Ant’s Hill

• Ant’s Hill has a panoramic hillside setting overlooking the bushveld in the Waterberg
• Reminiscent of a luxury Safari House in East Africa
• Lots of open airy spaces
• Romantic rooms for couples
• Two Exclusive-Use cottages – suitable for families with children (over 6) or friends
• Superb range of safari & bush activities on offer at Ant’s Hill
• Horse-riding – some of the most exciting game viewing on horseback in Africa

Ant's Hill is a private bush home in the north of South Africa. It is a wonderful destination for honeymooners, families and keen riders alike. It lies on a ridge above a spectacular gorge in its own private game reserve in the magnificent, malaria-free Waterberg region with its dramatic mountain settings. The aim at Ant's Hill is to provide you with a unique safari experience, offering a wide range of activities to keep everyone entertained.

Ant's Hill is owned and run by Ant and Tessa Baber. The Baber family were one of the earliest pioneers in the area, settling in South Africa in 1886. Of English and Irish decent, they carry a love for Africa's wide open spaces, adventure and a passion for its wildlife.

Safaris

You enjoy game viewing in a variety of ways at Ant's Hill. The main focus is their horse riding safaris. They are famous for having almost 100 horses who walk among the game. They offer 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 Hill also offers guided game walks, from a gentle stroll down the plains to a more strenuous hike over rugged hills, enabling you to gain a detailed knowledge of Africa's fauna and flora. 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.

Safaris at Ant's Hill are very flexible. Your guide will tailor-make each day specifically to suit you – so wake up when you want and enjoy a time of pure relaxation or action-packed excitement.

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 Hill consists of five units with seven bedrooms in total.

Eagles Nest has some of the best views. It has an en-suite bathroom and spacious outside balcony with carved day bed – the perfect place to chill out in the heat of the day.

Lookout Cottage is a deluxe room, ideal for honeymooners. Though the day bed can be used for a child or third adult. The bedroom has a fireplace to keep you cosy on winter evenings and opens out onto a deck with a carved daybed, overlooking the valley and a water hole. The open plan en-suite bathroom features a bath with a view, waterfall shower and an outdoor shower overlooking the valley.

Hideaway Cottage is a secluded and private superior cottage, also perfect for romantic couples. (But two beds can be added for children as it is spacious enough.) The king-size four-poster bed has stunning views across the valley, and opens up to an outside veranda with a carved day bed for relaxing in the shade. Steps take you down to a private garden and plunge pool. For those winter evenings, there is a cosy seating area inside with an open fire. The open plan en-suite bathroom has a sunken bath, waterfall shower and French doors to the deck with an outside shower and bush views.

There's a deluxe Family Cottage (120 sqm) with two bedrooms. The main bedroom features a king-size four poster bed and open-plan bathroom including a bath with a view and waterfall shower. The second twin room shares a full bathroom with the extra loft room, ideal for kids (sleeping six). There's a spacious sitting room with open fireplace, dining area and veranda with lovely valley and bush views.

Built with luxury and privacy in mind, World’s View Cottage is the ultimate bush retreat. It is perfect for families of 5 or two couples. The en-suite double bedroom upstairs with bath and shower opens up onto a private balcony with an outside bath overlooking the stunning valley below where giraffe, zebra, kudu and eland can often be seen. The spacious bedroom downstairs opens onto the private pool and can take an extra bed. The en-suite bathroom has a bath with a view, shower and outside waterfall shower. There is a covered veranda with comfortable day beds for relaxing during the heat of the day that leads to the private pool area with sun-beds.

Each cottage is carefully designed to make the most of the magnificent view. All have a mini bar and tea & coffee facilities.

Family Safaris

Ant's Hill is also known for its family safaris, because of its excellent family accommodation (see above) and also its flexibility. However, we don't recommend Ant's Hill for younger children under 6 years because of the long drops from the terrace of the buildings. You may like to consider its sister lodge, Ant's Nest, for younger kids.

As well as the family suites, all of the deluxe rooms are large enough for children to share with parents. There are special kids menus. Alternatively, they can also enjoy dinners together as a family. (They also have cots and high chairs for infants & toddlers.)

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 note that children under 4 will only be allowed out on a pony/lead rein near the lodge. And not on longer outrides.)