Reviewer Diary - On Horseback in the Waterberg

The review team of Niall Anderson and myself recently visited the Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill lodges in the Waterberg region of South Africa. The drive up to Ants is takes a pleasant 3 hours from Johannesburg and once you leave the N1 highway you are straight in to the heartlands of the Waterberg. Quaint farm stalls and stunning scenery keep your belly and mind occupied.

The first night was spent at Ant’s Nest and arriving here is like arriving home. The Ant Collection is a family run operation with the owners Ant and Tessa Baber in the midst of the happenings. The thick rock clad walls and thatch rooves blend in with the rocky bushveld setting. The rooms were hugely spacious with a strong Kenyan influence noticeable in the décor. After a wholesome high tea we were taken to meet our horses. Ants offers a variety of activities from game drives to walking and mountain biking. However it’s the horses that make this place special. Niall has had a bit of riding experience but I hadn’t been on a horse in nearly 20 years so was a bit apprehensive at the start. Ant’s luckily caters for riders of all levels and I was assigned a suitable horse named Chongwe. We mounted up and headed out. The afternoon was truly one of the greatest experiences a safari goer can have. Riding amongst general game and within a few metres of buffalo and white rhino on horseback is completely different to being on foot, bike or on a vehicle. You blend in to their world. On a flat stretch we even had a go at a canter (where I nearly fell off) and the continual duel between my horse and Niall’s on who should be second in line provided much entertainment. The afternoon ended by having sundowners at a spot already set up by staff at Ant’s. What a way to end the day. The horses are then released to head back to the main lodge on their own accord – most head back in the morning. A true horse heaven and there are no lion or elephant on the reserve to worry about. We spent that evening dining with Anthony and the manager Les arguing about the superiority of Land Rovers over Land Cruisers - Ants use these lesser beasts!

The morning was a relaxed affair where after a hearty breakfast we were offered the opportunity of joining Ant and his team on a buffalo darting exercise as the vet had been called in. A great aspect of Ants is that it is a working game farm and guests are offered the opportunity of taking part in farm management activities. This is often a side to safaris that guests never get to see and can be truly rewarding. Anyway after a few hours spent following the buffalo who got spooked as the herd was without any males the darting exercise was called off. The riders had a few cuts and scrapes as temporary mementos from the various acacia trees and buffalo thorns they had to ride through to get close to the buffalo.

We then transferred to Ants other lodge – the young Ants Hill which is superbly situated on a ridge offering exquisite views of the surrounding Waterberg vista. Again the afternoon was spent on horseback and this time we had horses with completely different personalities. Mine this time was an old lady and so chilled out she would have fitted in well in a hippy hostel on the Wild Coast. We rode for a few hours and had a few stretches where we cantered and luckily for me I was more comfortable this time round and managed to actually enjoy the action. We rode steadily upward and were greeted by another glorious sundowner setup with a grand view of the valley below and hills beyond. The horses were released to go do there thing and cantered off as we toasted our Gin and Tonic’s to the day and to what a magical place Ants is!

To view the Ant Collection portfolio please visit gamelodgeindex.com

Lodge of the Week - Amakhosi Lodge

A place of kings and frogs

The Reserve:

Amakhosi Safari Lodge is set on a beautiful patch of rolling bushveld in northern Zululand. The reserve is 13 000 hectares in extent and only the Amakhosi Safari Lodge and the neighbouring Mkuze Falls Game Lodge traverse this truly magnificent reserve. There are a variety of habitats on the reserve ranging from wetlands to open grassland. The Mkuze River flows through the property providing splendid riverine habitats and there are several large dams on the property which are great for bird-watching, fishing or just taking in splendid vistas and sunsets. The game viewing is excellent and the reserve is home to the Big 5 although leopards are rarely seen. A highlight for any guest is the cheetah viewing with the property supporting a healthy population of these vulnerable animals and regular sightings occur. The birding in this area is exceptional and there are a number of day excursions that can be organised including tiger fishing trips to the nearby Lake Jozini.

The Lodge:

Amakhosi Safari Lodge is superbly located on the banks of the Mkuze River. Excellent game sightings are often had from the lodge’s spacious decks and gardens. The gardens are dotted with ancient cycad plants and shaded from by large riverine trees such as the boerbean which attract an array of birdlife in the spring and early summer months. Amakhosi’s defining aspect in camp is its cheerful service and utterly delicious meals which are always presented in a creative manner. A suitably selected house red and white accompany the evening meals. The rooms are massive thatched A frame units, each with its own private lounge with an admirably stocked bar fridge, private bathrooms and separate toilets. The bedroom itself has a lovely glass front that one can peep out of at the wild world outside from the comfort of one’s bed. In addition to the six standard luxury suites there are two honeymoon suites, both with private plunge pools and hammocks. Although similar in floor space to the standard suites, the honeymoon suites are completely open plan and thus notably more spacious. The service is great, the food divine and the setting just wonderful.

Who is this suitable for:

Amakhosi is great for couples, honeymooners, small groups or families. In addition to a basic children’s programme, the camp has an electric perimeter fence which makes it suitable for families travelling with young children.

For more information on this property or to find your ideal destination, please visit

The Game Lodge Index

Photo of the Week - Richard Millar

You can view more of Richard Millar's photography on his website - Richard Millar Photography or join his group on Facebook

Read more about wildlife, game reserves and game lodges on The Game Lodge Index

Guest Post - Free Desktop Background - Wild Dog

 Free Desktop Background | Wild Dog

 This image was taken whilst I was guiding a group in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Madikwe is renowned for its wild dog sightings (hence our planned photographic safari focussing on wild dogs in 2011) and our group was very lucky to be able to sit with this pack of 13 individuals for well over half an hour as they played around in the late afternoon sun.

The scientific name Lycaon pictus is derived from the Greek for "wolf" and the Latin for "painted". Wild Dogs are the only canid species to lack dewclaws on the forelimbs. Like most members of the dog family, it is a cursorial hunter, meaning that it pursues its prey in a long, open chase and hunts in packs. Nearly 80% of all wild dog hunts end in a kill; for comparison, the success rate of lions (who use a stalk & chase technique), often viewed as ultimate predators, is only 30%.

There were once approximately 500,000 African Wild Dogs in 39 countries, and packs of 100 or more were not uncommon. Now there are only about 3,000-5,500 in fewer than 25 countries, or perhaps only 14 countries. They are primarily found in eastern and southern Africa, mostly in the two remaining large populations associated with the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania and the population centered in northern Botswana and eastern Namibia. Smaller populations of several hundred individuals are found in Zimbabwe, South Africa (Kruger National Park), and in the Ruaha/Rungwa/Kisigo complex of Tanzania. Isolated populations still persist in Zambia, Kenya, and Mozambique.

Guest Post by Andrew Beck

Andrew Beck is the owner of Moya Wa Tenga Safaris, a company offering bespoke safari itineraries, travel services and photographic safaris around Southern Africa. Andrew has spent much of his life in the bush and is passionate about sharing his experiences and knowledge with others. 

Reviewer Diary - Sanbona Private Game Reserve

Located a mere half an hour drive from the Avalon hot springs in Montagu on route 62 is the Sanbona private game reserve. The drive through route 62 was pleasant enough, but once we entered the reserve, the landscape became staggeringly beautiful with an overwhelmingly timeless feel and prehistoric quality about it. Sanbona is aptly named after the Khoi San word meaning ‘what the Bushmen saw’.

The drive from the main gate to the lodge was turbulent as the roads were being layered with a thick coating of crushed stones to prevent erosion, not ideal when not using a game viewer vehicle as guests would normally leave their vehicles parked at the main entrance to the reserve. One can immediately sense the huge expanse of the reserve and the rolling hills that go on forever over the horizon. We reached Gondwana lodge after 20 or so minutes and were treated to a friendly welcome which included chilled drinks and introductions to the staff. We were escorted to the rooms which all overlook a dam and once settled, we were taken on an afternoon game drive. The enthusiasm of our guide Mark was evident as no question was too vague or insignificant to warrant his full attention and soon we were well versed in the geology, history and bio-diversity of the area. The roads are scatted with ancient rocks and fossils and the area is rich in Bushman painting sites scattered about the reserve. Highlights of the drive included a very rare sighting of a brown hyena and sun downers at the side of one of the reserves largest dams. We left in a hurry to avoid the spattering rain and headed back to get ready for supper. All the guides and fellow guests meet in the lounge for drinks and discussions of the days’ sightings, a great incentive for the guests to socialise. The meals were excellent throughout our stay. The following mornings’ game drive saw us disembark from our vehicle to approach a few rhinos cautiously on foot.

We left Gondwana after breakfast for the rather striking Dwyka Tented Camp and were certainly not disappointed with the level of service and sheer luxury of the camp. Our afternoon drive with the Dwyka guide was equally rewarding and no effort was spared to track a herd of disease free buffalo in the north east quarantined section. Dinner that evening was again a social affair as we enjoyed our buffet style meal in the company of two delightful British honeymooners experiencing South Africa for the first time. It was a fantastic escape and the stunning moonscape panoramas of the reserve will be forever seared into my memory.

For more imformation about this reserve and others in South Africa visit gamelodgeindex.com

Photo of the Week - by Kerry de Bruyn

Photo by Kerry de Bruyn

You can view more images by Kerry on her blog and all images are copywright to Kerry.

Read more about  wildlife and safari properties on The Game Lodge Index

In South Africa you will find .. . .

Photo courtesy of Richard Millar

In South Africa, you will find:

The Largest Bird - Ostrich

The heaviest flying bird -  Kori Bustard

Photo courtesy Grant Marcus

The largest land animal - African Elephant

The smallest animal - Least Dwarf Shrew

Add caption

The tallest creature - Giraffe

The largest reptile - Leatherback Turtle

The largest antelope - Eland

The largest fish - Whale Shark

Photo courtesy of Richard Millar

The fastest mammal - Cheetah

The fastest moving animal -  Peregrine Falcon

 And the largest rhino population

Read more about wildlife, game reserves and game lodges on The Game Lodge Index

Lodge of the Week - Shibula Lodge and Bush Spa

Relax and Unwind!

Shibula is a classic and elegant five star lodge in the famous Welgevonden reserve situated in an area of rolling hills and plains in the Waterberg mountain range. The lodge is well managed, has a friendly and homely atmosphere with a particular focus on the guest contentment. The rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated. Each of the rooms is different in terms of layout and décor. Rooms have their own private pool or jacuzzi. The food is excellent with unique and distinctive meals prepared daily. Shibula has an excellent health spa facility where guests can choose a variety of different beauty therapies on offer however this is at an additional cost.

Shibula is situated in the prestigious Welgevonden Private Game Reserve some 3 hours from Johannesburg. The reserve is well managed and the Waterberg is a malaria free area. Although one can view the big five and most other general game synonymous with the African bush, the emphasis at Shibula is on relaxation. Game drives are generally shorter (2.5 – 3 hours) than in other lodges so guests have longer periods of free time to do as they please in camp. The only issue with having shorter drives is that time only allows for excursions into the northern sector of the game reserve. That said the drives are led by enthusiastic guides who communicate well with the guests and spend time with the smaller creatures often ignored when searching for big game. The Welgevonden Game Reserve has an amazing variety of topographical features and healthy numbers of large game. There is a fairly high density of lodges (one lodge per 500 hectares) on the reserve and so you often will pass a few vehicles on game drives. However back in camp you will feel a million miles away from the human world.

This is a perfect lodge for a short stay safari where guests are looking to unwind, be contented and relaxed whilst enjoying a good African nature experience.

RATINGS BREAKDOWN
Core Ratings:	Sun Rays
Lodge and Camp	7.8
Safari Experience	6.5
Service	8.2
Facilities	6.9
Unique Rating	5.3
Conservation	5.3
Social involvement	3.2
OVERALL RATING:	7.9

For more information on this property or to find your ideal destination, please visit 

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Spiders in the Mist - Golden Orb Spider Guest Post

This is a guest post by Grant Marcus. You can view the original post as well as photos by Grant Marcus on his website, www.grantmarcus.com 

SPIDERS IN THE MIST

We left this morning at 6:00am with a mist cloud hanging all around us. These conditions gives photography a whole new angle. With the mist you only realise then the amount of spiders around you. All the webs are draped with droplets of water. Sometimes it is nice to photograph the smaller things in life. These big spiders are called Golden orb spiders. They make use of a very big web to catch their prey.

The big black and yellow spider is the female and the smaller one at the top is the male. Quite impressive don’t you think ? The Golden Orb spiders are from the genusNephila and are widespread all over the world. The genus name Nephilas derived from the greek word meaning Fond of spinning.

The name of the spider comes from the colour of the web and not the spider. The golden colour serves as camouflage in shady areas to trap their prey more efficiently. In sunny areas the golden colour attracts bees to the web…..very clever !

The chain of debris from the remains of victims serve as a cue to birds not to fly into the web. It has been photographed where small birds have been eaten by these spiders. They have very mild neurotoxic venom and is injected with big fangs that is like hypodermic needles. The venom has the same effect as the black widow spider but not nearly as toxic. Due to the big chelicera the bite can leave scars on areas like the fingers.  There are quite a few uses for the web and one interesting one is where fishermen collects big amounts of webbing and roll it into a ball. They then throw the ball into the water where it unfolds and serves as a cast net to catch bait fish……. How did they figure that one out.?????

In Japanese folklore they believe that the genus Nephila can shape change into a seductive woman. Well that is just a bit of back ground information about these wonderful spiders. That is just another thing you can explore while on safari. It is not always necessary to only worry about seeing the big 5. Everything you see ads to the experience of being out in the wilds of Africa.

 Read more about wildlife and safaris on The Game Lodge Index

Leopard - by Richard Millar Photography

You can view more of Richard Millar's photography on his website - Richard Millar Photography or join his group on Facebook 

Read more about wildlife, game reserves and game lodges on The Game Lodge Index