Aquila Private Game Reserve & Spa

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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.

Relax and eat

Sep 3, 2025 juliesY173TC Margate, United Kingdom

We stayed at Aquila for six nights and had an amazing time , but if you can’t do that long three nights will be plenty. On arrival we were greeted with a welcome drink hot or cold alcohol or pop coffee or tea . Because we stayed for six nights we had two different rooms both lovely warm and comfortable, one looking over the reserve. There was an abundance of food , breakfast lunch and your evening meal . It did feel at times that. You were eating all the time . The guides were full of knowledge and funny and welcoming . And you could see that they enjoyed their jobs . While staying you can do two game drives a day in the trucks by horse back or on quad bikes , horse back and the quad bikes need to be booked at reception. The surrounding area of Aquila is spotless clean tidy and gardens manicured just perfectly. If you there long enough try out the spa , you don’t have to have a treatment, but there is an indoor pool steam room and sauna , ideal at the start of the day , but just as good at the end of the day . You could even go for a swim in the outdoor pool weather permitting, I wasn’t brave enough as it was cold. A little shop on sight just for the basic trinkets that you may need . The game drives , well if you love animals it was amazingly great , we got to see four of the big five . So sit back and enjoy Read less

Great break away from life

Aug 31, 2025 Jackie H

My partner and I stayed for two night and were blown away. The food was excellent, too many options to choose from, I’m just mad my stomach wasn’t big enough to try it all. The accommodation was just what we needed, has everything we needed. The spa was super nice, I had a facial. That could have been better, the cleansing process was done really fast and hard, there was no neck and décolleté massage, but it was still relaxing. Also, the warm pool, isn’t that warm. But the steam room bliss. The game drives were amazing, I was so impressed that we saw all the animals one out first drive. However, it was freezing, they do give blankets, but they don’t do much. If you go in winter take a hot water bottle with you on the game drives. Overall impress and stay was amazing will definitely recommend to friends and family. Read less

Phenomenal Experience

Aug 26, 2025 Annatjie99

From the very minute we stopped at Aquila we felt the warmth and dedication of it's staff. The welcome drink, porters, restaurant staff, cleaners, chefs and the very knowledgeable guides. Additionally the spa was a real treat and indulgence . We were there for 3 nights and enjoyed every minute. The service levels were impeccable at all levels. Nothing was too much. The game drives were excellent and we managed to see just about everything in the three days. Aquila is definitely not a zoo, but a reserve that is well managed and ecologically ethical . On the first day we saw the lions right next to the road, but on the next two days they were hunting up the mountain. We saw them on the ridge. So, clearly they have plenty of space to hunt and behave like a pride. Understandably on a much smaller scale than Kruger. . One of the things that touched my soul was the fact Aquila basically supports Touwsrivier. The staff are extremely proud of this and in Africa, we need to see more of mutual support through conservation. Read less

Great guide, but poor rooms and food for the price

Aug 18, 2025 Edward T

We paid over R15,000 for myself, my wife, and our two young kids, which was a winter special, expecting a special experience for my wife’s birthday. Sadly, the accommodation is outdated and not family-friendly. The sleeper couch for the kids was so hard they might as well have slept on the floor. In the evenings, the hot water ran out quickly, the old aircon couldn’t heat the room in winter, and our balcony was left dirty with bird droppings until we asked cleaners to sort it out. The food was inconsistent—steak left sitting in warmers became tough like shoe leather, and on Friday night an undercooked potato bake was taken back to the kitchen but never returned. Little thought is given to catering for younger children. Basic things like replenishing water in the room weren’t done. The one highlight was our safari guide, who went out of his way to make sure we saw as many animals as possible, but overall, the experience fell far short of what you’d expect at this price point. Read less

Outstanding Service and a Memorable Stay at Aquila

Aug 14, 2025 Andrea P

We recently visited my family in Cape Town and spent one night at Aquila — and what an exceptional experience it was. From the quality of the accommodation and delicious food to the professionalism of the game drivers and the friendliness of the staff, everything exceeded our expectations. We will most certainly return on our next trip to Cape Town. A few days after leaving the reserve, my daughter realised she had left behind one of her toiletry bag, which also contained jewellery of great sentimental value. We contacted Aquila immediately, and their team responded promptly. They located the bag and, to our immense relief, arranged for it to be sent to their Cape Town office so my sister could collect it. This level of care and service truly impressed us, and we are extremely grateful. Although our stay was brief, Aquila left a lasting impression. I cannot recommend them highly enough, and we look forward to visiting again. Read less

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