est.1990
Ants Nest
Ants Nest

Ant's Nest Safari Lodge

Ant’s Nest is one of the best places in Africa for a family safari, purpose built for families with children ranging from the very young through to teenage years. You’ll be hosted by Ant and Tessa Baber, who exude warm hospitality and have vast experience of conducting safaris for people of all ages in this pristine wilderness environment. Ant’s Nest is one of the best places in Africa for a family safari, purpose built for families with children ranging from the very young through to teenage years. You’ll be hosted by Ant and Tessa Baber, who exude warm hospitality and have vast experience of conducting safaris for people of all ages in this pristine wilderness environment.
Ant’s Nest is one of the best places in Africa for a family safari, purpose built for families with children ranging from the very young through to teenage years. You’ll be hosted by Ant and Tessa Baber, who exude warm hospitality and have vast experience of conducting safaris for people of all ages in this pristine wilderness environment. Ant’s Nest is one of the best places in Africa for a family safari, purpose built for families with children ranging from the very young through to teenage years. You’ll be hosted by Ant and Tessa Baber, who exude warm hospitality and have vast experience of conducting safaris for people of all ages in this pristine wilderness environment.
Ants Nest Public Areas 14

Location

The lodge is located in the malaria free Waterberg Game Reserve north of Johannesburg (three hours by road or forty five minutes by private plane) and is surrounded by stunningly beautiful country with hills, forests, areas of open savannah and rivers.

The Waterberg supports a wide variety of wildlife of all shapes and sizes and one minute you will be admiring a long necked giraffe, while around the corner a prehistoric looking rhinoceros will wander by with its impressive horns. There are many antelope, zebra, wildebeest and fascinating smaller creatures such as baboon and little families of warthogs, as well as hundreds of species of birds.
Ants Nest Sable Suite 4

The Perfect Family Retreat

The experience here is private—the lodge accommodates just twelve people at a time. The two-story thatched homestead has six spacious bedrooms, each with en suites. The Sable Suite upstairs features two adjoining bedrooms, perfect for parents with small children.

Downstairs is a communal lounge and dining space, comfortably furnished with hand-carved furniture, lots of plush cushions, and a log fire for cooler evenings. Outside is a lawned area and a heated fifteen metre swimming pool, both great spots for little ones to play.

By taking the entire place exclusively, every family need is catered to, including the timing and variety of safari activities, menus and excursions further afield.
Ants Nest Weaver Suite Bedroom Interior
Dining Room Ants Nest Waterberg South Africa
Ants Nest Lounge Waterberg South Africa
Game Drives Ants Rhino Waterberg

Enriching Experiences

Ant and Tessa guide a very wide range of safari activities. An open-sided safari vehicle is best to see the largest numbers of animals. For a fresh and enriching perspective, try a walking safari, enabling you to put Africa 'under the microscope'.

Your guide will teach you the medicinal uses of plants, how to identify animals based on tracks and dung, and even show you how a column of army ants can raid and decimate a six foot tall termite mound.
Ants Activity Archery Guide Child
Family Safaris Children Giraffee Ants Waterberg South Africa
Ants Snake Talk
Children Horse Riding Ants

Riding for All Ages

Ant’s Nest has a herd of over 90 well-schooled horses, so there’s a mount here for riders of all levels. The horses here are unique, living and grazing in the bush amongst zebra, giraffe and antelope — this gives them the perfect temperament for even the youngest riders to enjoy a horseback safari.

The focus at Ant’s is on safety and every ride is accompanied by two guides. Enthusiastic riders can choose to take two rides per day, trotting through the wild alongside buffalo, eland, sable and even rhinoceros.
Family Safaris Horse Riding Dad Girl Ants Waterberg
Riding Safaris At Ants Zebra Close Up
Riding Safaris At Ants Teens
Big 5 Game Drive Safari Lion Ants Waterberg

Meeting the Big Five

One of the reasons that this place is particularly suitable for young children is that the Waterberg area does not have big cats or elephants. However if you’re keen to spot all of the Big Five, you have the option to enjoy an excursion to the neighbouring Kaingo Reserve for part or all of the day.

At Kaingo, the terrain is different with a wider variety of animals, including lion and leopard, elephant, herds of buffalo and many other species.
Game Drives At Ants 31
Blesok Ss
Cycling Girl Rhino Baby Ants Collection Waterberg
Luxury family holidays tailored to you
Have Us Take Care Of It All
Why Travel with Journeysmiths

We are a boutique family travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.We are a boutique family travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.

Looking for Inspiration?
Main Lodge Pool With Elephant Mhondoro Safari Lodge The Waterberg
Main Lodge Pool With Elephant Mhondoro Safari Lodge The Waterberg
South Africa Trip Idea
Malaria Free Safari in South Africa

The only country able to offer malaria-free safaris, South Africa is a wonderful choice for many looking for a luxury safari experience. Enjoy the abundance of wildlife on offer in some of the most exclusive private reserves, before exploring cosmopolitan Cape Town, where the glamour of the city meets the rugged outdoors.

Read moreMalaria Free Safari in South Africa
Table Mountan Hike Cape Town Istock 1216765189
Table Mountan Hike Cape Town Istock 1216765189
Family Trip Idea
South Africa Family Safari

See the splendour of South Africa as a family on this exclusive safari. Spend your days exploring captivating Cape Town, enjoying the delights of the Winelands and on safari, seeking out the abundant wildlife that roams the wilderness. No matter your age, this iconic safari will leave you with memories for a lifetime.

Read moreSouth Africa Family Safari
Victoria And Alfred Waterfront Cape Town Istock 1556500564
Victoria And Alfred Waterfront Cape Town Istock 1556500564
Article
Top 10 South African Activities

With opportunities to see the Big Five of both land and sea, along with incredible scenery, enormous national parks, world-class vineyards, a fascinating history and vibrant, friendly people, South Africa frequently tops the lists of the world’s best holiday destinations. Even so, less than 1% of the world's travellers make it here, so it’s a place where you’ll find yourself with a few select, like-minded and discerning adventurers who have discovered this gem of a country. It’s a place you could return to for the whole of your life and never tire of it.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.

Read moreTop 10 South African Activities
Chitwa Chitwa Activities And Wildlife Family Walking Across From Elephants South Africa
Chitwa Chitwa Activities And Wildlife Family Walking Across From Elephants South Africa
Article
South Africa Family Safaris

If you’re looking for a country that’s got everything, choose South Africa. Renowned for the spectacular views of the Garden Route, vibrant Cape Town, malaria free safaris, fascinating history and outstanding wildlife, the whole family will fall under the alluring spell of this diverse country.

Read moreSouth Africa Family Safaris
Colourful Houses Bo Kapp Capte Townjpg
Colourful Houses Bo Kapp Capte Townjpg
Article
The Rainbow Nation South Africa

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the first person to call South Africa “the rainbow nation”. It’s a reflection on the fascinating diversity of this country, not only in the identities of its people but in the landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and activities it offers. South Africa is a country which, because of its variety, can be all things to all people, truly a rainbow of varied opportunities and experiences.

Read moreThe Rainbow Nation South Africa
Deck Woman Royal Madikwe Safari Lodge
Deck Woman Royal Madikwe Safari Lodge
Article
Luxury and the Big Five
in South Africa

Without a shadow of a doubt, South Africa is one of the very best places to watch wildlife in the world. The Kruger National Park — a protected area the size of Wales — is certainly the most famous and popular safari destination, but with Journeysmiths you’ll escape the crowds to explore vast, wildlife-filled private reserves, in the company of the best guides.

Read moreLuxury and the Big Five in South Africa
Victoria And Alfred Waterfront Cape Town Istock 1556500564
Victoria And Alfred Waterfront Cape Town Istock 1556500564
Article
Magnificent Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the world’s great cities with a unique setting beneath Table Mountain.

Read moreMagnificent Cape Town
Beach Walk Grootbos Forest Lodge Relation
Beach Walk Grootbos Forest Lodge Relation
Article
Explore The Garden Route South Africa

To experience a little bit of everything that South Africa has to offer, you can hardly do better than to drive along the coastal road of the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It’s an extraordinary journey, and there’s wildlife on both land and shore, endless beaches, historic battlefields, and the vineyards are never far away. One day you might be whale spotting at Hermanus — renowned as one of the best whale watching locations in the world — and the next you could be learning about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, handling antique weapons and scrambling over the British and Zulu positions.

Read moreExplore The Garden Route South Africa
Isandlwana Grave Stones Hr
Isandlwana Grave Stones Hr
Article
Battlefields And Culture South Africa

Formerly the Zulu Kingdom, the province of KwaZulu Natal runs along South Africa’s dramatic Indian Ocean coastline. The Drakensberg Mountains create a natural border between Lesotho and the Eastern Cape, and offer some excellent hiking routes.

Read moreBattlefields And Culture South Africa
Kids On Safari With Binoculars Ss
Kids On Safari With Binoculars Ss
Article
What to Do in South Africa with Children?

For families of all ages there is so much to see and do in South Africa, making it an excellent and diverse travel destination. We’ve chosen 20 of the best experiences to immerse you in the culture, wildlife and beautiful places of this remarkable country.

Read moreWhat to Do in South Africa with Children?
Lion Cubs In Kruger Singita 19138
Lion Cubs In Kruger Singita 19138
Article
Why South Africa Is Great For A Family Safari

South Africa is an excellent choice for family travel with children of all ages. Its wildlife is abundant, with a great diversity of species, including the Big Five: rhino, leopard, lion, elephant and buffalo. There are vast malaria-free reserves and it’s easy to get from safari regions to Cape Town and the beach.

Read moreWhy South Africa Is Great For A Family Safari
Care For Wild Rhino Up Close
Care For Wild Rhino Up Close
Curated Conservation Experience
Go Behind the Scenes at
Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary

Working in partnership with globally recognised conservation organisation; Care for Wild, the world’s largest rhino orphanage, we have curated a truly unique and exclusive experience giving a privileged few behind-the-scenes access to this otherwise incredibly private sanctuary.

Read moreGo Behind the Scenes at Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary
Load more
Occasional round-up of the best wild places, unique experiences and expert travel tips straight to your inbox.
Keep the Inspiration Flowing