On this vast, private reserve of 12,500 acres, Ant's Hill and Ant's Nest are the only properties.

The lodges at Ant's Collection are beautifully purpose built, using stone from the surrounding area and incorporating trees that support ceilings. They both have pools, some cottages with their own plunge pools and all fabulously decorated with antique furniture chosen by Ant and his family.

ANT'S NEST

The original lodge and where it all began. Great pool and outdoor areas, plus this lodge is great for families with kids as it is flat, and rooms are closer together. We have lots of guests who rent the Nest exclusively for special occasions. See below for a description of Ant's Nest rooms.

Davidson, Kingfisher & Flycatcher –  Basic Standard rooms
We don’t think any rooms at Ants are basic and love these cosy bush lodge rooms at ground level perfect for couples or friends. The rooms are not huge but perfectly adequate sized and we love how you can step out, enjoy your own little seating area outside and skip a few steps down the path to the pool.  Kingfisher is used solely as a single room with no single supplement. Flycatcher is solely a double room with one bed, Davidson has a double and also a twin room suitable for friends sharing.

Rondavel – Superior Standard room
A relatively new room tucked around the back through an arch at the Nest, it offers you a more private experience and lovely authentic bush home feel.

Sable Suite (1&2) & Weaver Suite – Deluxe rooms
We totally love the Sable and Weaver suites and highly recommend the splurge. A personal favourite of Zara’s is the double room in Sable. A gorgeous 4 poster overlooking the pool area with a huge picture windows. Then a fabulous deep bath and big walk in shower in the very spacious bathroom. The suite has a stunning courtyard seating area perfect for sipping wine and recounting adventures of the day and for cooler summer evening and massive fireplace.

ANT'S HILL

This lodge is newer and sits on a hill as the name suggests, giving all the rooms great views across the reserve. Again, lovely pool area and outdoor spaces to enjoy. There are several secluded romantic mini lodges here with private pools and baths with a view. See below for more detail on Ant's Hill rooms.

Eagle's Nest – Superior Standard
A mere 15 steps from the pool area to this delightful superior standard room which is located above the main lodge building. It can be booked as either a twin or double room. It has an en-suite bathroom and spacious outside balcony with daybed, with stunning views over the valley from its elevated position.

Lookout Cottage and Family Cottage – Deluxe
A deluxe cottage – this stunning cottage is ideal for honeymooners with a double size four poster bed, or for 2 friends travelling together which can be changed to 2 twin beds. The bedroom features a fireplace to keep you cosy on winter evenings and opens out onto a deck with carved daybed, overlooking the valley. The open plan en-suite bathroom features a bath with a view, a waterfall shower and an outdoor shower overlooking the valley for that ‘in the bush’ feeling.

Hideaway Cottage and World’s View Cottage – Superior Deluxe
Hideaway is secluded and private, this luxury cottage is perfect for honeymooners or couples looking for a romantic getaway, yet is large enough to accommodate beds for two children sharing (on bunkbeds) with their parents. The king-size four poster bed has stunning views across the valley, through the French doors that open up onto the outside deck and verandah. The verandah features a carved day bed for relaxing in the shade, whilst the steps take you down to a private garden and plunge pool. For those winter evenings, there is a cosy seating area inside with an open fire. The open plan en-suite bathroom features a sunken bath and French doors leading to the deck, bringing the outside indoors. There is a waterfall shower inside and an outside shower overlooking the valley.

World’s View cottage is the ultimate bush retreat. It is perfect for families of up to five people or two couples travelling together. The en-suite double bedroom upstairs with bath and shower opens up on to a private balcony with an outside bath overlooking the stunning valley below where giraffe, zebra, kudu and eland can often be seen wandering.

The spacious bedroom downstairs opens on to the private heated pool. This room can either be a twin, double or triple and has an en-suite bathroom featuring a bath with a view, a shower and an outside waterfall shower. There is a covered veranda with comfortable day beds outside for relaxing during the heat of the day that leads to the pool area with sun-beds. On chilly winter evenings, one can cosy up next to the open fire in the sitting room with a glass of wine from the mini-bar.

The Food

The food at Ants Collection is great, variety of breakfasts to suit everyone from simple porridge to a full cooked breakfast. Lunchtimes are plentiful, freshly baked quiches, pies and lasagnes with fresh salads, fruit and cheese and for dinners, it’s 3 courses, soups, prawns, beef fillet, some game meat, like Warthog Schnitzel or Kudu or Eland steak with potatoes and fresh vegetables, finished off with cheesecakes and sponge puddings – just think dinner party style – all washed down with a good choice of the best South African wines or whatever your preference might be.