Home > Cape Town > Aquila Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town
USD $201.00
Aquila Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa
Visit the incredible Aquila Game Reserve -- the closest game reserve to Cape Town – on this full-day safari tour! With hotel pickup from your central Cape Town hotel included, this day trip provides a worry-free experience so all you have to do is get excited for your exploration of the private, malaria-free reserve. Take an unforgettable game drive through the park, watching out for famous Big Five animals, as well as endangered species like the ‘Aquila’ Black Eagle.
Leave the bright lights of Cape Town behind and set off to the Aquila Game Reserve by air-conditioned coach. After a journey of roughly two hours, you’ll arrive at this incredible, malaria-free game reserve in the heart of South Africa’s southern Karoo.
On arrival, meet your game ranger guide and embark on an Open vehicle game drive around the park.
Watch out for Africa’s famous Big Five -- African elephants, Cape buffaloes, lions, leopards and rhinos – while touring the park, and learn from your guide how the phrase ‘Big Five’ came to be coined. Plus, look for hippos, giraffes.
After your Game Drive you will return for lunch (included).
Aquila Game Reserve is well known for its large natural wetland, and so the bird-watching opportunities here are plentiful. Home to more than 170 different species of bird, the park is actually named after the endangered Black Eagle (Aquila). Keep your eyes open as you explore the park and you might be lucky enough to see one!
After 2 and half hours of touring the park on your game drive, meet your host for the journey back to Cape Town, arriving in the late afternoon.
Anminals were shy. couldn't see them . Very goog trip
Review by: CT123, May 2018
A lovely day out of the city to try and spot the big 5. The transfer from the hotel was very convenient and our guide at Aquila was very knowledgeable about all of the animals in the park. We saw elephants, giraffes, hippos, springbok, rhino, zebras and an added bonus was seeing the Elephants at the watering hole having a mud bath in the midday sun.
Review by: mhawke, May 2018
This is a great way to head on safari from Cape Town. Convenient pick-up from our hotel to drive down to Aquila where we had some time for lunch before our game drive. We were lucky enough to see 4 of the big 5 and our guide was very knowledgeable.
Review by: sarahm, May 2018
This is an excellent tour to experience a game drive whilst in Cape Town. We saw lots of animals and our safari driver had some great knowledge on the drive about the animals and the game reserve.
Review by: Bast, April 2018
Great day out to see the Big 5 (4 in our case!). The Aquila reserve is beautiful and it was fantastic to get close to the elephants, rhinos and zebras. It is a bit of long drive from Cape Town but it was worth it after the afternoon we had.
Review by: Chelsea R, March 2018
Great tour! Convenient pick-up in Cape Town, comfortable drive to Aquila, delicious lunch, and amazing game drive! I would highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting to see African wildlife without travelling too far from the city.
Review by: Davjo, March 2018
Lovely setup with all the animals you’d expect to see, the elephant charging our truck was the best put of the day the driver had to put his foot down to get away, managed to get it on film! Definitely worth a visit!
Review by: Jill B, March 2018
Excellent trip. The Park was such fun. We saw lions about 4ft from us, luckily looking well fed, zebra, ostrich, springbok, giraffe, elephants, baboons and wilderbeast. The guide Nickolas was excellent. Full of interesting facts, and answering questions fired at him by the passengers. The preceding lunch was of very high quality, and all in all would highly recommend this tour. The only negative was that there was a mix up at the start and passengers were not ready for pick up so we added 1.5hrs to the 2.5hr trip to the Game Teserve.
Review by: MR STEPHEN H, January 2018
This was a really good excursion! Aquila Game Reserve is about two and a half hours drive in air-conditioned minibus from Cape Town that included a 15 min comfort break along the way. On arrival we were treated to a drink of sparkling wine or water, followed by a very good buffet lunch. The safari lasted over 2 hours and our driver/guide was excellent. During the safari, there was a stop along the way at a small open-air café with toilet facilities and another free drink! We saw lions, elephants, rhinos, zebras, hippos, giraffes, wildebeests, springboks....... Aquila is an excellent, well run, private game reserve and my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience!
Review by: Erica M, January 2018
The day started out with the driver arriving at the wrong pickup location at the back of the hotel rather than the lobby. So we were about 15-20 minutes delayed. My husband and I were not able to sit together for the 2 hour ride because others on the ride were apparently staying overnight at Aquila and had luggage in the seats rather than in the back of the van. My recommendation would be for the tour company to arrange for separate transportation for overnight guests and their luggage. I'm not sure what the reason was but the driver was also stopped by the police on the trip - perhaps due to erratic driving. The safari drive and lunch were fairly nice. It lasted about 90 minutes and we saw 4 out of the 5 Big Game animals.
Review by: James M R, December 2017
This was a good trip and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a safari lite experience. The game reserve experience was outstanding. From the moment we arrived to the reserve and until we left everything was outstanding. Checking in went smoothly and the lunch provided was quite good and the staff superb. _br/_ Our tour guide was charming, engaging and answered all questions asked.
Review by: David N, November 2017
Nothing wrong with the operator - trip was exactly as described - but you'd be better off going to a local zoo. Way too much time riding in a crowded minivan-bus. Marginal food at the lodge. Contrived drive through the reserve. Animals all all rescue animals - so it is great that they are being cared for, but not worth the trip to see.
Review by: jacqueline a, October 2017
The safari was excellent and managed to see 3 of the big 5. Our guide was excellent too.
Review by: Steven B, October 2017
This was a wonderful introduction to wild animals in South Africa. The reserve is small, but one can get quite close to the animals for great photos. Our guide was knowledgeable, funny, and navigated our flat tire in the middle of the ride with expertise.
Review by: Abigail P, October 2017
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Catherine G, October 2017
We visited the Aquila Game Reserve in July 2017. We had an excellent driver and wove our way through beautiful scenery until we reached the reserve. We were greeted with sparkling wine and buffet lunch before climbing into an open truck to visit the wildlife. Our safari driver provided us with lots of interesting information and made every effort to show us all the animals, especially the white Rhinos. While it is not the same as a back country safari, this is an excellent way to see African wildlife, especially if you are time constrained. We recommend this tour to anyone visiting Cape Town.
Review by: Susan C, August 2017
Excellent! Saw 4 of the big 5. Didn't see the leopard but saw all the others plus other animals as well. You get 1 bathroom break 1 hour into the drive to the Reserve. Left reserve about 3:30pm, no bathroom break stop none need it but wasn't offered either. Lunch was good but you have to pay for drinks. Went in end of August and was cold 42 degrees F. Had to get jackets in gift shop but found out later they provided blankets in the jeeps. All animals were on the right side of the jeep during my tour. Of course we were seated on the left. But still was able to see and take some amazing photos. All 7 lions were so close to our jeep.
Review by: Shyam U, July 2017
Overrated..good lunch..lame safari experience..it was like going into a Apparently Natural surrounding Zoo sprinkled with few animals..the Guide was funny and knowledgeable But last 15 mins was a rush to go back as the supervisor was scolding the poor guide why is he spending so much time..because too many others suckers like us were waiting..to come in ..
Review by: lucaslow, July 2017
Good experience at a private game reserve. The safari guide provided useful information on the animals.
Review by: luc, July 2017
Good experience at a private game reserve. The safari guide provided useful information on the animals.
Review by: Newfoundlife311, May 2017
Amazing safari and knowledgeable safari guides. The park was absolutely beautiful and the accommodations were way above my expectations!
Review by: McCartney.tim, April 2017
This tour was great! My wife did not feel she could do the full safari so we thought we would do the Sarfari lite tour. We were completely satisfied, the tour was even better than we expected. The reserve is relatively small, but adequate, the tour trucks we able to locate the animals in fairly short order. We saw antelope, hippos, rhinos, elephants, wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, elands, lions, and ostriches._br/_ The elephants were mt favorite, I had seen elephants in habitat at zoos and perserves. They basically stand around and interact with other elephants some, this trip we were lucky this time to see them at a mud hole about 30 yards. They were very active sloshing and spraying themselves and each other. Each one would knee down, sloshing, and spraying, it was great._br/_ Our tour guide was knowledgable and friendly. I would highly recommend this tour for those looking for a less physical experience.
Review by: Eugene S, April 2017
This safari began with a pickup from our hotel in CapeTown. The mini-bus picked up a few more passengers and we were on our way. Aquila is 180 KM north of CT, so it's about a two hour drive, including a rest stop. Our pickup was at 9:00 AM and we got to Aquila around noon. We were greeted with a glass of champagne and then treated to a full buffet lunch. Drinks at lunch are extra. A pair of peacocks paraded around the lunch tables.We were then off in a safari truck,seating around 8. At the first watering hole we saw hippos and springboks. Moving on we encountered six rhinos and one elephant, that wanted to play with them. Then three ostriches sauntered by. We saw antelopes all over the place, then an Eland Antelope - big, along with three giraffes. Then it was on to see some lions - several females and a couple of males - all from the truck - no barriers. Then to rest stop way back in the bush, where we were again offered champagne to kill the dust - very classy! Then a leisurely drive back to the main lodge. All during the ride,our driver explained about the animals - their behaviour, for example, when a female rhino urinates she aims her considerable flow at a plant to water it for future use.The safari itself was more than a couple of hours which was more than adequate. It was very exciting to see all these animals in their natural habitat, with no fences or barriers to obstruct our view. Zoos will from now on be disappointments. This is a very worthwhile excursion and should not be missed! We got back to CT around 6:30, for full days outing. Don't miss it!
Review by: William C, March 2017
Don't waste your money! My morning safari reservations not honored. Put on afternoon game drive. Late leaving. Long 2.5 hour drive each way! Very very little game to see. Very overpriced!_br/_ Don't do this tour!
Review by: debsilver, March 2017
This tour is good but it's just a bit too far for a days outing , from the hotel it took two and half hours to travel to the lodge then lunch again more sitting , then three hours sitting on a jeep and finally another two and a half hours travelling back to the hotel. We did see a lot of animals but no leopard !_br/_ The lodge was nice the lunch very average ._br/_ If you have a bad back this is not for you as the terrain is extremely uneven and you are thrown around a lot.
Review by: Kara, March 2017
The tour was great just there weren't that many animals.
Review by: Stuart P, February 2017
I found it tough to rate this trip, as on one hand I was disappointed and on the other I enjoyed it. But I'll explain my reasons..
Review by: Lorna F, January 2017
Nine of us had an amazing day at the Aquila Game Reserve._br/_ We had a glass of fizz on arrival, then a fabulous breakfast, then a three hour safari, had amazing views of some animals and not so amazing views of others, but as the animals aren't in cages you take what you get on the day!_br/_ My son did this trip a week before us, and his photos of most of the animals were fantastic._br/_ Half way round the Safari we had another glass of fizz, then returned to a lovely lunch._br/_ We sat by the pool until our pick up time to return us to our apartments! The elephants wandered down to the watering hole opposite the swimming pool!_br/_ On leaving the Reserve there were Baboons sitting on the road.
Review by: Thomas B, November 2016
This was a wonderful tour with a chance to see all the key wild animals in a natural setting. The fact that the park is dedicated to healing and caring for animals illegally trapped is an added plus.
Review by: pattik, July 2016
A truly awesome experience. Wonderful memories. xx
Review by: eric w, June 2016
The number of animals on the reserve was pathetic in the truest sense of the word. A minimalist zoo and not worth the investment in time to go see. I would avoid this tour and spend the time in wine country or on the Cape Tour.
Review by: Helen T, June 2016
My husband and I very much enjoyed the safari experience itself. The travel to and from the venue was, however very disappointing given how much the overall experience cost. _br/_ Although we were picked up shortly after 6 and others were earlier than us we then spent more than 40 minutes travelling across the city and waiting for one couple who were not ready waiting, and for a more extended period for a couple who did not turn up._br/_ The minibus for journey alternated between having either poor ventilation Windows obscured with condensation or icy cold air conditioning. This was certainly not the comfortable journey I was expecting._br/_ I am disappointed about the lengthy delay between finishing lunch and the return journey of over 1.5 hours - I suspect this was for the convenience of the driver's work at the centre there appears no other rationale for it. There was no activity to fill this gap - we were not advised that there was a pool for swimming so could not avail ourselves of this._br/_ The factors outlined above detracted from our satisfaction of the day, especially given the cost of the experience.
Review by: purizaca, April 2016
This safari is nice if you're doing safari for the first time
Review by: Terry, April 2016
Outstanding! This group is doing great work with the animals! We were So close up! We have Wonderful pictures! Kudos to the wonderful staff who prepared breakfast and our lunch. The best food in South Africa!
Review by: Andrew B, March 2016
Amazing, although a game reserve with fencing, all of the animals had acres of space to wander around, for a day trip if you dont have to time to do a full on safari, this is it, be prepared to get up early though, 5.30am start from Cape Town City and camps bay area,
Review by: haypeg, February 2016
This is a great safari taster. We were only in Cape Town briefly on a cruise ship and it was great to be able to have a safari experience so close to Cape Town, in only one day. We managed to see all of the Big Five, even though the leopard was in the rehab centre at the time. The tour was well organised and ran smoothly and the guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. Being greeted with a glass of champagne upon arrival was a pleasant surprise! Can definitely recommend this tour.
Review by: Bill, February 2016
Excellent trip, wonderful food and drink, amazing guides and outstanding setting
Review by: Roslyn B, February 2016
Our tour guide Johnny was the good, and accommodated our requests and made us feel at ease. We sat up the back of the minibus, but unfortunately could not hear Johnny's enthusiastic guide about Capetown or countryside highlights of the 2 hour drive above the engine noise and the rattles at the back. There was no microphone._br/_ On arrival arrival at the Aquila Game Reserve we had to stand over 30 minutes in a queue which was outside the door in temperatures which were warming up for the day. We had booked about 10 weeks ago online, and had our booking reference etc, ready. I would have thought that Viator would have been able to expedite our reception process with a bit more professionalism. Our breakfast and lunches included in the cost of the ticket were great value and delicious._br/_ Our safari wagon was a bus holding over 20 passengers. Understandably there was no microphone_br/_ so we could not hear the commentary by the driver or the guide. _br/_ Although it states that sightings are not guaranteed we did manage to spot the animals at distance. _br/_ People with binoculars saw the face of a lion high up in its cave.. The saving moment of this journey was a truly beautiful scene which happened because 3 bus loads arrived before the animals: Rhino mothers with their babies ambled down to a water hole, followed by several Zebras, ducks and a Springbok._br/_ I was disappointed because seeing animals in their natural environment was my reason for coming to South Africa. I really felt as if we were attending a beautiful resort, with a few animals along the route thrown in for a talking point.
Review by: Ian H, November 2015
tr through the park was excellent and guide was terrific but too much time left hanging around at end of park tour before we could leave on the mini bus.
Review by: Amberly M, October 2015
Our driver, Denver, was awesome and got us safely to and from Aquila Game Reserve. Once we arrived, the bubbly wine and breakfast started the safari on the right foot! We boarded the safari vehicles and started on our journey through the reserve. The animals are fantastic and it was just so neat to see them in action! Just realize that this is a reserve and not a national park- the animals are fenced in and it can feel like a wild zoo and not an actual safari. It doesn't limit the danger, though. We got pretty close to the lions, the rhinos were still treated as dangerous, and the guides still have to keep you safe. Half way through the tour, we were able to get out and walk around with another glass of bubbly near the zebras. The tour ended with a fabulous lunch! After lunch, we lounged in some chairs by the fire pit. There is also drink service at this time. It was an amazing day! Loved every bit of it!
Review by: geoffrey.marshall, October 2015
Aquila is very organized and the breakfast and lunch are great. On viewing the lions they seemed to be in an enclosed area and didn't appear to be in a free and natural habitat.
Review by: Geoffrey Marshall, October 2015
Aquila is very organized and the breakfast and lunch are great. On viewing the lions they seemed to be in an enclosed area and didn't appear to be in a free and natural habitat.
Review by: Jodi P, August 2015
The game reserve was great, and the animals were a pleasure to watch. The buffet breakfast and lunch were super.
Review by: John G, July 2015
Beautiful!!!!! Totally beyond expectations.
Review by: david h, April 2015
It was good to see 'The Big Five' animals around the park. Tour was great with well informed guides. Good food at breakfast and lunch.
Review by: Carola W, February 2015
Very nice tour with both breakfast and lunch included, totally worth the price!
Review by: Jeannine R, January 2015
No onboard guide, driver was terrible, very poor driving skills, the reserve was fine, good guide/ driver
Review by: María B, December 2014
It was a very pleasant day out. Our driver from the hotel to Aquila was very kind and did everything he could to make the group happy. Doing a tour around the game reserve is nice, and enjoying the swimming-pool inside after the tour was great. However, it is not the real safari experience - animals are few, kept separate from each other in some cases. And we also had the truck that had to drive us around the reserve broken down, it took a long time for us to get a new truck and the change was managed poorly.
Review by: CAROL B, December 2014
Great day out. Location was stunning, and food (breakfast and lunch included in tour) was first class. Very clean, helpful and friendly staff. Would definitely recommend this tour.
Review by: Pristina R, September 2014
I WILL NOT RECOMMEND, 2 ANIMALS OF EACH KIND DOES NOT MAKE A GAME PARK!!_br/_
P.ROQUEMORE
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