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What’s included:
Accommodation on a full board basis, all beverages, laundry and all game viewing activities including riding,
walking, game drives and mountain biking.
Not included:
Massages, clay pigeon and target shooting, additional activities off the property, curio shop purchases and gratuities.
Meals:
We are able to cater for all dietary requirements, but would require you to advise us in
advance if you have allergies or special needs. We are happy to prepare special children meals.
Facilities:
Ant’s Nest consists of the main house, which has two double suites downstairs and two double suites upstairs,
all with private lounge areas. There are also two double suites, with private bathrooms and verandahs across the lawns.
Ant’s Hill consists of two privately situated honeymoon suites away from the main lodge with stunning views,
a family cottage that has two main bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and an extra loft room, perfect for kids,
as well as a private sitting room and verandah. Another luxurious twin bedroom with a private verandah is located
above the main lodge.
Luggage:
Please make sure to lock all of your bags when traveling and to obtain travel insurance prior to departure.
It is recommended that you travel with a set of clothes and essential items in your carry-on bags in case of luggage being lost.
What to bring:
Sunglasses, sun cream, hat, swimming costume, neutral bush coloured clothing: shorts, trousers, shirts,
riding helmets and leather chaps with comfortable old riding clothes (helmets are also available at the lodge)
walking shoes or trainers. We recommend a warm fleece/jacket throughout the year.
Warmer clothing is recommended for our winter months (see climate below). Binoculars, camera with batteries or disc
and charger. Personal medications. Light rain jacket (if traveling in the rainy season).
Country Specific Information:
South Africa: Official Language: English, Afrikaans and a variety of local African languages.
Climate:
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 4,500 feet above sea level offers a wonderful
temperate climate and can be visited all year round. Summer (November to March) – the days can get quite warm
(up to 28-32 degrees on average) but it is a dry heat. We do get summer rainfall, normally in the form of thunder storms.
These rarely affect activities and are usually in the evening, however, the African climate is still always unpredictable.
Autumn (April to May) – days can still be warm but the evenings cool down. Average day time temperature 22-28 degrees.
Evenings 10-15 degrees. Winter (June to August) – days are warm (temperatures in the mid-twenties) evenings and early
mornings very cold with average early morning temperatures 5-12 degrees. It very rarely rains at this time when the bush
is golden and dry. Spring (September, October) – days start getting hotter, evenings and mornings could still be crisp
but not as cold. A very slim chance of rain. On occasion we can get very hot days.
Medical:
The whole area is malaria-free and since we have excellent local doctors with one of the countries’ leading
paediatricians living nearby, the Waterberg is one of the safest places to visit in Africa. You will only need to ensure your
tetanus injections are up to date. Tick bite fever can be contracted from pepper ticks in the summer months.
This is easily treated ~ please consult us for symptoms. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ANYONE VISITING US HAS FULL TRAVEL
AND MEDICAL INSURANCE. Up-to-date Tetanus and Hepatitis injections are required for some countries,
but recommended for all.
Both Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill have a number of staff trained as First Responders, however it is vital to have full
travel and medical insurance for emergencies. Some hospitals and air rescue may require up-front payment.
Guests will be required to sign an indemnity before going out on any of the activities.
Money:
We accept all major currencies (USD, GBP, and Euro). If using U$D, please make sure to bring new notes
as most countries do not accept old notes (with smaller heads). We accept credit cards, but only Visa and Mastercard,
and please note that there is an additional 5% charge should you wish to pay with your card.
Electricity: We have large round-pin plugs with AC 220V voltage at all lodges.
Plugs vary from country to country, so do travel with a set of adapters to ensure your ability to charge and use
your appliances on safari.
Water:
The water is safe to drink at both lodges, but if you would prefer bottled water the staff will be happy
to accommodate your wishes. Please make sure to inform the lodge staff of any dietary requirements or allergies prior to travel.
Gratuities:
Tipping is not required at any of the lodges, but if you feel the service was deserving of a tip,
a general guideline is R 100 per visitor per day (the management distributes this amongst all the staff).
Game List:
We usually find: white rhino, zebra, giraffe, warthog, blue wildebeest, buffalo, sable antelope, nyala, waterbuck,
impala, red hartebeest, blesbok, kudu, the rare Livingstone eland, oryx, mountain reedbuck, bushbuck and nyala,
steenbok, mongoose, springhare, chacma baboon, vervet monkey, duiker, black backed jackal, scrub hare,
lesser bush baby, tree squirrel, rock hyraxes. We sometimes spot nocturnal species such as: leopard, carcal,
aardvark, brown hyena, porcupine, bush pig, bat eared fox, striped polecat, honey badger, serval cat,
African civet, genets, wild cat and klipspringer. Please contact us for an up to date bird list
Click here for Ant's recommendations.
Directions to Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill from Johannesburg
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE NOW HAVE SEVERAL TOLL GATES ON ROUTE SO YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE ABOUT
A R100 IN CASH FOR TOLL FEES.
• From OR Tambo International Airport (formally known as Johannesburg International Airport),
take R21 to Pretoria. After about 15-20 minutes you will see an off-ramp road that says Pretoria East/Pietersburg
(now called Polokwane) N1, take this off ramp and continue on the N1 north.
• From Johannesburg/Pretoria take the NI north. Once on the N1 you will go past the outskirts of Pretoria and
continue for at least 60-80 minutes. At the third toll station (this is known as the Kranskop Tollgate) ensure you
are in the very left lane as you will coming off the highway here. Turn left towards Nylstroom/Modimolle on the R33.
• After about 10 km pass straight through Nylstroom/Modimolle and continue for 60kms to Vaalwater.
• Go through Vaalwater. On reaching the Total Garage and Kwikspar, turn right on the R33 towards Ellisras/Lephalale
(the new Ellisras road).
For Ant’s Nest:
• Follow this road for 11kms – take right hand turn down the wide gravel road to Dorset.
• Follow this for 10.5 kms on the left you will see a sign for Ant’s Nest, with a thatched entrance.
• Open the gate and follow the road for about 3kms down into the valley and to the lodge. There are
signs indicating lodge.
*** Please note that there is a very steep pass down into the valley, but a normal saloon car
will make it down fine if you take it slowly in 1st gear.****
For Ant’s Hill:
• once on the R33 towards Ellisras travel for approximately 18-19 km until you see a sign hanging on two tree trunks
marked Ant’s Hill, with a couple of aloes around the sign post.
• turn right onto a gravel road. Go straight on the gravel road until you see a thatched entrance, which is marked
Ant’s Hill. Open the gate and follow the signs to the lodge which is about 3-4 kms.
Please phone us should you get stuck anywhere: 014 755 4296/ 014 755 3584
Ant’s Hill: 014 755 4270
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