Posted on March 29, 2022
In this ‘Spotlight On’ series, we focus on single riding destinations in turn. In each blog we’ll give you the inside scoop on why we think this particular adventure has simply got to be on your riding holiday wish list.
Today’s destination is Ant’s Lodges, a safari holiday in South Africa.
Ant’s have a diverse range of wildlife, including the beautiful white rhino
Ant’s Lodges are situated on a private game reserve in the Waterberg region of South Africa. There are two lodges; Ant’s Nest which is the original homestead and Ant’s Hill which is built on the side of a gorge.
Ant’s Lodges are located in South Africa’s Waterberg region
By road, Ant’s Lodges are approximately three and a half hours north of Johannesburg and five hours west of the Kruger National Park. This region is known for its natural beauty and diverse animal population.
The Waterberg is considered a malaria-free area
Ride alongside game, swim with horses, take a walk or relax by the pool! This centre-based safari has lots of activities to choose from whether you are an experienced rider, are just starting out or have never sat on a horse before.
Mountain biking is another popular activity at Ant’s Lodges
The typical day starts after breakfast with a morning ride or other activity, before returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon there is another late afternoon ride/activity and sundowners.
On a warm day it might be possible to swim with your horse
Each day is different from the one before. One day you may take lunch out in the bush, or perhaps one evening you’ll return to see dinner laid out under the stars.
There are a wide variety of animals on the reserve. During game drives, guided walks, or from horseback, you could see rhino, buffalo, nyala, waterbuck, giraffe, eland, sable, oryx, wildebeest, red hartebeest, kudu, impala, zebra, warthog, and brown hyena. There are also smaller animals such as African wild cat, mongoose and more than 250 species of birds. All levels of rider can be safely taken out on horseback since there are no lion or elephant.
The horses and game are very relaxed – which allows for some amazing up-close encounters
Firstly, the wildlife! There are so many different animals that call the reserve their home and it’s amazing to see them from horseback. Since the horses also live out in the reserve, the animals are habituated to their presence and so you are able to get up close without causing distress.
A magnificent Sable antelope taking a relaxed drink at the waterhole
The second reason to ride at Ant’s Lodges is because you can! The riding is for anyone who wants to have a go. If you are an experienced rider you can enjoy some faster rides and if you are just starting out, enjoy a relaxed shorter ride. The lodges are also ideal for families or groups of mixed abilities.
Two younger children out visiting the zebra
Thirdly, the accommodation. Both lodges have been creatively designed using natural stone and the finest local woods such as wild olive and acacia. With brightly coloured fabrics from Kenya they have a truly unique feel; they are luxurious but in a very homely way. There are different room types to suit all budgets and some of the deluxe cottages even have private pools!
The Hideaway is a superior deluxe cottage at Ant’s Hill
The great news is that Ant’s Lodges are open all year round and since they are on a reserve, there is always plenty of game viewing. The winter months of June to August are usually dry and mild but in the summer months, the temperature doesn’t get too hot due to being at slight altitude.
Imagine riding around the corner and finding a table beautifully laid out and ready for lunch in the bush!
Ant’s have different prices depending on the time of year and so this may be a consideration when looking at dates for your safari. Typically March, April, July, August, October and Christmas are priced at high season whereas January, February, May, June, September and November are priced at low season. During the low season months there is no single supplement on standard and standard plus rooms.
One of the standard rooms at Ant’s Nest.
Call us on +44 (0) 1299 272 997 or email rides@inthesaddle.com for more information. A number of the team have ridden at Ant’s and would be delighted to share their experiences with you.
Hi I am a friend of Gillian Carter’s (massage lady, who I trained under) and seen the many pictures from the beautiful holidays with yourself. I am interested in prices for minimum 2 people possibly on November next year could you also tell me what sort of temperature you can expect.
Kind regards Vikki
Hi Vikki, we’ve replied to you directly.
Claire from In The Saddle.