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 1036 reviews
Rating summary
Location
Sleep Quality
Rooms
Service
Value
Cleanliness
Traveller rating
Excellent (409)
Very good (226)
Average (172)
Poor (105)
Terrible (124)
Anniversary getaway
Jun 20, 2025AartiS331Cape Town, South Africa
The Aquila experience is fantastic. Welcome drinks, adequate time for relaxation and activities. The buffet lunch, dinner and breakfast was perfection. They catered for everyone and the selection was various. The rooms are neat, tidy and easily accessible. Two game drives which offer insights, great exposure to the animals and our guide Tyler,…
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The Aquila experience is fantastic. Welcome drinks, adequate time for relaxation and activities. The buffet lunch, dinner and breakfast was perfection. They catered for everyone and the selection was various. The rooms are neat, tidy and easily accessible. Two game drives which offer insights, great exposure to the animals and our guide Tyler, was amazing.
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There Are Much Better Places To Go And See The Animals
Jun 17, 2025marshap1919Stoke Poges, United Kingdom
The setting over the reserve is lovely. The view from the back of the accommodation block is a tip. The staff also have conversations from distances and their voices carry. The rooms are tired and ours was not particularly clean. It wasn't vacuumed when we went in and it wasn't vacuumed the next day either. There were stains on the sofa, It was…
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The setting over the reserve is lovely. The view from the back of the accommodation block is a tip. The staff also have conversations from distances and their voices carry. The rooms are tired and ours was not particularly clean. It wasn't vacuumed when we went in and it wasn't vacuumed the next day either. There were stains on the sofa, It was cold and we put the heater on, but still wasn't warm enough. The food is buffet style and passable. The game drives are in large vehicles and when they are full - 24 ish people it is not always easy to see the animals / get good photos. Some drivers turn the vehicles round other don't. Several of the animals are fed ie the elephants, lions, and some others There are 4 elephants, 4 lions (in an enclosure), hippos, zebra, eland, rhinos (4 maybe 5), buffalo, ostrich, we saw one giraffe, babboons. There are far better places to go than here. We thought it was over priced for what you get and there are far better places to go to see the animals. This place is just a money making machine and the money is not put back into it. Really it is an open zoo. It is not a wild safari place.
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Fab visit would stay again
Jun 3, 2025188penelopemWakefield, United Kingdom
We had a great time here it’s a fabulous place. We spent two nights in a basic room full board which included 4 safaris. We swapped one safari for a 45 minute horse trek which was brilliant we got very close to the giraffes. The food was very good and the staff were all very friendly. The bar area is also very good and the prices are treasonable.…
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We had a great time here it’s a fabulous place. We spent two nights in a basic room full board which included 4 safaris. We swapped one safari for a 45 minute horse trek which was brilliant we got very close to the giraffes. The food was very good and the staff were all very friendly. The bar area is also very good and the prices are treasonable. The rooms are a bit tired and need updating but we spent so little time in them it did not bother us I would highly recommend this place.
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Too BAD
May 31, 2025Jet27667494380
The worst experience we have ever had.
The reserve is very small, few animals.
The receptionists are not welcoming at all. It’s just a waste of money and time.
The stuff is unprofessional. Any other reserve is much better than Aquila Safari.
Great way to experience S. Africa
May 21, 2025Elaine ASanta Clara
We were on an overnight trip with 2 safaris, one at 4pm and the other at 8am. The safaris were great, everyone was so nice. There was plenty to eat at the buffets. We were in a hotel room. It was nice, had 2 plastic chairs and the AC worked well. There is no TV but you didn't need it.
Anniversary getaway
