Waterberg Retreat, South Africa
Horses
Type of horses:
The horses range from big strong forward going thoroughbreds, tough African Boerperd, exciting crossbreeds and reliable children's ponies.
Nature of horses:
Forward going, strong, reliable, good natured.
Height of horses:
13.2 - 17 hh
Weight limit:
120 kg (19 stone)
Tack type:
Maclelan saddles, made locally and based on the famous old US cavalry saddles, designed for the comfort of both horse and rider alike. A few English saddles are available.
Weather
Current Conditions:
Fair, 27 C
Forecast:
Fri - Sunny. High: 27 Low: 18
Sat - Mostly Sunny. High: 27 Low: 16
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
Luxury Tailor-Made Programme
Special rate: £230 pppn, from 15 October - 31 March based on a min of six nights and double occupancy. Also limited availability for single travellers without an extra supplement charge. Valid until 31 March 2010 but excludes Christmas, New Year (21 Dec - 8 Jan) and Easter.
Ant's Nest:
High Season: 1 December - 18 April 2010; 8 July - 30 November 2010.
- Adults Sharing £319 per night, single supplements may apply, please contact the office.
- Children under 11 years in own room (min 2 pax) £213 per night - Child sharing room with parents- 3rd bed: £155
- Children under 2 years £93 per night, (includes child minding)
- Single supplement (high season only): £173
Low Season: 19 April - 7 July 2010.
- Adults Sharing £248 per night, single supplement may apply, please contact office.
- Children under 11 years in own room (min 2 pax): £160
- Children sharing room with parents: £133 per night.
- Children under 2 years £93 per night, (includes child minding)
Ant's Hill:
High Season: 1 December - 18 April 2010; 8 July - 30 November 2010.
- Adults Sharing £319 per night, single supplements may apply, please contact the office.
- Children under 11 years in own room (min 2 pax) £213 per night - Child sharing room with parents- 3rd bed: £155
- Children under 2 years £93 per night, (includes child minding)
- Single supplement (high season only): £173
Low Season: 19 April - 7 July 2010.
- Adults Sharing £248 per night, single supplement may apply, please contact office.
- Children under 11 years in own room (min 2 pax): £160
- Children sharing room with parents: £133 per night.
- Children under 2 years £93 per night, (includes child minding)
Family Cottage: Rates as above except in the specified peak season dates below where the minimum rate is £1277 (combined nightly rate).
Note:
Each lodge can be booked on a non exclusive or exclusive basis but Ant's Nest must be booked exclusively during the following peak periods:- 11 Dec 2009 - 8 Jan 2010; 21 Mar - 18 Apr; 8 Jul -5 Sept, and 18 Oct - 4 Nov. please contact the office for further information.
Special group rates apply please contact office for details.
Romantic seven night safari
Price: £1801 per person for seven nights.
Road transfers:
Johannesburg to Ant’s, Ant’s to Garonga, Garonga to Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa airport: £330 per person.
You will only qualify for above rates if the complete package is booked as a combination of three and four nights at either one of the properties.
Included at Ant’s: accommodation, meals, all drinks (including house wines) activities (horse riding, game drives, game walks and mountain biking) and laundry
Excluded at Ant's: additional activities, curio purchases and massages
Included at Garonga’s: accommodation, meals, teas and coffees, all drinks (including house wines) game drives, game walks, bush bath, sleep out, picnics and laundry
Excluded at Garonga’s: massages, gate entrance fees, curio purchases and telephone calls, special wines and champagne, landing fees (if flying in)
Guests can also do a charter hop from Garonga to Kruger Mpumalanga airport should they wish to travel onwards to Mozambique – contact us for more information.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
These two unique bush homes, located on their own private game reserves in the beautiful and diverse Waterberg region, offer some of the most exciting and quality game viewing and horseback riding in South Africa. At an altitude of 4500 feet above sea level, this beautiful region offers a wonderful temperate climate and can be visited all year round.
Due to the varying topography and ecology across the reserves, the bush is teeming with an incredible variety of game species from rhino and buffalo to leggy giraffe, rare sable antelope, herds of eland, zebra, wildebeest, big spiral horned kudu to the fleet footed oryx just to mention but a few. There are 300 recorded bird species in the area to add to the exquisite variety of all forms of wildlife that the reserves support.
The horses that you ride live out and graze amongst the game on a daily basis, the thoroughbreds being stabled at night. This has allowed the game to become used to the horses, thus giving guests a unique opportunity of really getting in and amongst the various species whilst riding.
The riding pace on the horseback safaris can vary from galloping with giraffe and wildebeest to meandering along high rocky bluffs, watching the setting African sun, or quietly riding through a herd of grazing zebra or family of rhino. Both lodges are ideal, not just for the serious rider looking for a horse riding safari in South Africa, but also their non-riding companions or families. Each guest can do as much or as little horseriding as they wish and your hosts pride themselves on their flexibility to accommodate everyone's needs and wishes.
The concept your hosts strive for is to create a luxurious bush home experience where guests can become part of a working reserve and learn about the bush by being part of the setup and viewing it from horseback. Wake-up times, meals, activities etc. are all dictated by the guests as your hosts try hard to tailor make your stay.
At each lodge there are two dedicated and hardworking teams who endeavour to give each guest a memorable African riding experience. Rides are always guided by two professional local guides who add to the experience their infinite knowledge of the game, flora, tracks, natural medicines and love of the bush.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation is in two unique bush homes, located on their own private game reserves. Both lodges are uniquely designed to blend into the natural environment around them, yet they offer open spacious living areas with the exotic splash of bright colours from African fabrics and furnishings. Heated swimming pools, a delicious blend of local and international cuisine, al fresco dining, as well as relaxing full body massages round off the experience after a day of riding. Luxury en-suite bedrooms with spectacular bathrooms and decadent waterfall showers, deep sunken baths combined with wonderful African views add to the luxury.
Ant's Nest lies in a natural amphitheatre. Originally a derelict old ranch house, it was renovated in the mid nineties and the colonial homestead with its wide verandahs has a classic African atmosphere. The luxurious en-suite rooms accommodate a maximum of only 12 guests (6 bedrooms) and are furnished in a classic style using local fabrics, timber and stone. The 15 metre pool in the garden is heated all year round. Extensive lawns and beds of indigenous plants surround the pool and home and there is a wonderful thatched chill-out spot with vast sofa beds to relax on during the heat of the day. A wide variety of game frequents the waterhole in front of the house where horses and dogs abound.
Ant's Hill is situated on the edge of a cliff and offers breathtaking views across the Waterberg. With spacious rooms and vast folding doors, the thatched lodge blends into the bush while the exotic furniture and brightly coloured African fabrics make it both sophisticated and comfortable. The draped four-poster beds are seven foot wide and each bathroom is spectacular, offering guests sunken baths and waterfall showers. Set in boulders on the edge of the cliff, the swimming pool cascades over the lip of the gorge (also heated), inducing you to relax there for hours.
You can arrive and depart any day, staying as long as you wish. Each lodge can be booked at an adult and child rate on a non exclusive basis or alternatively booked exclusively for a private group. Please note that Ant's Nest must be booked on an exclusive basis at certain times when a minimum rate applies (please see pricing for dates and ask the office for rates).
The rooms consist of two privately appointed honeymoon cottages, one family cottage with a master bedroom and double or twin rooms each with their own bathroom and a third loft room with stunning views.
Your hosts take great pride in their sumptuous home cooking using a delicious blend of local and international cuisine, dining outside whenever possible under shady trees. Morning riding activities often end with a bush lunch, whilst at night you sit around open fires under the stars. Excellent South African estate wines are served and all dietary requirements can be catered for.
Activities
Both locations are ideal for not just the serious horse rider, but also their non riding companions or families. A wide range of other activities are available:
Guided Bush Walks
For those who prefer walking, guides are available to take you through the bushveld on foot. These walks are informative and interactive, enabling guests to gain knowledge of the flora, fauna and animals resident on the reserves. Learning to recognise tracks is great fun. Whilst these walks can be in the form of a gentle stroll, the more energetic can hike over the plains and down impressive gorges.
Game Drives
Guides are available to take guests out in an open 4x4 Land Cruiser either for a morning or afternoon game drive or using a spotlight at night to find exclusive nocturnal animals, such as the rare brown hyena, aardvark and porcupine.
Big Five Game Drives
Big 5 game drives are also available for an additonal charge.
Mountain Biking
Due to the terrain being incredibly diverse, it offers from the gentle meander to extreme technical cycling.
Clay Pigeon Shooting
For those wanting a bit more action you may wish to try out some target or clay pigeon shooting.
Massages
Whilst not travelling around you can lounge by the pool or enjoy a massage.
Weddings
Both bush homes make for a fabulous wedding venue and your hosts can tailor make your special day.
A selection of books are available and curio shops stock original, handmade crafts.
Further Details
Languages: English
Health requirements: None Specific
Age limit: None
Tuition: Yes
Included: Accommodation,meals, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, horseriding, activities on the reserve and laundry.
Not included: Flights, transfers, travel and medical insurance, massages, clay pigeon and target shooting, additional activities off the property and curio shop purchases.
Travel Information
Direct flights from the UK to Johannesburg can be booked with the following airlines:
London Gatwick to Johannesburg - Nationwide Airlines
London Heathrow to Johannesburg - British Airways, South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Indirect flights from a number of regional airports can be booked with KLM, Lufthansa and Air France.
Transfers will be arranged for you in accordance with your flights at an additional cost.
Airport: Johannesburg (JNB)
Programmes
Luxury Tailor-Made Programme
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Tailor made Itinerary A fantastic African safari experience, ideal not just for the serious rider but also for their non-riding companions and families, with tailor made luxury programmes offering activities for all. With a fine selection of fit, reliable and responsive horses, your hosts take great care in perfecting the match between the rider's ability and confidence to their preference in type and responsiveness of their mount. Rides vary in pace and duration according to the guests' desires and abilities. This can vary from galloping with giraffe and wildebeest to meandering along high rocky bluffs watching the setting African sun, or quietly riding through a herd of grazing zebra or family of rhino. The selection of reliable children's ponies enables the experience of incredible game viewing to be shared by all. For absolute beginners, steady horses help develop confidence and ability and for non-riders there are a host of different activities on offer. Your hosts pride themselves on their unique flexibility, with each day tailored to suit the guests who are staying. Three different activities in any one morning or afternoon are offered. Those who are purely interested in riding may spend up to 6 hours a day in the saddle during morning and afternoon rides, whilst those not so enthusiastic can enjoy a mixture of riding as well as a host of other activities such as guided walks or game drives, mountain biking, clay pigeon and target shooting. Guests are also always welcome to join in on any management activities on the reserves such as game capture and relocation, treating injured animals, burning firebreaks and doing game census on horseback. Guides are available throughout your stay to take you out in an open 4x4 land cruiser, either for a morning or afternoon game drive. You are likely to see white rhino with their young, giraffe, warthog, blue wildebeest, sable antelope, nyala, waterbuck, impala, red hartebeest, Blesbok, kudu, buffalo, the rare Livingstone eland, Oryx, mountain reedbuck, bushbuck and nyala, steenbok, mongoose, springhare, chacma baboon, vervet monkey, duiker, blackbacked jackal, scrub hare, lesser bush baby, tree squirrel and rock hyraxes. There are 300 recorded bird species in the area to add to the exquisite variety of all forms of wildlife that the reserves support. Alternatively you may wish to take advantage of the extra experience of a game drive at night, using a spotlight to find elusive nocturnal species such as the rare brown hyena, aardvark and porcupine. The famous Big 5 Game Drives are also available for an additional charge. For families or couples where some ride and others don't, you can enjoy separate activities alternatively as there are two guides on each ride and novices can go out with their more competent partners without slowing the ride. Basic lessons for non-riders are available at both lodges and many guests do learn to ride here. Special activities are laid on for children and teenagers who enjoy getting involved in the running of a game reserve. Children of all ages can join their parents on all activities such as riding or can alternatively be taken out separately. Special food and meal times can be arranged and children are welcome to supper in their dressing gowns. While the variety of activities keep all entertained, you will learn a great deal about wildlife and gain inspiration to last you a lifetime. It is a truly amazing and educational experience. Riding lessons are available for the novice rider and many children learn to ride and how to appreciate the wonderful environment here. Your hosts are also happy to take you through the Waterberg to see other interesting sites including: Elephant Safaris : This activity allows you the opportunity to interact and ride with the amazing African Elephants which is an educational and enjoyable experience. This is followed by a ride through the bush on elephant back together with an experienced Elephant handler. Bushman paintings and Iron Age villages. The rhino and cultural museum, visiting orphaned rhino. A Farm Tour where a local farmer will give you the historical background to the area, taking you on a tour of his cattle and stud farm. There is a tennis court and pool below the beautiful gardens at the house. You can go to a historic thatched church on Sundays where you can meet local people and see the 1914 building designed by Sir Herbert Baker. Children can attend a colourful Sunday school where the Sotho children sing choruses in rousing harmony. You hosts are also happy to take you shopping in the local town where you will find a wide variety of local and African arts and crafts. |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 12 |
| Ability description: | Beginner to advanced. |
| Type of ride: | Safari |
| Total riding time: | 6 hours daily for those who wish. |
| Departure dates: | Departures to suit. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Romantic seven night safari
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Come and experience an amazing and diverse game viewing experience finished off with a very personal and relaxed atmosphere. Ant’s and Garonga know exactly how to maintain the balance between unobtrusive service and making guests feel so at home that tears might flow on departure. At Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill guests can tailor make their own day with a choice of safari activities on offer such as game drives, game walks and amazing horse riding. At Garonga safari camp they will spoil your soul with their safari approach. Enjoy game drives, wilderness walks, sleep –outs and bush baths. On your safari at Ant’s and Garonga you are likely to see elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino, cheetah, leopard, zebra, giraffe, warthog, blue wildebeest, sable antelope, nyala, waterbuck, impala, red hartebeest, blesbok, kudu, the rare Livingstone eland, oryx, mountain reedbuck, bushbuck and nyala, steenbok, mongoose, springhare, chacma baboon, vervet monkey, duiker, black backed jackal, scrub hare, lesser bush baby, tree squirrel, rock hyraxes. The areas also boast with more than 350 recorded bird species. |
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| Accommodation: | Your stay will be divided between Ant's and Garonga safari camp. The accommodation at Garonga Safari Camp reflects the surroundings of the bush's textured earthy colours and clean lines have been incorporated with fine linen to ensure pure comfort, a tempting place to lie and meditate for hours. |
| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 12 |
| Ability description: | All abilities welcome as well as non riders. |
| Type of ride: | Safari |
| Total riding time: | As per Itinerary |
| Departure dates: | Between 9 November 2009 to 31 March 2010. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |