Ant’s Big Five Safari

The Ant’s Big Five Safari is based at Ant’s River Lodge which is on the 41,000 acre Kaingo private game reserve. This is the newest addition to the Ant’s Lodge portfolio.

This safari is for experienced riders only and with the same quality of horses, guides and hospitality that any holiday at Ant’s is famous for.

Kaingo hosts more than 50 mammal species and over 250 bird species – including buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, zebra, bush pig, elephant, rhino, lion and leopard. Please note that sightings can never be guaranteed.

Kaingo is proudly a ‘conservation first’ reserve which follows ethical management practices and sound conservation principles. There are few visitors to the reserve and so you can explore the landscape and view the game without seeing many other people.

As well as riding over Kaingo Reserve you may go on game drives which will give you the possibility of getting close to animals. Game walks with a trained field guide will give you a completely different experience.

Kaingo has an important research centre and it may be possible to participate hands-on with various research and conservation activities. Ornithologists and keen bird watchers have the opportunity to spot more than 250 bird species including African finfoot and Narina trogon.

With hundreds of images spread across the reserve, Kaingo offers a huge variety of Waterberg rock art and archaeological finds dating to the Stone Age.

There are 13 kms of the Mokolo River traversing the reserve with excellent fishing and photographic opportunities. Included in the safari is a cruise aboard the Kaingo barge, a solar powered vessel.

The lodge has a number of excellent well-schooled horses from Thoroughbreds and Arabs to Boerperd crosses.

You must be an experienced and fit rider who is comfortable at all paces. You are riding in an area of dangerous game and it is important that you are secure on your horse. The terrain can be challenging with both uphill and downhill canters along winding and uneven roads, where you might encounter low hanging branches and other obstacles. There will also be long periods at walk when you are tracking game.

The horses are ridden in South African Trail saddles and most have snaffle bridles.

Hard hats are mandatory on this ride.

Ant's River Lodge is located on the Kaingo Private Game Reserve and has a beautiful setting on the banks of the Mokolo River with stunning views out over the African bush.

The lodge has 10 rooms which can all be double or twins. Each has an en-suite bathroom and private veranda overlooking the river. Every room has a mini bar, tea/coffee facilities and air-conditioning.

Guests can also enjoy a spacious lodge with comfortable lounge and dining areas as well as a swimming pool, bar and riverside viewing deck.

Accommodation Gallery

Upcoming Dates

The itinerary is 7 nights with arrival days throughout the year. The usual maximum riding group is 6 riders. Please contact us to check availability for any of the dates below.

Holiday	Experience LevelExp Lvl	Arrive - DepartArr - Dep		Price	Itinerary	Availability
Ant's Big Five Safari		18 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,270.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		16 May 2026 - 23 May 2026	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,270.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		27 Jun 2026 - 4 Jul 2026	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,270.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		1 Aug 2026 - 8 Aug 2026	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,270.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		5 Sep 2026 - 12 Sep 2026	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,270.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		3 Oct 2026 - 10 Oct 2026	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,270.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		14 Nov 2026 - 21 Nov 2026	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,270.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		12 Dec 2026 - 19 Dec 2026	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,270.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		9 Jan 2027 - 16 Jan 2027	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,270.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		13 Feb 2027 - 20 Feb 2027	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,795.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		20 Mar 2027 - 27 Mar 2027	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,795.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		17 Apr 2027 - 24 Apr 2027	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,795.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		15 May 2027 - 22 May 2027	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,795.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		19 Jun 2027 - 26 Jun 2027	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,795.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		10 Jul 2027 - 17 Jul 2027	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,795.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		15 Aug 2027 - 22 Aug 2027	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,795.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		11 Sep 2027 - 18 Sep 2027	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,795.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		9 Oct 2027 - 16 Oct 2027	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,795.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		13 Nov 2027 - 20 Nov 2027	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,795.00		Book
Ant's Big Five Safari		12 Dec 2027 - 19 Dec 2027	7 nights 7 ngts	£4,795.00		Book

Prices

INCLUDES Accommodation; full board; drinks; riding; game drives; bush walks, river cruise and Rhino Conservation Fee.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT There is no single supplement.

PAYABLE LOCALLY Off reserve activities; massage treatments; cellar wines & champagne; tips.

NEAREST AIRPORT Johannesburg

TRANSFERS Shared road transfers from Johannesburg airport at a set time cost £65.00 per person each way.

Getting There

For Ant's Big Five Safari

For the Ant's Big Five Safari shared transfers (extra cost) are arranged from and to Johannesburg International airport.

For the shared transfer on arrival day your flight should arrive into Johannesburg by 09:30 for a transfer departing the airport at 10:30. On departure day the transfer will leave at 13:00 and so your return flight should be after 19:30. Private transfers are also possible at extra cost.

The journey from Johannesburg to Ant's River Lodge is about 3.5 to 4 hours.

In The Saddle Gallery

Location

Kaingo Private Game Reserve is in the Waterberg region of South Africa. The reserve is approximately 40 minutes from Ant's Nest and Ant's Hill; some three and a half hours drive north of Johannesburg and five hours west of the Kruger National Park.

Weather & Climate

Dry and mild in winter. Warm to hot in summer with occasional summer storms.