Aquila Private Game Reserve & Spa

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Room information Room upgrade 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.

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

Good organised visit

Aug 12, 2025 Pingggggrockz Singapore, Singapore

For a short trip, this was a good visit as I was able to experience the “Safari” as best as possible in a few days. My room was a basic one - didn’t look fancy from the outside but comfortable enough. Overall good experience - fairly “in and out” compact trip.

Please report animal abuse if you see it

Aug 6, 2025 Emily F

Update to my original review: After witnessing some of the guides committing acts of cruelty against wildlife during our game drives, and after the general manager was completely unhelpful, I emailed the owner and got a response from the Aquila Collection Head Office. They investigated and told me what actions they took to put a stop to the reported animal cruelty. I appreciate this immensely!! I still encourage everyone to report any animal abuse you witness to the NSPCA and the Aquila Collection Head Office. They can’t put a stop to it if they don’t know it’s happening. (More tips about reporting below.) Original Review: (Posted before writing to the owner.) We witnessed animal cruelty. During the game drives they stop at a bar area with baboons so tourists can take photos. My family and I witnessed some of the guides stoning with giant rocks, and whipping the baboons, including babies, for the sole purpose of their own sick personal amusement. Please report them!! Help protect innocent animals from these violent guides! Try to get photo and video evidence of the abuse if you can - but either way, please report anything you see. We reported the abuse we witnessed to the NSPCA - please do the same. It was really easy. I can’t include contact info in the review, but it is easy to find by Googling “NSPCA contact info South Africa”. Aquila management has been alerted to this cruelty multiple times, by multiple guests, visiting at different times over several months. They have failed to effectively put a stop to it. If you haven’t made your reservation yet - don’t. You’ll risk witnessing disturbing, live animal cruelty shows that will sicken you and ruin your trip. Search for ethical wildlife tourism instead, and make sure wherever you book is not part of The Aquila Collection. (They own multiple properties with different names.) Read less

Great food and sights - use lock box for valuables

Jul 9, 2025 Denise C

I love the reserve and thought the experience was worth the price. I spent about $170 to share a room of twin beds, and this included complimentary wine on arrival and at a rest stop, 3-4 good buffet meals, and two excursions. I enjoyed the excursions and got to see lions up close as well as baboons and elephants. However, the roads are very bumpy. They should smooth out some of those roads. Do not do this if you have a bad back. My only other complaint was that my roommate had $200 stolen from her suitcase and another friend had $80 missing. Please use the safe box in the room. Read less

A Brilliant, Authentic African Safari Experience

Jul 4, 2025 ChildishChazbino

We spent a couple of nights here in November 2024 as a large family vacationing around SA. We wanted an authentic Safari experience and absolutely loved it! Upon arrival, we were greeted with some sparkling wine. The staff were polite and attentive. The actual reserve itself is very well kept, near the rear with the pool and swim-up bar is a gorgeously maintained grass area that looks out straight onto the range. We frequently saw herds of Elephants and Ostriches roam around. We were also lucky enough to have a room that saw straight out onto the range. This was phenomenal to wake up to. The food during the buffets were lovely - lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and perfectly cooked meats. Great variety and allergen cards attached to each one. Inside the food hall and walking around - you can tell that a lot of money was put into it, lots of gorgeous exposed wood - gardens were kept lovely and not a piece of rubbish around. Our room was also great for what it was, quite modern - very clean and comfortable. not much more you could ask for! The safaris themselves were fantastic. We had an evening and morning one. A lot of the family opted out of the morning one due to how much you are thrown around the truck due to the massive bumps in the roads - but it's to be expected. Myself and my partner were in our element, we are keen photographers and took some incredible photos of Lions, Hippos, Elephants and much more. It was a fantastic experience. A highlight for myself was when a troup of Baboons stormed the half-way stop at the Safari. It was quite a reserved spot in the middle of the reserve and you can tell the Baboons frequently attacked here to steal food on a daily basis! I noticed one pop up out of nowhere, and within seconds there were about 10 of them converging on me and a few others. It was bloody scary but exhilarating. A few of the staff managed to shoo them away but managed to take some great snaps of them whilst they were there! A wonderful stay and a gorgeous reserve. I would definitely return. Read less

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