Facilities & Services

Please note: these are inclusive in price unless otherwise stated.

• Pool: Heated swimming pools with comfortable amenities and views, for cooling off between activities.
• Horse Riding: Probably the best way to see the beautiful Reserve, enabling you to get very close to the wildlife. Horses to suit all abilities and ages, from schooled thoroughbreds to tough bush ponies are available.
• Game Drives: 4 × 4 vehicles can also take you into the private reserve. Children of all ages can accompany parents to see the rhino, giraffe, zebra, wilderbeest and many types of antelope.
• Walking Safaris: Walks on foot are also available for guests of all ages wishing to have more time to explore the diverse terrain, animal tracks, flora and fauna.
• Guided visits: Excursions to Big Five Game Reserves and other interesting areas such as archaeological sites are available at an additional charge.

Bars & Restaurants

• A variety of atmospheric dining areas provide venues for eating and drinking, when you will be joined by your gracious hosts.
• If you exclusively book one of the lodges, special requests can be catered for!
• Picnics are also arranged within the Reserve.

Overview

The flexibility of both activity choices and accommodation ensures a magical retreat for families. We highly recommend a stay here, especially in conjunction with a ‘Big Five’ safari in Madikwe.

Looking after younger guests

• The greatest facility for children will be the African Bush on their doorstep!
• Trampolines / badminton and toys and games available for use between activities at both Lodges.

Children’s Meals

Bespoke Meals available on request.

Babysitting & Supervised activities

• Babysitting: In-house staff providing baby-sitting services.
• Supervised Activities: The rangers will take children of all ages out to explore the African Bush. From making a fire, changing a wheel on a tractor, to bug collection and identification, even Rhino transportation for the brave, guests both young and old will be enthralled!

Safety

• Animals: The Reserves are not home to big cats or elephants and so is safe for children and adults alike to roam unfenced!
• Water: The Swimming pool at each lodge is the only deep water on the site.
• Height: There is some open ballustrading at Ant’s Hill and although the height generates simply stunning views, generally we recommend Ant’s Nest for those with crawlers or toddlers.

Rooms types

Ant’s Nest is booked on an exclusive-use basis during the school holidays. At other times, as at Ant’s Hill, the Lodges are booked on a sharing basis with generally a maximum of 12 guests at any one time.

From private Honeymoon Suites to extensive Family accommodation, both lodges, decorated with African flair, offer unique and very comfortable accommodation.

Family

• A new family cottage at Ant’s Hill is now available! One double en-suite room with own verandah upstairs, and one twin/triple en-suite room downstairs with outdoor shower, fireplace in lounge, downstairs verandah and it’s own swimming pool!
• Ant’s Nest now has a Family House able to accommodate up to 8 guests together (or 2 adults and 2 children upstairs / downstairs if on a sharing basis), plus additional suites ideal for friends or grandparents travelling too.
• The Family Suite at Ant’s Hill incorporates 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms alongside a sitting room with deck offering the most magnificent views.
• 2 Family Rooms can also accommodate up to 2 children sharing on bunk beds / additional beds.

Rates

Rates from £221 per night per adult sharing, inclusive of all meals and activities (valid at Ant’s Nest in the downstairs rooms from 15/12/11 – 14/12/12) Rates do vary as they depend on the season.

Family

• Child under 2 years charged £95 to include babysitting.
• Children aged 3 – 11 years charged from £142.

Special Offers

6 night plus rate of £270 per adult at both Lodges / all rooms valid year round excluding Christmas, Easter and Summer Holidays.

Note: Please enquire for rates for different Room Types and Seasons and we will compile a detailed quotation for your stay.

Since the land has been used as a Private Game Reserve and Lodge accommodation, Tessa and Ant Baber have been able to employ and train a far greater number of local people than in its previous days as a cattle farm. Local projects supported include the Waterberg Academy (the local school) and a local Christian charity which raises awareness about HIV and Aids.

How I sent my children wild in South Africa

Rosie Millard travelled with her 4 children for The Times. Click here to read the full feature.

My family and other animals: Taking children on safari

Helen Truszkowski went looking for safety and luxury but with excitement for her family for the Independent on Sunday. Click here if you’d like to read her full feature about safari in the North West.

Fun and Game

Respected travel journalist Will Gray took his 7 year old twins on a safari adventure to Madikwe and Waterberg in the North West. Download his delightful review in the Sunday Times Travel Magazine below (4 pages).

• STTM NW Safari Feature – Page 1
• STTM NW Safari Feature – Page 2
• STTM NW Safari Feature – Page 3
• STTM NW Safari Feature – Page 4