Aquila Game Reserve Safari — Park Fees, Transport & Lunch Included

As the day cools, begin the scenic return drive to Cape Town. The late afternoon light paints the Boland Mountains in shades of amber and rose — have your camera ready for spectacular golden-hour landscapes. Your driver takes the scenic Franschhoek Pass route (weather permitting), winding through some of the oldest wine estates in South Africa, planted by French Huguenot settlers in the 1680s. Arrive back at your hotel by early evening, with memories of an authentic African Big Five safari — just two hours from one of the world's most beautiful cities.

After an action-packed morning, return to the Aquila Lodge for a hearty traditional lunch. The lodge restaurant serves a buffet of classic South African dishes — tender slow-braised potjiekos, spiced boerewors rolls, Cape Malay-inspired curries, fresh garden salads, and sweet malva pudding for dessert. Dine with sweeping views of the Karoo plain, often with wildlife visible from the terrace. The lodge itself is a celebration of African design, with handcrafted wooden furniture, local artwork, and warm stone walls that echo the surrounding landscape.

After lunch, choose your own adventure. Take an optional second game drive to explore a different section of the reserve in the warm afternoon light — this is often the best time to see predators on the move. Alternatively, relax at the spectacular infinity pool overlooking the Karoo, explore the animal rehabilitation centre (where orphaned and injured animals are cared for), or simply unwind on the lodge terrace with a South African craft beer or local wine. Children will love the educational centre showcasing the reserve's conservation milestones.

Welcome to Aquila Private Game Reserve — 10,000 hectares of pristine bushveld that made history as the first reserve to successfully reintroduce the Big Five to the Western Cape. Board an open-top 4x4 and set off with your expert ranger into the wild. The morning light is perfect for spotting lion prides lazing on warm rocks, herds of Cape buffalo grazing near waterholes, and elephants browsing the ancient Spekboomveld vegetation. Keep your eyes peeled for elusive leopard in the rocky outcrops and both black and white rhino — Aquila plays a crucial role in rhino conservation, protecting these magnificent creatures from the poaching crisis that has claimed over 1,000 rhinos annually in South Africa.