Amazing experience and excellent tour guides especially Ejide
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Bottled Water, Breakfast & Lunch Full Buffet
- Private transfers to and from the game reserve
- Private Driver/guide & Private Vehicle From Cape Town
- Wine tasting at 1 wine estate on the way back to Cape Town
- Aquila Safari Entrance Fees & Share Safari Truck
Excludes
- Drinks and Gratuities (optional)
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Prepare for an early morning pick up at 6:30am at your accommodation in Cape Town as we take a scenic drive for 2-hours, traveling along the N1 national road to Aquila Game Reserve. We will pass scenic vineyard plantations and you can even stop for a wine tasting on the way back.
Upon our arrival at Aquila Game Reserve, guests will receive a welcome drink and be shown to the restaurant for a full buffet breakfast (Halal and Vegetarian options available). After breakfast we depart on a 2 to 3-hour Shared Safari Game Drive. The safari is led by an experienced game ranger who will share exciting stories and facts about the reserve and the animals, pointing out the animals in sight. After our African Bush Safari, guests will return to the restaurant for a full buffet lunch (Halal and Vegetarian options available). After lunch, you are welcome to relax on the terrace; lounge at the poolside or have a drink in the bar.
On our way back to Cape Town, enjoy a complimentary cheese and wine tasting at Fairview Wine and Cheese estate.
Drop off will be at your accommodation at approximately 18:00pm.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Jeff was wonderful guide! We had so much fun
This was easily already the highlight of our trip; we’re in Cape Town for just over 2 weeks, we’re a few days in. The transfer to and from the reserve were so easy, Gift, our tour guide operator was super responsive on WhatsApp throughout. When we arrived at Aquila, we were given a welcome drink and told what time lunch and the bus for the safari were, very friendly staff at every interaction. The actual safari was breathtaking; even though I understand it isn’t an ‘authentic’ safari like in the Serengeti etc, it showcases the animals in a conserved environment, safe from poachers etc. We saw 4/5 of the big 5, which was absolutely amazing, our safari bus driver was so knowledgeable and friendly. Would recommend for anyone visiting Cape Town!
The day long tour was excellent which was made 10X better by the tour guide,Issac who went out his way to give us great historical context about every location and sight that we saw. He was very patient and knowledgable in answering all our questions. He provided even off track experience and made us feel like a local and not a tourist. Thanks to him, I am beginning to think like and love Cape Town and South Africa the more....I am definitely coming back again to continue my learning journey.
Fantastic experience. We got more than what expected. On time pickup, excellent driver. Very good road conditions. Welcome drink, breakfast and lunch awesome. Park ambience great.
Great day with a very professional driver. Isaac did a great job taking us there and bringing us back. The safari was phenomenal and the wine tasting after was a great ending. Highly recommended
Gordon was an exceptional tour guide and driver. On our drive to and from our safari, he conversed well with our entire family, providing us with insightful details about Cape Town and South Africa. He made the extra effort to learn our names and address each of us accordingly along the drive, making us all feel welcomed and appreciated. He was also very accommodating with stops to and from the safari and patient with us while we shopped for souvenirs. Thank you Gordon for making our visit to Cape Town and the Aquila Game Reserve Safari, a pleasant, fun and unforgettable experience.
The tour guide Clement provided great history of Cape Town and South Africa as he drove us to the safari location. See 4 of the Big 5 was exciting and very fulfilling.
Sadly it was an ok game park, but when it came to the big five promotion it was a bit of a let down. Lots of Rhino, but I believe it was only 3 elephants and the Lions were also few in numbers. The whole experience was rushed, when someone shouted they spotted something it was ignored they had to stick to the plan. Animals are well looked after.
Disappointed to see some animals here and there, obviously nor in their natural habitat. Some of them looking lost and bored.Didn't get to see leperds among the big five.
We enjoyed the safari tour. Ray provided our 2-hour transfer to Aquila. We enjoyed his company and conversation. The Safari was fantastic. We got up close to many animals. Overall, it was perfect day.
We enjoyed the safari tour. Ray provided our 2-hour transfer to Aquila. We enjoyed his company and conversation. The Safari was fantastic. We got up close to many animals. Overall, it was perfect day.
Great experience!! Transportation was coordinated well. We were contacted by our driver to we know the correct pick up location. Gordon, our driver/guide arrived promptly, was very pleasant and made the 2 hour drive to the safari informative and entertaining. Once at Aquila the reception was very nice. Lunch was included and it did not disappoint at all. Tyler, our guide on the reserve was very informative and ensured we were able to get good views of the animals that we came across. I would highly recommend this tour.
It was a beautiful day in Aquila. We saw the big five up close and personal as well as many birds. The welcome toast was very nice, and the buffet was exceptionally good. Our on-site driver shared knowledge and stories about the animals as we encounter them. Our driver, Gordon, provided exceptional service to and from Cape Town to the reserve. He was truly a delight, making sure to check on every individual passenger multiple times during the trip.
Sadly disappointing, poor value. The focus was more on finding the big 5, Birds where not even an option, when quite a few shouted out ostriches the driver kept going. It was surprisingly small and felt rushed. Two of the four of our group have some form of food poisoning this morning, we had breakfast and lunch at the venue and both started to feel ill by early evening.
It is a great safari. People were friendly and the reserve is beautiful. We saw 4 out of 5 of the big game animals.
Where to begin with how amazing this experience was?! Didn’t realize this was going to be private vs a group type of day trip. Ruben was great as a driver and guide for the day. He was on time and shared so much history. I made the mistake when booking and accidentally booked a month early. They were kind despite the site saying all sales are final and changed the date to the correct one. Amy was kind in her follow up correspondence. The Aquila game reserve is a fantastic experience as an intro before going to Kruger or a bigger park. The breakfast and lunch were good. The views at the reserve are beautiful. I happened to go when the weather was horrible, pouring rain and low 30s, but game driver was great and super knowledgeable. We were able to see 4 out of the 5 (no leopard). The stop at Fairview for a wine tasting was great as I didn’t want to miss trying some South African wine. Overall, this is a fantastic day experience out of Cape Town. I highly recommend booking. While it’s pricier than similar experiences, this includes all entrance fees, tolls, etc whereas the others do not.
I really enjoyed this day out. We had a super fantastic driver who was very knowledgeable and on time. I think this is a great introduction to safari. The food provided was really good. We especially enjoyed the stop at the vineyard on the way back to our hotel.
Aquila Game Reserve was an absolute delight, exceeding all of my expectations. From the diverse, beautiful landscapes to the thrill of spotting four out of the iconic Big 5 animals - lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard - the experience was truly awe-inspiring. While we didn't get to see the elusive leopard or cape buffalo, our expert guide provided fascinating insights that enriched the safari outings immensely. Between the excitement of the game drives and the opportunity to simply soak in the breathtaking mountain scenery, Aquila Game Reserve offered an unforgettable adventure that I would wholeheartedly recommend to any traveler seeking an exceptional wildlife experience in South Africa.
The Aquila reserve is in a great area and has wonderful scenery and a lot of space for a large amount of animals in an open environment very clean and staff very knowledgeable.
I had a fantastic safari day at Aquila Park. The day starts with a friendly, on time chauffeur and guide to and from the Gordon.. He is not only a family man local to Capetown, he is proud of South Africa's beauty. After his 2 hour drive , he walks you through registration, directs you to breakfast, and tells you where to catch your safari shuttle. I was told before going on, not to expect more than on or two sightings. There was only one we didn't see leopards. Otherwise, we saw hippopotamus, rhinoceros, giraffes, Africa Buffalo, elephants, baboons, zebras, and ostrich. It is amazing to see the young babies; baboons, zebras, rhinoceros, and the hippos. The skies were blue and temperature. After the safari, we had a nice buffet. As I finished my last bite, Gordon drove me home.
This was an amazing day! Our guide, Thomas, shared a lot of interesting facts on our way to and from Aquila. While there, we had fantastic breakfast and lunch buffets and saw 4 out of the big 5 animals (and many more animals) on our resrve safari. We would highly recommend this tour as it was a highlight of our trip to Cape Town.
My daughter and I really enjoyed our experience on the safari. We especially loved our driver and escort, Tambo. We very much enjoyed his company and conversation. Please give that man a long-term contract! Best guide we've ever had on any holiday we've taken!
Aquila was amazing and exceeded our expectations from the grounds to the buffet, all of the staff were fab. The safari itself was amazing we saw 4 of the big five on the day as well as loads more animals. We absolutely loved it!!! I have to do a special mention to our guide, Wilson. From the moment he collected us he was kind, knowledgeable, and shared so much history on the way and way back which made a long journey very enjoyable. He was super attentive at the reserve, making us feel well looked after and important. Thank you Wilson we can’t imagine that another guide would have looked after us as well as you did! Overall a brilliant trip.
The safari at Aquila was fantastic. We got up close to many animals, a couple of which we didn't get close to on another safari we had done elsewhere. The Fairview Winery stop was also great. Their wine tasting was fun and the cheeses that went along with the wines were delicious. The only down side was our driver that day who drive us the 2 hours to the safari and back. He had almost nothing to say to us all day and spent most of every minute on his phone talking to someone else. Compared to the amazing tour guide we had the day prior for another Viator booked tour, this one was absolutely terrible.
My husband really wanted to do a safari while we visited Cape Town. We paid upfront for this private tour. Our guide Reagan, was on time. He was polite, professional and a great conversationalist! It was a bit of a drive but it was a beautiful one. The game reserve was really nice. They greeted us with wine, hello! The tour was well organized. We saw several animals including lions, zebras and elephants. I wanted to see an elephant up-close but they were going up the mountain. The weather was perfect in November. I couldn't imagine doing this in the heart of summer. We enjoyed it. After our safari tour, we stopped at a winery in Paarl for wine and cheese tasting. It was a perfect ending to our long and exciting day! I would recommend this tour if you are only visiting Cape Town and cannot travel to Kruger National Park. It its a great alternative. Also, book this company. We enjoyed our private tour and our time with Reagan! He was great.
Private guide is very nice for the long drive and our guide Pedro was phenomenal. If you want to get up close with the animals without going all the way to Kruger this is the place. Only wish it was longer.
I'm excited to share our fantastic experience with our exceptional tour guide, Wilson, during our recent safari. Wilson's passion for sharing cultural, geographical, and historical knowledge turned our journey into an extraordinary adventure. Wilson's enthusiasm was palpable from the start. His captivating stories seamlessly wove the past and present, offering a unique perspective on the region's heritage. What set Wilson apart was his dedication to wildlife conservation. He shared insights into behaviors, habitats, and conservation efforts, fostering a deep appreciation for these creatures. His warmth and genuine interest created an environment where curiosity thrived. Whether discussing traditions or offering recommendations, his insights made us feel like we were exploring with a close friend. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Wilson as a tour guide. His passion, expertise, and camaraderie elevated our safari into an unforgettable adventure. Whether marveling at animals, learning about history, or enjoying local anecdotes, Wilson's contributions were invaluable. Our safari was not only great but also a transformative experience. For those seeking a knowledgeable local expert and passionate storyteller, Wilson is the perfect choice.
Amazing experience from start to finish! Our private driver Rubin was very informative and gave us a lot of information on our drive to the reserve. Once at the reserve, we were spoilt with a beautiful buffet breakfast with options to suit everyone and anyone! This was followed by our safari tour, during which our driver Anawe drove us around and informed us of about the animals we saw - hippos, rhinos, giraffes, tigers, elephants, and many more! Our safari trip was topped up by a beautiful buffet lunch back at the reserve followed by a wine and cheese tasting experience at the Fairview winery! A day full of experiences, and an excellent way to learn and gain an insight into the South African safari and wine! Would highly recommend to anyone! Thank you for this fantastic adventure!!
Fantastic day, the staff were helpful and friendly during breakfast and lunch which was delicious! Charlie our guide was informative and fun!!! I’d definitely recommend this day trip for anyone staying in Cape Town the drive out was also picturesque.
Wonderful day - very well organized and comfortable. Saw plenty of animals and really enjoyed the wine tasting.
It was an amazing day spent at the park and in the Fairview Vineyard. Fantastic opportunity to watch wild animals and do not drive far from Cape Town. Our guide Morne Hill kindly accompanied us the whole day providing lots of cultural and historical details about life in South Africa and Cape Town. Very punctual and experienced guide. I highly recommend his service. This trip was supposed to happen 1 day before as my wife's birthday experience but it was cancelled due to protests planning in the whole country. Our Travel Consultant Amy contacted us on time and for safety reason the trip was moved to the next day. All in all, positive communication at all levels.
This whole experience was amazing! From our driver Wilson who was so kind and gave us excellent history lessons on the drive, to the Aquila big 5 safari, my son and I couldn’t have had a better experience! We highly recommended this tour, and Wilson!
My friend and I went on this day trip together with the most wonderful driver James who was a great storyteller and kept us safe along the way. He made sure we got the full experience with the winery tour at the end and saw us home safe. The safari itself was so great and we got to see all of the big 5 animals. Our tour guide, Josh, had great tips and knowledge on each of the animals and made the safari experience above and beyond our expectations. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting the area, and bring a camera!
We had an amazing guide Seifu who was the perfect host for this tour. Aquila is really worth the visit, hospitality is top. Fantastic experience !!
Wilson was very friendly and awesome tour guide! The safari was really cool! And he was very punctual, I would recommend this safari and wine pairing to anyone who comes to Cape Town.
Our guide James picked us up from our hotel for the 2 hour drive to the safari park. I was expecting the drive to be boring but James gave us the history of each area we drove through and pointed out landmarks. The safari at Aquila was amazing. Even though it was a bit chilly we saw so many animals and had a blast. The wine stop on the way back was just the icing on top. I definitely recommend this excursion.
Reagan was a great driver. The park had fabulous buffets. We took a detour to the lion park on the way home by suggestion from Reagan. Nice day.
all went smooth. Thanks to Alex bringing us to Aquila. As the day started early, we skipped the vine tasting and the guide was flexible in that.
Great food, service, Guide and animals. When we arrived, Covid screen was quick and efficient. Next very friendly host/hostess served us a nice cold goblet of Sparking Wine. After a fabulous buffet lunch, we loaded the safari truck and a wonderful educational guide toured us through the preserve. We saw big 4 plus hippos, including lions very close up.
We had a family suite which was very nice. Though it was cold when we went & unless you wanted to brave the outdoor shower your only other option we to have a bath, which we felt bad about due to water shortages. We got to see loads of animals and they provided you with loads of blankets to stay warm in the trucks. The animals were absolutely amazing. The food was also great, my partner was pregnant but everything looked so fresh and tasted amazing with loads of choice. The only thing I would say is that there wasn’t really a ‘waiting’ area once you had to book out of your accomodation but wait for the transport back. The bar area wasn’t open at the time we were there, but I guess this would be the best option.
Aquila was well worth the money and the time to get there. The food was great, and the hospitality was amazing. The tour guide was knowledgeable and kept the safari interesting and a great learning experience. I highly recommend going. The tour guide that we paid to get to the safari and take us to the wine tasting afterwards was horrible. He barely said two words to me, spoke exclusively to my husband and made derogatory comments about women. He also shared his drug experiences on our return drive. I had a miserable drive and would never use this group again.
If you're looking for a quick and easy visit to a wildlife area in the Western Cape, then Aquila's the place. Not huge, so the animals do seem a little enclosed, but the accommodation and restaurants are very good. Great value for money and very pleasant staff all the way.
My friend and I had a free day in Cape Town and decided to book this tour. I cannot say enough great things. Our very informative tour guide and driver, Joseph, picked us up at our hotel and drove us out to the Aquila Preserve. We were welcomed with morning adult beverages (it was cold and rainy) and taken to the breakfast buffet before our game drive. Although rainy, the game drive was great. We were provided with ponchos, blankets, and hot water bottles to keep us dry and warm. We saw 4 of the big 5 plus additional animals. After the drive we participated in the lunch buffet and headed out. On the way back to Cape Town, we stopped at 2 wineries. One notable one and one less traveled. Both were beautiful properties with educational servers providing local snacks along with the wine tasting. It was a great way to spend 12 hours. Most importantly, we saw animals at the Preserve that we might not have seen in the wild. I was very happy to see the 7 majestic lions and the white rhino with her baby at the start of my African trip.
super scenic day trip experience - decent quality lunch buffet poor animal stock assortment - limited rain at time of visit , so pretty arid terrain
Fantastic day, highly recommend this to anyone, lovely place lovely people, I would go again. Definitely worth a visit.
We were in South Africa as they were approaching the water crisis. But our Safari was fantastic! We did the day trip safari. We saw beautiful countryside on our two hour ride to the Aquila Reserve. On arrival, we were greeted with a glass of wine (or sparkling cider) and ushered into the Lodge for the most delicious buffet luncheon including desserts to break any diet. It was absolutely amazing to get an up close, but not too personal look at the animals in their natural habitat. And yes, we saw four of the big five - the lions, elephants , rhinos and giraffes. Can't imagine how we missed the 5th one which is the Hippo! However, the zebras and wildebeest were abundant! Our tour guide was great imparting interesting and funny facts about the animals, the area and the people. A safari is a must for anyone visiting South Africa.
Was great. Pleasantly surprised by all the animals nd the 10,000+ acres. Would recommend them to anyone having a day out of Cape Town.
Two magnificent African Elephants walked across the horizon as we stood by the poolside, before enjoying that morning's delicious breakfast buffet, which included local African dishes. Lion pride, Gregarious Giraffes, Amazing Zebras, and more... The Safari Tour at the Aquila Reserve enabled me to realize a childhood dream. I have watched wildlife documentaries by David Attenborough ever since I could remember, and I have always been fascinated by his off road trips across the African savanna in his Toyota Land Cruiser or Ranger Rover. This safari allowed me to be a part of that world for a whole day. We were lucky in that the Lions were resting in the shade of a huge boulder next to the truck's path, and we captured close up pictures. A giraffe comically straddled the path in front of us, just staring in our direction, blocking our way for a few minutes before it sashayed away. We drove among a herd of Zebras and Wildebeest feeding next to each other. We spotted a lone Kudu feeding in the brushes. From a distance, we spotted Rhinos and Hippos. Sparkling wine halfway through the trip, soaking in the wonderful vistas, we stretched out our legs between numerous selfies. Lunch was delicious. Do not forget to shop for souvenirs at the Hotel Shop. This trip would not have been as great if it were not for the the amazing, punctual, and hospitable service from Daniel Ringel who provided us with a private transfer in his BMW. After the safari, he took us to a couple of Wineries for wine tasting. I picked up a couple of wines to take home, including a bottle of Pinotage. Wine tasting at the Fairview was with Cheese and the other was paired with biltong. This trip is truly unforgettable. Thank you, Daniel, Aquila Reserve, and South Africa!
<p>We did not get what we expected...awful tour operator</p>
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