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horseback safari

Oct 13 2020
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wildlife safari on horseback

Tips for taking photos from horseback

By The Ant's Experience
[:en]

Anybody who has ever tried to take a photograph while horse riding will know that it is no easy feat.

At Ant’s Nest and Ant’ Hill Bush Homes, we see our guests often struggling with this “problem” while out on our horseback safari activities. It’s a tricky one. On the one hand, you want to be able to capture your adventures and experiences but on the other hand, you don’t want to spend your entire ride worried about camera equipment or taking a tumble off your steed while being distracted by getting that perfect shot. Unfortunately, there is no absolute solution to this, and photographing from horseback is always going to provide its challenges, however, there are a few things you can do to get it right.

Here are 3 tips for taking photos from horseback:

Tip 1 – Horse and Rider Safety
Safety always comes first. When photographing from horseback, you need to be confident that you are completely in control of your horse and your balance. You need to be able to anticipate and prepare for movements your horse might make while you are retrieving and using your camera. Holding reins, keeping a horse still and operating a camera all at once really takes multi-tasking to a new level.

Tip 2 – Only take what you need
Most places that offer horse riding, including Ants, don’t allow riders to wear backpacks as they could create a potential hazard to the horse and rider. This means storage space is limited to a waist pouch or saddlebag. If you can get away with carrying an iPhone or small point-and-click, this is first prize. Your photos won’t be billboard quality but they’ll do the trick and it means that you don’t have to carry bulky equipment. If you really want to take your DSLR, choose a versatile lens as there won’t be space to store an extra one or time to switch between lenses from your perch on your pony, in mid canter.

Tip 3 – Make sure your camera is secure and accessible
Don’t drop your camera! Not only will it most likely break, but it might spook the horses and could cause an accident. When riding with a camera, make sure that the camera is secured to either you or the saddle either via a strong lanyard or neck strap. Lens caps also need to be secured or ditched altogether. They are too fiddly and easy to drop. Rather keep a soft cloth in the bag to prevent the lens from getting scratched.

horseback safari in south africa

It’s a wonder how anybody has ever managed to get a good photo while horse riding. But it can be done. Just make sure to enjoy the horseback safari experience to its full and don’t miss out on the setting and freedom feeling because you were too preoccupied with getting that shot.[:]

Jul 14 2020
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New Kids on the Block at Ants

By Horses, Rhinos
[:en]

As the lockdown continues in South Africa, we find ourselves missing our guests more and more with each day.

Luckily, life in the bush is never boring and there’s always something going on to distract us.  We are still eagerly awaiting the moment when we can reopen our doors and welcome guests back, but while we wait for that day to arrive, we’ll continue to share with you what has been happening in the reserve.

We have had two new and exciting additions join the Ants family recently!

Firstly, Sophie the Rhino gave birth to a healthy bull calf, Dinka, about 3 weeks ago. This is great news for our rhino herd, and the team, especially after having lost two of our eldest rhino’s (Erwin and Skewhorn) during this lockdown period. It has been great welcoming this new little chap into the world. Sophie is still keeping him well protected from the other rhinos and us, so it can be tricky to get a sneak peek, but both are doing very well.

Secondly, a new project we are quite excited about, is breeding some of the best safari horses in South Africa. Our first arrival was on 12 July, a little filly foal born from Lydia, who was born and bred at Ants, and Pemba, the sire, also born here and only turns 3 years old in August. The little foal is a Warmblood x Friesian x Boerperd. With those good genes, we’re certain she’s going to make the perfect safari horse!

We now suspect Pemba managed to cover a few more mares while he was running with the herd, before he was separated and put in a separate area, so watch this space. We now have two lovely thoroughbred mares in with him who we are hoping will produce some beautiful foals next year. This is a very exciting project for us and in a few years from now, we hope to have our own string of well-bred and adapted safari horses.

Buffalo Abound

With over 70 buffalo in our main herd on the reserve and our breeding project doing so well in producing new genetics, it has come a time where we need to sell a number of cows and bulls to continue to diversify the gene pool. We are selling 16 buffalo to a neighbouring reserve who are looking to expand their genetics.

The capture and relocation of these incredible animals is no small task and will take place over a weeklong period in July. All hands will be on deck/on horseback and vehicles to safely dart, load, and move the buffalo into a boma where they will be tested for the 4 diseases (foot and mouth, brucelliosis, Corridor disease and TB) to ensure they are disease-free before moving them to their new home.

They will stay in the boma for a quarantine period before having to dart them again and relocate them. It will be like a mini game census, which seeing as Game Census 2020 had to be cancelled due to COVID 19, the staff are quite excited to take part in it and it will be good practice so we are ready for Game Census 2021!

Find out more about our annual Game Census that guests can partake in here: https://waterberg.net/safari-experiences/#census[:]

Jan 17 2020
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horseback safari south africa

A Horse-Rider’s Holiday of a Lifetime at Ant’s Hill

By The Ant's Experience
[:en]Combining the exhilaration of exploring the untamed African bush, with the thrill of doing something that you love, a horseback safari should be on every horse-lovers bucket list.

While riding in the wild is an incredible experience for both novice and experienced riders alike, nothing quite beats a long gallop across an open plain with the wind in your hair and sun in your face. It’s horse riding in its rawest, truest form.

Avid horse-riders, Lauren Bartholomew and her mum have been wanting to do a riding holiday for a while. Having heard about Ant’s Hill through In The Saddle, they decided to give it a go and were definitely not disappointed. Lauren shares a little more about her experiences at Ant’s Hill, which she calls ‘the holiday of a lifetime’:

“We wanted to do a riding holiday in South Africa that would have an adaptable itinerary in centrally based luxury accommodation and Ants fit the bill best. All of the reviews were positive which also helped our decision. It was our first trip to South Africa. I have been to Uganda before, and it has been a dream of my mum’s for a long time to visit Africa too.

horse riding safari waterbergOne of my favourite things about staying at Ant’s Hill was the friendly staff who ate meals with us and had so many interesting stories to tell. It made us feel like we were among friends. The riding was also obviously a favourite, especially when we were able to take part in a ‘fast and furious’ capture of a kudu for conservation purposes. It was great to see what actually goes in to obtaining the animals and then seeing one released afterwards was very special.

We were also able to feed the white rhino. It was magical to see these rare animals at such close range and even to touch them. In terms of the game we saw whilst riding, the giraffes were fabulous and they towered above the horses. I was also so thrilled that we got a chance to swim the horses as that is something I’d always wanted to do.

The views from Eagles Nest in the Hill were breath-taking and we were made to feel welcome and included from the moment that we arrived. The atmosphere was relaxed and we really liked the flexible approach to the itinerary. No two days were ever the same and we never rode the same route.

The chef was accommodating with my picky eating and you hardly went a few hours without food being on offer. The horses were great – responsive and forward going. My favourite was Masai and my mum’s was Madikwe. My mum was also very happy to have someone else do her washing! We would love to come back one day and I can see why you have a lot of repeat customers.”

[:de]A horse-rider’s holiday of a lifetime at Ant’s Hill
Combining the exhilaration of exploring the untamed African bush, with the thrill of doing something that you love, a horseback safari should be on every horse-lovers bucket list. While riding in the wild is an incredible experience for both novice and experienced riders alike, nothing quite beats a long gallop across an open plain with the wind in your hair and sun in your face. It’s horse riding in its rawest, truest form.
Avid horse-riders, Lauren Bartholomew and her mum have been wanting to do a riding holiday for a while. Having heard about Ant’s Hill through In The Saddle, they decided to give it a go and were definitely not disappointed. Lauren shares a little more about her experiences at Ant’s Hill, which she calls ‘the holiday of a lifetime’:
“We wanted to do a riding holiday in South Africa that would have an adaptable itinerary in centrally based luxury accommodation and Ants fit the bill best. All of the reviews were positive which also helped our decision. It was our first trip to South Africa. I have been to Uganda before, and it has been a dream of my mum’s for a long time to visit Africa too.

One of my favourite things about staying at Ant’s Hill was the friendly staff who ate meals with us and had so many interesting stories to tell. It made us feel like we were among friends. The riding was also obviously a favourite, especially when we were able to take part in a ‘fast and furious’ capture of a kudu for conservation purposes. It was great to see what actually goes in to obtaining the animals and then seeing one released afterwards was very special.

We were also able to feed the white rhino. It was magical to see these rare animals at such close range and even to touch them. In terms of game we saw whilst riding, the giraffes were fabulous and they towered above the horses. I was also so thrilled that we got chance to swim the horses as that is something I’d always wanted to do.

The views from Eagles Nest in the Hill were breath-taking and we were made to feel welcome and included from the moment that we arrived. The atmosphere was relaxed and we really liked the flexible approach to the itinerary. No two days were ever the same and we never rode the same route.

The chef was accommodating with my picky eating and you hardly went a few hours without food being on offer. The horses were great – responsive and forward going. My favourite was Masai and my mum’s was Madikwe. My mum was also very happy to have someone else do her washing! We would love to come back one day and I can see why you have a lot of repeat customers.”
[:]

Sep 19 2019
Love0

Chomping at the Bit for a Horseback Safari

By The Ant's Experience
[:en]

“The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact
with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and freedom.”
~ Sharon Ralls Lemon

There are many ways to experience the African bush, but few are quite as intimate, and simultaneously exhilarating, as a horseback safari. It is a unique experience that bridges the gap between man and nature.

Here are 10 reason swap four-wheeled safaris for four-legged adventures and discover Africa from horseback:

1. Horseback safaris are quiet and unobtrusive, allowing riders to get very close to wildlife without disturbing them.

2. Unlike game vehicles, horseback safaris are eco-friendly and do not contribute to noise and fume pollution in wilderness areas.

3. Being on horseback gives you more freedom to explore areas of the bush that are inaccessible by vehicle.

4. The photo opportunities are Instagram-worthy!

5. The pace is slower, allowing you to appreciate all the little aspects that are usually missed in a vehicle.

6. Sundowner rides in the afternoon are a truly spectacular way to wind down after a day in the bush.

7. Horseback safaris give you the opportunity to become a part of nature’s ‘play’, rather than just part of the audience.

8. The guides are excellent and passionate about their jobs.

9. You don’t need to be an experienced rider to take part as the horse are very well trained and the guides are always there to assist.

10. It’s more fun than sitting in a game vehicle!

So what are you waiting for? Book your stay with us and come and experience the horseback safari of a lifetime![:de]Chomping at the Bit for a Horseback Safari
“The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact
with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit and freedom.”
~ Sharon Ralls Lemon

There are many ways to experience the African bush, but few are quite as intimate, and simultaneously exhilarating, as a horseback safari. It is a unique experience that bridges the gap between man and nature.

Here are 10 reason swap four-wheeled safaris for four-legged adventures and discover Africa from horseback:

1. Horseback safaris are quiet and unobtrusive, allowing riders to get very close to wildlife without disturbing them.

2. Unlike game vehicles, horseback safaris are ecofriendly and do not contribute to noise and fume pollution in wilderness areas.

3. Being on horseback gives you more freedom to explore areas of the bush that are inaccessible by vehicle.

4. The photo opportunities are Instagram-worthy!

5. The pace is slower, allowing you to appreciate all the little aspects that are usually missed in a vehicle.

6. Sundowner rides in the afternoon are a truly spectacular way to wind down after a day in the bush.

7. Horseback safaris give you the opportunity to become a part of nature’s ‘play’, rather than just part of the audience.

8. The guides are excellent and passionate about their jobs.

9. You don’t need to be an experienced rider to take part as the horse are very well trained and the guides are always there to assist.

10. It’s more fun than sitting in a game vehicle!

[:]
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