THE DETAILS
(Almost) everything you need to know about getting here + staying here
BY ROAD OR AIR
Private road transfers or air charters between any destination and Ant Africa Safaris can be easily arranged. If you fly commercially to Johannesburg International Airport (OR Tambo), it will take about 2.5/3 hours by car (your own or a private transfer with us) or just 45 minutes by private air charter.
If you are renting your own car, check out the directions below and contact us if you need any further help!
AIRSTRIP
S 24 04.871’ | E 028 02.310’
Length: 1000m Sand
RWY: 03/21 Land rwy 03, takeoff rwy 21 when possible.
All circuits to be flown to the East of the strip.
Please *DO NOT* fly NW of the strip.
ROAD DIRECTIONS
select where your journey starts...
from johannesburg | pretoria
from Johannesburg/Pretoria take the N1 north. Once on the N1 you will go through the outskirts of Pretoria and you will continue for at least 60-80 minutes.
At the third toll station (this is known as the Kranskop Toll gate) ensure you are in the very left lane as you will be exiting the highway here. Turn left towards Nylstroom / Modimolle on R33.
Drive straight on this road through Nylstroom/Modimolle and continue for 60kms to Vaalwater.
Once in Vaalwater keep driving straight, there is a Total Garage and Spar on your left, take the road right on the R33 towards Ellisras / Lephalale.
from or tambo international airport
Take R21 to Pretoria.
After about 15 -20 minutes you will see an off ramp that says Pretoria East/Pietersburg (now called Polokwane) N1, take this off ramp and continue on the N1 north.
select where your journey ends...
to ant's hill
On the N1, through Pretoria + continue for 60-80 minutes. At the third toll station (Kranskop Toll) ensure you are in the very left lane as you will be exiting the highway here. Turn left towards Nylstroom / Modimolle on R33.
Drive straight through Nylstroom and continue for 60km to Vaalwater.
In Vaalwater keep driving straight, past Total Garage + Spar on your left, take the road right on the R33 towards Ellisras / Lephalale.
On the R33 travel for about 19 km until you see a sign hanging on two tree trunks marked Ant’s Hill, by a green automated gate on your right hand side. Turn right at this gate.
DO NOT FOLLOW SIGNS TO ANT’S NEST, WHICH YOU WILL SEE BEFORE GETTING TO THE ANT’S HILL SIGN
Call (or text) one of the numbers on the green signboard near the gate keypad + we’ll open for you.
Go straight on the dirt road until you see a thatched entrance, which is marked Ant’s Hill. Follow the instructions on the signboards.
You are now in the reserve! Please follow the signs to the lodge which is about 3-4 kms from the entrance.
to ant's nest
Follow the R33 for 11kms – take right hand turn down the road which says to Dorset. This is a gravel road and signposted Ant’s Nest
Follow this for 10.5 kms, then on the left you will see a sign for Ant’s Nest, where there is a thatched entrance. (Please DO NOT enter through our service gate which is roughly 300m before Ant’s Nest main gate as this is not signposted to the lodge).
Open the gate and follow the road for about 3kms down into the valley and to the lodge. There are signs indicating the whole way!
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.
ROAD DIRECTIONS
select where your journey starts...
from johannesburg | pretoria
from Johannesburg/Pretoria take the N1 north. Once on the N1 you will go through the outskirts of Pretoria and you will continue for at least 60-80 minutes.
At the third toll station (this is known as the Kranskop Toll gate) ensure you are in the very left lane as you will be exiting the highway here. Turn left towards Nylstroom / Modimolle on R33.
Drive straight on this road through Nylstroom/Modimolle and continue for 60kms to Vaalwater.
Once in Vaalwater keep driving straight, there is a Total Garage and Spar on your left, take the road right on the R33 towards Ellisras / Lephalale.
from or tambo international airport
Take R21 to Pretoria.
After about 15 -20 minutes you will see an off ramp that says Pretoria East/Pietersburg (now called Polokwane) N1, take this off ramp and continue on the N1 north.
select where your journey ends...
to ant's hill
On the N1, through Pretoria + continue for 60-80 minutes. At the third toll station (Kranskop Toll) ensure you are in the very left lane as you will be exiting the highway here. Turn left towards Nylstroom / Modimolle on R33.
Drive straight through Nylstroom and continue for 60km to Vaalwater.
In Vaalwater keep driving straight, past Total Garage + Spar on your left, take the road right on the R33 towards Ellisras / Lephalale.
On the R33 travel for about 19 km until you see a sign hanging on two tree trunks marked Ant’s Hill, by a green automated gate on your right hand side. Turn right at this gate.
DO NOT FOLLOW SIGNS TO ANT’S NEST, WHICH YOU WILL SEE BEFORE GETTING TO THE ANT’S HILL SIGN
Call (or text) one of the numbers on the green signboard near the gate keypad + we’ll open for you.
Go straight on the dirt road until you see a thatched entrance, which is marked Ant’s Hill. Follow the instructions on the signboards.
You are now in the reserve! Please follow the signs to the lodge which is about 3-4 kms from the entrance.
to ant's nest
Follow the R33 for 11kms – take right hand turn down the road which says to Dorset. This is a gravel road and signposted Ant’s Nest
Follow this for 10.5 kms, then on the left you will see a sign for Ant’s Nest, where there is a thatched entrance. (Please DO NOT enter through our service gate which is roughly 300m before Ant’s Nest main gate as this is not signposted to the lodge).
Open the gate and follow the road for about 3kms down into the valley and to the lodge. There are signs indicating the whole way!
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.
THE RESERVE
The reserve is situated on an escarpment looking out over the Waterberg Plateau in the Limpopo Province, 3 hours north of OR Tambo International Airport (formally known as Johannesburg International Airport) We are 4 hours east of Madikwe and 6-7 hours west of the Kruger National Park.
THE 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 thunderstorms in the evenings but these rarely affect activities.
AUTUMN
April to May
Days can still be quite warm as summer leads into winter, but the evenings cool down considerably. The average day time temperature is from 22-28 degrees with evenings around 10-15 degrees.
WINTER
June to August
Days are warm (temperatures in the mid-20s) with evenings and early mornings very cold, the average early morning temperatures 5-12 degrees. It very rarely rains at this time when the bush is golden and dry.
SPRING
September to October
The days start getting hotter, however evenings and mornings can still be quite crisp but not as cold. A very slim chance of rain is possible and on occasion, we can get very hot days!
GAME LIST
WHITE RHINO
BUFFALO
SABLE ANTELOPE
ROAN ANTELOPE
KUDU
LIVINGSTONE ELAND
WATERBUCK
IMPALA
BLESBOK
ZEBRA
GIRAFFE
WARTHOG
BLUE WILDEBEEST
RED HARTEBEEST
ORYX
STEENBOK
MOUNTAIN REEDBUCK
BUSHBUCK + NYALA
MONGOOSE
VERVET MONKEY
DUIKER
BLACK BACKED JACKAL
SCRUB HARE
SPRINGHARE
LESSER BUSH BABY
ROCK HYRAXES
CHACMA BABOON
Sometimes we spot nocturnal species too
LEOPARD
CARACAL
BROWN HYENA
AARDVARK
BAT EARED FOX
BUSH PIG
STRIPED POLECAT
PORCUPINE
HONEY BADGER
SERVAL CAT
AFRICAN CIVET
GENET
WILD CAT
KLIPSRINGER
*PLEASE CONTACT US FOR AN UP TO DATE BIRD LIST*
LUGGAGE & PACKING LIST
Please make sure to lock all of your bags when travelling and obtain travel insurance prior to departure (you will not be able to ride without it). 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.
SUNGLASSES
SUN CREAM
HAT
SWIMSUIT
BINOCULARS
CAMERA
PERSONAL MEDICATIONS
NEUTRAL BUSH COLOURED CLOTHING
SHORTS
TROUSERS
SHIRTS
LIGHT RAIN JACKET
WARM FLEECE/JACKET
WALKING SHOES/BOOTS
RIDING CLOTHES
RIDING BOOTS
RIDING GLOVES
BUMNAH (FOR THE SADDLE)
HELMET
CHAPS
*helmets are compulsory + available at both lodges*
*chaps + bumnahs are available for purchase*
*If you book a private charter flight, please be aware that the luggage restrictions are normally between 12-20kg and soft bags should be used*
MEDICAL NOTES
The Waterberg is one of the safest places to visit in Africa since we have excellent local doctors with one of the country’s leading pediatricians living nearby. However, it is still essential that anyone visiting us has full travel and medical insurance.
VACCINATIONS
You’ll likely be up to date on your childhood & routine vaccinations (measles, polio etc) but it is often recommended by travel & health authorities to ensure that you are current on Tetanus and Hepatitis A & B injections and you may wish to also update your typhoid & flu shot.
EMERGENCIES
Both Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill riding safaris have a number of staff trained as First Responders, however it is vital to have full travel and medical insurances for emergencies. Most hospitals and air rescue will require upfront payment.
TICK BITE FEVER
Tick bite fever can be contracted from pepper ticks year round, however more often in the summer. Symptoms can include – red spot or rash near the bite site, full body rash, neck stiffness, headache, nausea, weakness, muscle/joint pain or ache, fever/chills or swollen lymph nodes. Once home, if you have any of the above symptoms, please advise your local physician and ask them to test you for tick bite fever.
MALARIA
While there have been some isolated cases of malaria in our area, we are still considered a very low risk malaria area. Symptoms can include headache, muscle aches & chills, intermittent mild fever & general feeling of illness (flu-like symptoms). Once home, if you have any of the above symptoms, please advise your local physician get tested for malaria.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
Visas vary depending on your nationality but are not usually required for European and North American guests. However, please check with the lodge or your travel agent to confirm visa requirements.
Passports need to have 2 blank pages and be valid for a minimum of 6 months.
Minors travelling in and out of South Africa
Please Note: These are only guidelines and we suggest you confirm with the South African Consulate / Embassy, for up to date requirements.
YOUR STAY
To really experience all that Ant Africa Safaris has to offer, we recommend a stay of 4 to 7 nights – at one or a combination of both lodges!
INCLUDES
ALL MEALS
*lunch on arrival or departure*
ALL LOCAL DRINKS
*soft drinks, spirits, beers + house wines*
HORSE RIDING
GAME DRIVES + NIGHT DRIVES
WALKING SAFARIS
MOUNTAIN BIKING
*not suitable for kids 12 or younger*
RHINO TRACKING
FISHING
*seasonal*
BUG WALKS
BUSH LUNCHES + SUNDOWNERS
AIR RIFLES + ARCHERY
EXCLUDES
MASSAGES
NIGHT SKY SAFARIS
WINE TASTING
VISIT TO LOCAL CHILDREN’S HOME
BIG 5 GAME DRIVE
*subject to availability, please note it’s on another game reserve*
SCENIC HELICOPTER FLIGHTS
RIDING LESSONS
DAY TRIP TO BUSHMAN PAINTINGS
PREMIUM DRINKS
*cellar wines, premium spirits, liquors + champagne*
SHOP + CURIO PURCHASES
GRATUITIES
ANY EXTRA ACTIVITIES OFF THE PROPERTY
THE FACILITIES
WIFI @ BOTH LODGES
HEATED SWIMMING POOLS
LAUNDRY (INCLUDED)
HAIR DRYERS
LIMITED CELLULAR SIGNAL
SAFES
EVERYTHING ELSE
All the extra details you’ll want to know before getting here and enjoying your stay.
MEALS
At Ant’s Riding Safaris we combine fine dining with scrumptious home cooking and are able to cater for all dietary requirements. Just advise us in advance if you have allergies or special dietary needs!
WATER
The water at both lodges is filtered and perfectly safe to drink, directly from the taps. We also have water coolers at the main dining areas for those who want to put colder water into their reusable bottles.
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 your horse safari. We do stock English and European adapters.
CHILDREN
We welcome children of all ages at Ant’s Riding Safaris and even have a variety of activities to keep them entertained during their stay.
GRATUITIES
Tipping is not required at any of the lodges, but if you feel the service was outstanding, we do have a guideline in the room information.
CHECK IN & OUT
You are welcome to arrive earlier and in time for lunch, but we can’t guarantee that your room will be ready prior to 14H00. Likewise, you can have lunch with us on departure and depart as late as 16H00 but we cannot guarantee being able to offer you a day room.
Lunch is included either on arrival OR departure. For an extra lunch we charge ZAR 250 per person.
CHECK IN
14H00
(2:00PM)
CHECK OUT
11H00
(11:00AM)
