Launching for the 2026 season, Ant’s River Lodge Big 5 Horse Safari marks a thrilling new chapter for Ants  — the same team, horses, guides, and hospitality you know and love, now on an exceptional new reserve. This is Big 5 safari riding elevated – authentic African wilderness, malaria-free bushveld, and incredible wildlife encounters from the back of a well-trained safari horse.

Ants have been creating unforgettable riding experiences in South Africa’s Waterberg for decades, where guests can feel part of the rhythm of the bush, ride freely amongst game and return each evening to warm hospitality and refined comfort. The River Lodge brings all of this to a strikingly diverse new setting in the Kaingo Private Game Reserve, expanding the Ants Africa story into even bolder wildlife territory.

Set within 16,400 hectares of bushveld savannah, river valleys and dramatic mountain views, Kaingo Private Game Reserve is an ecological gem traversed by the Mokolo River. It supports over 50 mammal species and more than 250 bird species, making it perfect for wildlife viewing from your horse.

Your riding days on the Big 5 safari are led by expert Ants Africa guides who know these horses, landscapes and wildlife intimately. Expect close encounters with buffalo, giraffe, zebra, sable and — with careful timing and expert routing – the legendary Big 5 themselves. Ride over varied terrain, dramatic open plains for canters, shaded river routes and classic sundowner spots deep in the reserve.

This is true safari riding: no fixed schedule, lots of flexibility, and the possibility of pairing your ride with game drives, bush walks, birding, or even conservation-focused activities. You’ll feel both immersed in wildlife and thoroughly cared for by the friendly Ans Africa team.