Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa is a four star family friendly safari destination just 2 hours’ drive from Cape Town. The 10 000 hectare conservancy is situated between the Langeberg and the Outeniqua Mountains in the Western Cape, South Africa, and home to the majestic Big 5 legends: elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhino.
Game drives are offered on traditional safari vehicles, on horseback, or on quad bikes. Each of these offering their very own unique personal encounters with the wildlife at the reserve. Guests also have the opportunity to experience a fly-in safari by helicopter.
The reserve has a large swimming pool with a poolside bar, serving cocktails and ice-cold beverages for socials around the 35m long crystal clear pool. There are large dedicated dining areas and an African-style restaurant that serves local cuisine and traditional South African dessert. Furthermore, overnight visitors can relax in the dedicated mezzanine-level bar and lounge with magnificent reserve views.
Having always embraced Halaal travellers, Aquila offers on-site prayer facilities. The Salah prayer room is equipped with a basin and water-friendly services, prayer mats, the Quran, and seating for the elderly.
Aquila has a curio shop and children’s entertainment area with mini-golf, big chess, and childcarers. Children also have the opportunity to join rangers on a fascinating Junior Ranger Programme.
The nighttime fire pit transforms into a social gathering under the Karoo stars. Here guests share their stories and safari photos while enjoying a Marshmallow braai. They are also entertained by a stargazing guide and telescopes that bring the magic of the Milky Way to the fire pit.
The Tranquila Spa adds to the world-class facilities and services on offer. Here visitors can enjoy a luxurious African treatment and unwind after an action-packed day. The spa boasts a heated indoor pool, outdoor pool, sauna, steam room, and ten treatment rooms; it is a masterpiece of luxury. A group or couples room adds to the special serenity of the spa and its creative use of natural elements.
Accommodation is offered in various styles. Guests can opt for the bush-style cottages with outdoor rock showers or the modern-style Aquila Lodge with great vistas over the Reserve. Formats include rooms for two people up to accommodation for families of four, six, or eight. Accommodation includes welcome drinks, lunch, dinner, and breakfast as well as two traditional safaris.
Many awards and accolades over the years have reaffirmed Aquila’s conservation and community upliftment projects. The reserve most recently received the Skal International Sustainable Tourism Award for its various projects and policies that find the perfect balance between tourism, conservation, and the community.
Included in the Aquila safari experience is a complimentary eco-synergy project tour. Here guests learn about Aquila’s projects to offset its carbon footprint – including recycling, solar energy, aquaponics, and many other green projects.
Aquila is so much more than just an unforgettable wildlife experience. It is a luxurious African adventure that will make memories to last a lifetime.
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Acclaimed for service excellence, renewable energy, social responsibility efforts and conservation programmes, Aquila is more than just an unforgettable wildlife experience, it is an experience in luxurious African hospitality, traditional culinary delights, service excellence and the restoration of pride to the indigenous people and the land.
Named after the endangered black or verreaux eagle (Aquila verreauxii), Aquila’s story began in 1999 when its owner, Searl Derman, driven by a desire to share his passion for the wild with Cape Town, set about searching for the perfect piece of land to re-introduce the Big 5 to the Western Cape. He was fortunate enough to come across a nature reserve that would later become Aquila Private Game Reserve.
Situated in the historic town of Touws River, in a valley between the Langeberg and the Outeniqua Mountains in the Karoo, the 10,000 hectare conservancy has evolved from its early days of being residence to various antelope species only to becoming the home of the Big 5 – elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino and leopard – as well as a significant amount of other wild game, which roam freely on the reserve.
Aquila’s purpose is to protect and preserve Africa’s increasingly threatened wildlife and is fully committed to social upliftment, job creation, skills development and various sustainable empowerment programmes. Creating the ideal, sustainable balance between nature conservation and the empowerment of the local community of Touws River is at the core of how Aquila operates.
Today, Aquila’s guests can experience a day or overnight safari experience. Aquila offers its guests a unique opportunity to experience the reserve’s natural flora and fauna by vehicle, quad bike or on horse-back. Guests have the option of tailor making their overnight packages or choosing from 4 different day trip safari packages.
