Imagine days spent viewing the Big 5, and evenings whiled away socialising and stargazing around the fire pit - it's the stuff safari holiday dreams are made of, and that's what you'll get to enjoy when you stay here at Aquila. Just a two-hour drive from Cape Town, an irresistible mix of exhilarating game drives and reserve relaxation awaits you. Amenities include a large swimming pool, mezzanine bar with incredible views, and an Karoo style buffet restaurant serving up delicious cuisine. Be sure to bring your camera - there's going to be a lot to see, and you won't want to miss a thing.
Amenities
Safari
Bar
Internet Access
Restaurant
Safety Deposit Box
Spa
Swimming Pool
Where is it
Located between the Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains in the Western Cape, a 2 hour drive from Cape Town.
Hotel information
Range of lodges and cottages, with coffee and tea making facilities, in-room safe, seating, USB charging points, fan and air conditioning, mini-fridge (with complimentary water only), and bathroom amenities. Please note that there are now in-room television or telephone services. Standard Lodge rooms offer a comfortable and basic overnight stay with en-suite shower. These rooms do not have a view of the reserve, and are conveniently located next to the restaurant and mezzanine bar with access by stairs and lift. These rooms feature twin beds, which can be made up to 1 queen-size bed.
Full Board option: overnight stays include lunch, dinner and breakfast. Afternoon and morning safari. Complimentary eco-synergy project tour. Access to the overnight mezzanine level bar and lounge. Use of the exclusive overnight guest restaurant. Complimentary WiFi. Access to the communal pool and wet bar (with use of loungers and towels). Kids access to the children’s entertainment area. Access to the African curio shop. When staying 2 nights, guests may substitute one game drive with a complimentary horseback safari. When staying 3 nights, guests may substitute the game drive with a complimentary horseback adventure. All 2 and 3-night guests enjoy free spa access to make use of the communal services and facilities (treatments are optional and at an additional costs). All of the above mentioned inclusions are subject to availability.
Full Board option: overnight stays include lunch, dinner and breakfast. Afternoon and morning safari. Complimentary eco-synergy project tour. Access to the overnight mezzanine level bar and lounge. Use of the exclusive overnight guest restaurant. Complimentary WiFi. Access to the communal pool and wet bar (with use of loungers and towels). Kids access to the children’s entertainment area. Access to the African curio shop. When staying 2 nights, guests may substitute one game drive with a complimentary horseback safari. When staying 3 nights, guests may substitute the game drive with a complimentary horseback safari. All 2 and 3-night guests enjoy free spa access to make use of the communal services and facilities (treatments are optional and at an additional costs). All of the above mentioned inclusions are subject to availability.
Room upgrades
Karoo Cottages offer a unique, rustic feel with additions such as an indoor fireplace, outdoor shower, corner bath and small patio. The cottages are aligned with the reserve, situated on a dry Karoo river bed. Walk ways from the main safari lodge area and restaurant provide ease of access to communal services and facilities. Karoo Cottages have twin beds, which can be made up to 1 queen-size bed.
Premier Lodge rooms are spacious, with magnificent views of the reserve from the balcony or patio. Furnished with a useful sleeper couch, which can accommodate one child (under 12 years) for an overnight stay. With en-suite bath and shower. This accommodation has parking for ease of access, and is also located next to the restaurant and mezzanine bar. These rooms feature twin beds, which can be made up to 1 queen size bed.
Premier Cottages offer a rustic overnight experience, with units privately positioned on the hillside and built in harmony with the rock – which is also the focal point of the large bathrooms and alfresco showers. With a private wood deck patio with panoramic reserve views, perfect for enjoying unforgettable sunsets, and a log fireplace. At check-in, guests staying in Premier Cottages will enjoy a complimentary bottle of house wine, and can opt to replace one game drive with a horseback adventure. Premier Cottages are available in a range of configurations, sleeping maximum 2 to 4 across king, twin and bunk beds dependent on the cottage selected.
Restaurant. Mezzanine level bar and lounge.
Pool. Tranquila Spa* with luxurious African treatments, indoor and outdoor pool, and sauna and steam rooms. Aquila Kids Club*. Junior Ranger programme*. Curio Shop. Eco-synergy tours*.
* Denotes local charge.
Based on 1030 reviews
Rating summary
Location
Sleep Quality
Rooms
Service
Value
Cleanliness
Traveller rating
Excellent (407)
Very good (225)
Average (171)
Poor (104)
Terrible (123)
Great!
May 17, 2025Passport35294383548
The transport to and from the hotel was a big plus for this experience. The service at the reserve was fantastic but the best part had to be our guide. He was very patient and would stop and show us more than just the animals. He was very knowledgeable about their patterns and behaviors. We saw every animal he told us we would and more! He made us…
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The transport to and from the hotel was a big plus for this experience. The service at the reserve was fantastic but the best part had to be our guide. He was very patient and would stop and show us more than just the animals. He was very knowledgeable about their patterns and behaviors. We saw every animal he told us we would and more! He made us feel very safe and made sure we had enough time to take all of our photos. We also visited the spa which was nice but hanging out on the reserve was just as fun!
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A great stay, with fantastic rooms and amazing animals!
May 15, 2025Sam C
The game reserve was great! From the rooms, to the views, and most importantly of all the animals! We saw so many amazing animals, all of the big 5 except the leopard and many more on top of this! Our tour guide ‘Trevor’ was so knowledgable about all the animals and made the game drives even more enjoyable!
Appalling
May 13, 2025Nomad14376690507
Absolutely appalling! Over advertised! A large zoo! Shocking rooms! Canteen style dining! Nothing what we expected for the price! I firmly believe it is overpriced and we left a day early from disappointment! The food could pass, but seriously mass produced!
Enjoyable once you accept
Apr 22, 2025PeteHotelInspirationChobham, United Kingdom
GENERAL
I appreciate Aquila's not the Kruger or the Masai Mara and can only offer a taster of a game safari, however it could be so much better in value.
The actual game lodge is very commercial and in parts industrial.
Having said that Aquila can be very enjoyable once you accept its short comings.
ROOMS
Don't opt for a basic Sandard Lodge which…
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GENERAL
I appreciate Aquila's not the Kruger or the Masai Mara and can only offer a taster of a game safari, however it could be so much better in value.
The actual game lodge is very commercial and in parts industrial.
Having said that Aquila can be very enjoyable once you accept its short comings.
ROOMS
Don't opt for a basic Sandard Lodge which is 3 stories high. Rooms face the back industrial/service area and you may as well be at an airport. What little view you get from the small inappropriate windows is obscured as you need to draw the curtains in order other guests/staff dont look in, no privacy, very poor design!
The main lodge is inappropriate with its outside corridors resembling old council tenement flats, for goodness sake you're meant to be in a wild African game park!
MAIN SWIMMING POOL AND LOUNGER AREA
Can be overcrowded and lack shade. When we stayed there were large groups of rowdy drunkern men, not pleasant or what you'd expect in a game lodge. Fortunately this does not happen everyday.
However the spa pool and facility was a saviour and a far better option, lovely and peaceful.
FOOD AND DRINK
Albeit it buffet style the food is very good and tasty ranging from Babotie to Thai Chicken to Cape Malay Lamb Curry and good range of salad, deserts and a reasonable breakfast. If staying 3 days it may however become repetitive as reverts every third day!
Restaurant drinks are a slow affair as they share the upstairs bar which is slow and somewhat bad for staff who have to continually climb the steep stairs.
In general many (not all) staff tend to group together chatting and are not interactive with guests. They tend to concerntrate on stock taking or look at PC screens!
We found this particularly so in the lounge bar, pool bar and spa. One to one they are great, however overall they treat you great. Overall staff need customer care training!
Qu. Why TV screens showing UK football in the bar of an African game lodge? We've come here to get away from that.
SAFARI DRIVES
Overall good but I think you have to view it as a large zoo where animals have to be fed to supplement their diet, fair enough.
There are only 4 lions but many White Rhino, Buffalo, Zebra, Hippocampus and 4 Elephants including a circus rescued one now reintroduced into the semi wild.
You will not see a Cape Leopard but watch out for the opportunistic Baboons!
Our first tour guide was really good and informative, the second was not so good, luck of the draw.
Vehicles are old noisy bone shakers and hold 26 people which is far too many. If any animals spotted too many vehicles gather in one spot.
Game drives may not be tranquil particularly if babies on board (!) but can still be very enjoyable and most people seem content.
We opted out of some drives as staying 3 nights as they became repetitive but still highly recommended.
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RECOMMEND for a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Apr 18, 2025victoriar708Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Absolutely stunning setting right in the middle of the wilderness.
We stayed one night and was given an all inclusive experience, 2 safaris, lunch, dinner, breakfast, stargazing (with a very knowledgeable man talking us through the night sky, mashmallow roasting.
The kids play room and outside area is the best I've ever seen and I'm a teacher…
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Absolutely stunning setting right in the middle of the wilderness.
We stayed one night and was given an all inclusive experience, 2 safaris, lunch, dinner, breakfast, stargazing (with a very knowledgeable man talking us through the night sky, mashmallow roasting.
The kids play room and outside area is the best I've ever seen and I'm a teacher who has been in her fair share of playground, nurseries and early years classrooms. The spa was delightful and well staffed to ensure all guests get their relaxation needs met.
The setting was breathtaking, the guides were experiences and knowledgeable about the animals, the room was stunning and had everything we needed. Due to the package and location, check in is at the same time for all guests and was a well oiled process - keys in envelopes, luggage helpers ready to go.
RECOMMEND for a once in a lifetime opportunity.
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Great!
