long canters through the African bush on this riding safari -
Watching sable antelope on a riding safari in South Africa -
This horseback safari is for riders of all levels -
Nothing beats the excitement of watching wildlife from the saddle! -
Discover the eerie beauty Africa on an incredible riding holiday -
The reserve is home to water buffalo, and numerous other species -
A thrilling riding safari in the Waterberg region of South Africa -
Giraffes are always a guest favourite - Ant's Lodges -
Riding in the dam is a highlight of this horseback safari -
The lodge is committed to rhino conservation and involved in many anti-poaching initiatives -
Ant's Lodges is one of our top destinations for a family riding holiday
Itinerary
Highlights
- The diverse topography of the reserve also enables us to naturally sustain over 40 species of game including giraffe, white rhino, sable antelope, Roan antelope, buffalo, nyala, gemsbok (Oryx), kudu, Livingstone eland, blue wildebeest (gnu), red hartebeest, zebra, impala, bushbuck, duiker, steenbuck, mountain reedbuck, waterbuck, warthog, blesbuck, baboons, bushpig, klipspringer, leopard, jackal, brown hyena, caracal, civet and genet to name but a few.
- Small group sizes and plenty of guides offering great flexibility
- Numerous activities available on-site to suit non-riders as well as riders : game drives, walking safaris, fishing, swimming. Off-site activities can also be arranged locally at extra cost.
- Ideal for families during school holidays with activities aimed to introduce the secrets of the bush to children. Ponies are available for children to ride and a babysitter is also possible for very young children.
- Also ideal for singles or friends travelling together, particularly outside of the busy school holiday period
- Perfect for honeymoon couples with two private honeymoon cottages available
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Day 1 1 : EUROPE - JOHANNESBURG
International flight overnight to Johannesburg (not included).
We recommend aiming to arrive in Johannesburg in the morning of Day 2, but transfers are private and can be arranged at any time. Alternatively you can arrive a day earlier in Johannesburg and spend a night in the city. -
Day 2 2 : JOHANNESBURG - WATERBERG - 2 hours riding
ANTS NESTArrive at Johannesburg airport, where you will be met and transferred to the lodge in the middle of the Waterberg plateau (c. 3h drive). You should arrive in time for lunch and a short siesta before your first afternoon ride, where you get the chance to meet the horses and your guides.
You will either be at Ants Hill or Ants Nest, although it is possible to combine the two lodges, spending a couple of nights at each. -
Day 3 3 : WATERBERG - 4-6 hours riding
ANTS NESTThe daily itinerary is flexible dependent on what you would like to do. There are 3 different activities on offer each morning and afternoon. If you are purely interested in riding then you may spend up to 6 hours a day in the saddle split between morning and afternoon rides; whilst those not as enthusiastic can enjoy a mixture of riding as well as other activities such as guided walks, mountain biking or game drives. The choice is yours!
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Day 4 4 : WATERBERG - 4-6 hours riding
ANTS NESTIt's completely up to you - you can choose to ride for up to 6 hours (split between morning and afternoon rides) or to join alternative activities such as a guided walk or game drives. Or you could simply relax by the pool! -
Day 5 5 : WATERBERG - 4-6 hours riding
ANTS NESTIt's completely up to you - you can choose to ride for up to 6 hours (split between morning and afternoon rides) or to join alternative activities such as a guided walk or game drives. Or you could simply relax by the pool!
If you have chosen to split your stay between the two lodges then you could move today, spending your morning activity at one lodge and your afternoon activity at the other. -
Day 6 6 : WATERBERG - 4-6 hours riding
ANTS NESTIt's completely up to you - you can choose to ride for up to 6 hours (split between morning and afternoon rides) or to join alternative activities such as a guided walk or game drives. You may wish to go off-site to a neighbouring Big Five reserve in search of the game that are not present at Ants Lodges, such as elephant and lion - these trips are booked and paid for locally. -
Day 7 7 : WATERBERG - 4-6 hours riding
ANTS NESTIt's completely up to you - you can choose to ride for up to 6 hours (split between morning and afternoon rides) or to join alternative activities such as a guided walk or game drives. Or you could simply relax by the pool! -
Day 8 8 : WATERBERG - 4-6 hours riding
ANTS NESTIt's completely up to you - you can choose to ride for up to 6 hours (split between morning and afternoon rides) or to join alternative activities such as a guided walk or game drives. Or you could simply relax by the pool! -
Day 9 9 : WATERBERG - JOHANNESBURG
There should be time for a final ride this morning before brunch, then you are transferred to Johannesburg airport in time for your flight back to the UK. We recommend booking an overnight flight if possible. -
Day 10 10 : EUROPE
Arrival back home during the early morning.
Dates & prices
Price details
- Flights or transportation to your destination (international/domestic) are not included, but can be booked on request - please contact us for rates.
- The prices displayed above correspond to a 7 night stay sharing a basic standard twin room (Davidson Room). There are numerous different room categories so please enquire for an accurate quote reflecting the room availability over your preferred dates. If you decide to stay for shorter durations, please note the nightly rate may be slightly more expensive depending on your chosen dates.- You can arrive and depart on any day and stay for as long as you like. The above dates are for guidance only, so please contact us with your preferred dates.
- Transfer from and to Johannesburg International Airport are not included in the price and will be invoiced separately. This is currently priced at £310/€360/$385 each way per car (up to 3 people) but please note these prices are subject to change and will be confirmed with your quotation. All pick-ups before 08:00 and all drop-offs after 16:30 will be subject to a £60/€70/$75 surcharge. Solo riders or groups of 2 can also request shared transfers with other guests, in which case this will be paid locally depending on how many guests are able to share the transfer (if no sharers are found, the full rate will apply)
- A single room supplement is applicable for solo travellers. This is calculated depending on the season and room type, please enquire.
The full description of the rooms can be found in the "Did you know?" tab on this page. Prices for the rooms are calculated per person/per night based on a double room (in up to 2 different lodges, of the same standard) and include conservation fees. Long stays will benefit from a preferential rate. Whether you wish to stay for 7 days, or shorter, or longer, we recommend contacting us first so we can put together a personalised quotation
- There are child discounts available if children are sharing rooms with their parents - please enquire for more details.
- There are a number of off-site activities available in the area which are payable locally.
- Vehicle safari in neighboring Big Five reserve: R640
- Fishing (depending on the season)
- Handicraft shopping in neighbouring village
- Massage : c. R500 (one hour) R300 (1/2 hour)
- Private guide (one activity in the morning and one in the afternoon ) : c. R2000
Please note that those activities which are off-site will also incur additional transfer costs.
Please Note
The itinerary may be modified at anytime for security reasons, meteorological or events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes and local holidays. Equus Journeys, our local partners and their local guides will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.
The names of the hotels and accommodation are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.
Price includes
Support Team
Logistics
1 assistant groom
Accommodation
Meals
Extras
Price doesn't include
Transports
Airport transfers
Extra
Insurance
Optional
Accommodation
Transport
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Departure Return Price without flights Status 08/12/2023 17/12/2023 £2,240 €2,531 $2,778 Contact an advisor 15/12/2023 24/12/2023 £2,450 €2,769 $3,038 Book now 22/12/2023 31/12/2023 £2,450 €2,769 $3,038 Book now 29/12/2023 07/01/2024 £2,450 €2,769 $3,038 Book now -
Departure Return Price without flights Status 12/01/2024 21/01/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 19/01/2024 28/01/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 26/01/2024 04/02/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 02/02/2024 11/02/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 09/02/2024 18/02/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 16/02/2024 25/02/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 23/02/2024 03/03/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now -
Departure Return Price without flights Status 01/03/2024 10/03/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 08/03/2024 17/03/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 15/03/2024 24/03/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 22/03/2024 31/03/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 29/03/2024 07/04/2024 £2,450 €2,818 $3,038 Book now 05/04/2024 14/04/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 12/04/2024 21/04/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 19/04/2024 28/04/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 26/04/2024 05/05/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now -
Departure Return Price without flights Status 03/05/2024 12/05/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 10/05/2024 19/05/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 17/05/2024 26/05/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 24/05/2024 02/06/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 07/06/2024 16/06/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 14/06/2024 23/06/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 21/06/2024 30/06/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 28/06/2024 07/07/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now -
Departure Return Price without flights Status 05/07/2024 14/07/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 12/07/2024 21/07/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 19/07/2024 28/07/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 26/07/2024 04/08/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 02/08/2024 11/08/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 09/08/2024 18/08/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 16/08/2024 25/08/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 23/08/2024 01/09/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 30/08/2024 08/09/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now -
Departure Return Price without flights Status 06/09/2024 15/09/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 13/09/2024 22/09/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 20/09/2024 29/09/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 27/09/2024 06/10/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 04/10/2024 13/10/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 11/10/2024 20/10/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 18/10/2024 27/10/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 25/10/2024 03/11/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now -
Departure Return Price without flights Status 01/11/2024 10/11/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 08/11/2024 17/11/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 15/11/2024 24/11/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 22/11/2024 01/12/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 29/11/2024 08/12/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 06/12/2024 15/12/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 13/12/2024 22/12/2024 £2,100 €2,415 $2,604 Book now 20/12/2024 29/12/2024 £2,450 €2,818 $3,038 Book now 27/12/2024 05/01/2025 £2,450 €2,818 $3,038 Book now
Equestrian info
Horses
The horses range from big, strong, forward going thoroughbreds, tough African Boerperds and exciting crossbreeds. There is a horse to suit everyone, from beginners to competent riders.
McLellan trail saddles are used along with English bridles. Hard hats are compulsory.
Guide & local team
Minimum riding ability
Minimum riding ability
A hard hat is compulsory and we recommend you take your own to ensure the best fit.
There is a weight limit of 120 Kgs (19 stone or ~ 265 lbs)
Pace
Tacking ability and participation
Trip conditions and Requested experience
Equestrian equipment
A bottlehandler is provided on the saddles.
We recommend our riders to wear a helmet to the correct standard and you should bring your own to ensure a proper fit.
Travel info
Comfort
- Ant’s Nest is nestled in a natural amphitheatre. This is the original homestead, with a wide variety of game frequenting the waterhole in front of the lodge, where horses and dogs abound. There are wide verandahs, a heated swimming pool in the garden and plenty of areas for relaxing.
- Ant's Hill is built on the edge of a cliff, offering breathtaking views across the Waterberg. The draped four-poster beds are seven foot wide and each bathroom is spectacular. Set in boulders on the edge of the cliff, the heated swimming pool cascades over the lip of the gorge, inducing you to relax there for hours.
The rooms at each lodge are unique and priced individually. There are twin/double rooms situated above the main lodge with a private veranda overlooking the spectacular gorge; a spectacular two bedroom cottage with vast living and veranda areas as well as a plunge pool; privately appointed honeymoon cottages, one which has a private plunge pool. Please ask for information on which rooms are available for your desired period.
WiFi is available in the communal areas and in the rooms.
Meals
Most drinks are included, including alcohol, except for premium wines, champagnes etc. You can help yourself to soft drinks, water, juice etc throughout the day. Tap water is safe to drink but the staff can buy bottled water for you if you prefer.
There are three meals a day - breakfast, a light lunch, and a three course dinner in the evening. Guests usually eat together around one communal table but honeymoon couples can request private dining one night if they wish.
Climate
From January to March, the weather is usually drier and the days are very hot. Your morning rides finish earlier in order to avoid this heat. At this time of year, mosquitoes and other insects are also more present and numerous in comparison to the winter months.
In April, the vegetation starts to change, the green bush becomes brown and sparse throughout this period of autumn. The temperatures will drop during the night, however during the day it will still be hot with the possibility of storms in the afternoon.
In May and June, the winter months, the temperature lowers significantly at night and early in the morning. The vegetation becomes browner still and the tress lose their leaves. Due to the sparseness of the vegetation, visibility through the bush is improved.
From July to September, the weather is extremely dry with very cold nights. The temperature is also quite cool during your morning and end-of-afternoon excursions.
From October to November, the spring is at its peak dryness with hot winds and sparse vegetation. The first rains arrive at the end of October.
Tips
Packing list
- Hard hats are mandatory when riding and we recommend that you take your own to ensure a correct fit. They can be provided by the lodge if necessary.
- Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana
Upper body
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and thorns
- T-shirts
- Fleece, jumper or jacket - the evenings can be cold, particularly during the winter months (May - September)
- Waterproof jacket - particularly during the summer months (October - April) when there can be rain or thunderstorms
- Casual clothes for the evening
Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Shorts for lazy lunchtimes
- Casual clothes for the evening
Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps to protect against thorns. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged
- Sandals, flip-flops or trainers for moving around the lodge and camp
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun whilst riding
Nightwear
Other useful items
- Swimsuit - for the pool or swimming your horse in the dam
- Binoculars for viewing game
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Torch for finding your way back to your room at night
Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - must be high factor
- Insect repellent, preferably containing deet
- Any medication you regularly take
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
Our Recommendations
- Wherever possible you should wear neutral colours, such as beige, brown or natural bush colours for riding as bright colours, such as red, yellow or white can startle the wildlife and they will see you long before you've seen them
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals
- In your hand luggage carry any valuables, such as your camera, ipod, ipad etc.
- Travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes is highly recommended - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
Sustainable tourism
- Travel light. It's a little known fact, but the lighter you pack, the better for the environment as heavy bags will produce higher emissions (when flying a plane or driving a car!).
- Reduce plastic waste. Take your favorite reusable bottle with you. Avoid single-use bags, cups, or straws.
- Preserve nature. Always take your rubbish with you during the ride and recycle them. Leave all the flowers or plants as you found them, and never get too close when observing wildlife. Make sure to use eco-friendly products such as body wash or laundry detergent (if camping) to protect both your skin and the environment.
- Choose your experiences carefully. Respect animal life by not participating in any activities that abuse wild animals (shows, elephant rides, etc.).
- Support local populations. Buy local handicrafts, be respectful of customs, and learn about the culture of local communities.
- Share! Raise awareness among your family and friends about sustainable tourism.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Ant's Nest & Ant's Hill are 2 beautiful bush homes located on a private game reserve, nestled in the folds of the magnificent malaria free Waterberg region of the Limpopo Province.
Sable Suite, a deluxe family suite, upstairs in the main house is a very spacious luxury suite, perfect for families.
Rondavel, which is a charming double room, built in the traditionally African circular form.
The Davidson, are two comfortable bedrooms located downstairs in the original homestead.
The Flycatcher and Kingfisher suites, two standard double suites.
Weaver Suite, a deluxe suite with a large double room and private verandah, with its expansive views across the valley.
Ant's Hill, built on the edge of a cliff, this bush home offers spacious rooms and vast folding doors :
World's View, a superior deluxe cottage.
Hide Away, a luxury cottage perfect for honeymooners or couples looking for a romantic getaway.
Family Cottage, a deluxe cottage ideal for families of up to six people.
Look Out, a stunning deluxe cottage ideal for honeymooners.
Eagles Nest, standard room with some of the best views of the lodge.
On the blog
Customer reviews
Customer reviews
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Jodi aged 47 APEX 1 tripJune 2023Louise was fantastic in helping us plan a most magical and memorable South Africa and Botswana safari trip. The combination of horseback riding and game drives were perfect and every place we stayed was quite wonderful. If you need help planning a safari, especially with horses, Equus Journeys is the best resource I... Read all
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Horses
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Programme
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Accommodation
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Local guide
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Barbara aged 72 CORDOVA 2 tripsMay 2023Trip of a lifetime, bucket list quality. Thanks so much!! Would love to hear other similar recommendations.
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Horses
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Programme
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Accommodation
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Local guide
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Lucy Dominique aged 39 NUTLEY 2 tripsNovember 2022A lovely place to stay. The two week old baby rhino, Commander, was an absolute hilight and so bold and curious with the horses! Riding out with Ant was fast paced and fun for the more experienced among us. I rode three different horses at Ant’s nest. All were forward going, polite and tough, tackling any tricky... Read all
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Horses
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Programme
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Accommodation
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Local guide
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Roy Thomas aged 73 retford 2 tripsJune 2018Totally satisfied with all aspects of our trip. The organisation could not have been bettered from when we left Heathrow to when we returned having visited South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and the last few days in Zanzibar....a perfect experience. Well done and thank you. Although I didn't ride my comments... Read all
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Horses
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Programme
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Accommodation
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Local guide
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Janet Yvonne aged 65 BILBY, RETFORD 2 tripsJune 2018Everthing was just perfect. The organisation involved in making this such a memorable trip could not have been bettered. All flights, transfers, taxis etc. worked like clockwork from Heathrow to South Africa then Botwana then Zimbabwe then Tanzania then Zanzibar and back to Heathrow. Our guides could not have been... Read all
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Horses
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Programme
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Accommodation
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Local guide
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