Ants Hill and Ants Nest

Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill are located in the Waterberg region of the Limpopo province in the northern part of South Africa. This beautiful area is malaria free and at an altitude of 4500 feet above sea level offers a wonderful temperate climate and can be visited all year round (see fact file for more details) It is an easy 3 hour drive north of Johannesburg, 3.5 hours east of Madikwe Game Reserve and 2.5 hours south of the Tuli in Botswana.

Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill are owned and run by Ant and Tessa Baber. The Baber family were one of the earliest pioneers in the region and settled here in 1886 from English and Irish descent, and have carried with them the love for Africa’s huge wide open space, adventure and a passion for it’s wildlife. Ant and Tessa renovated a derelict old ranch house in the mid 1990’s (to become Ant’s Nest) and as passionate conservationists started the development of the private game reserve allowing it to become the game paradise it is today. Ant’s Hill was designed and built by Ant and Tess and opened in 2003.

The reserve now boasts a successfully breeding population of white rhino, disease free buffalo, magnificent sable antelope and a vast variety of other game.

Tessa, who is Kenyan born has brought to both lodges an exotic and exciting touch of bright colour, hand crafted amazing furniture and the blend of natural colours and features to the design and interiors. Decadent waterfall showers, deep sunken baths combined with African views add to the uniqueness of the comfort. Ant having grown up on horseback on his family cattle ranch, realised that viewing game from horseback and riding in the African bush combines his passions and it is this which motivated him in creating Ant’s Nest and Hill to share this experience with guests.

At both Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill there are two dedicated and hardworking teams who endeavour to give each guest a memorable African riding experience. They are all enthusiastic young people handpicked for their love of wildlife, horses and hospitality. Rides are always guided by two professional local guides who add to the experience their infinite knowledge of the game, flora, tracks, natural medicines and love of the bush.