One of the most budget-friendly Cape Town Safari Tours out there! Spend two nights in Aquila Private Game Reserve - one of the closest Big 5 Game Reserves to Cape Town, a mere 2-hour drive from the city.
This affordable short Cape Town Safari explores the malaria-free Aquila Game Reserve on exciting 4x4 game drives with professional guides. You can even swap one of the game drives for a horseback safari in this Big 5 game reserve, which also hosts an array of other wild animals. This South African safari includes return transfers between Cape Town and Aquila Private Game Reserve, comfortable safari lodge accommodation, meals at the lodge, and Big 5 game drives in open safari vehicles.
At the start of this Big 5 Cape Town Safari, you are collected from your accommodation in Cape Town between 09h00 and 10h00 in the morning. Leaving the city behind we travel northeast into the Cape Winelands region.
The two-hour drive takes us through scenic farmlands and rural landscapes, over rugged mountain passes into the semi-arid Southern Karoo. We arrive at Aquila Private Game Reserve at about 12h30 and enjoy welcome drinks followed by lunch in the restaurant. After lunch, at about 14h00, we will check into our accommodation.
Settle into your comfortable accommodation and have a rest. Later in the afternoon, at about 16h30, we embark on our first game drive in the Big 5 game reserve. The game drive is conducted in an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle by a professional guide. We spend about two to two-and-a-half hours exploring the protected area, encountering a variety of animals and birds. We usually come across members of the famous Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, and buffalo) on our very first game drive.
After our exciting afternoon game drive in Aquila Private Game Reserve, we return to the well-equipped safari lodge. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy the facilities at the lodge. The 35-meter-long saltwater swimming pool is ideal for a refreshing swim and the poolside bar is the perfect place to unwind with a cocktail. The comfortable lounge and adjoining cigar bar feature cozy log fires to keep you warm on cool winter days and there is also a small library and a children's play area. This evening a buffet-style dinner is served at about 19h00 in the spacious triple volume restaurant.
Day two of this budget Cape Town Safari begins with an exhilarating morning game drive in Aquila Private Game Reserve. Setting off into the bush at 08h30 you go in search of the wildlife action typical of cool morning hours. Your experienced guide will tell you more about the animals, birds, and plants of the region, pointing out interesting sights as you go.
Our morning game drive is followed by a hearty buffet breakfast back at the safari lodge, served between 08h00 and 10h00. You are then free to rest and take it easy at the comfortable lodge. A buffet lunch is served between 12h30 and 14h00, followed by free time to relax at the safari lodge. As the heat of the day subsides we embark on an afternoon game drive in Aquila Private Game Reserve, departing at about 16h30. Alternatively, you can set off on a horseback safari instead.
Head back out into the wilderness in search of the Big 5 and other fascinating African animals, stopping to take photographs and get a closer look at the wild inhabitants. Your guide will happily answer questions, revealing more about the flora and fauna while out in the bush. Our memorable 2 to 3-hour game drive or horse ride ends back at the lodge where you can take a dip in the pool or enjoy the lovely views with a refreshing drink in hand. A buffet spread is served at about 19h00 and after dinner, you can unwind in the bar or join a stargazing experience to marvel at the star-studded Karoo skies.
Please Note: On this Cape Town Safari you have the option of replacing one of the game drives with a horseback safari at no extra cost. Alternatively, you can join a quad bike safari at an additional cost.
Day three begins with an exciting morning game drive in the Big 5 Aquila Private Game Reserve - one last chance to spot the Big 5 of Africa. Returning to the safari lodge after our last open vehicle game drive, we head to the restaurant for a tasty breakfast served between 08h00 and 10h00.
Then it's time to check out of our accommodation, between 10h00 and 10h30. Make yourself at home and enjoy the lodge facilities until we depart from Aquila Game Reserve at about 12h30 and drive back to Cape Town. Our estimated arrival time back in Cape Town is between 15h30 and 16h00 when you will be dropped off at your post-safari accommodation.
This Big 5 Cape Town Safari visits Aquila Private Game Reserve in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Aquila is a privately owned game park named after the endangered black eagle, called the Verreaux eagle (Aquila verreauxii). The game reserve is located close to the small town of Touws River on the fringes of the Southern Karoo region and is thus a malaria-free wildlife destination. This 10,000-hectare sanctuary is home to Africa's Big Five and a rich variety of other wildlife species, including wildebeest, giraffe, cheetah, hippo, zebra, oryx, and various other antelopes.
Aquila Game Reserve hosts an animal rescue center that provides sanctuary to animals that can never be released into the wild again and also serves as a temporary home for animals that need care and rehabilitation before being released into the wild. The center is not open to the public and interaction with humans is kept to a minimum. Conservation and rehabilitation initiatives have included work with black eagles, rhinos, cheetahs, lions, and more. Located only two hours' drive from Cape Town, Aquila is one of the closest Big 5 game reserves to Cape Town. It is also one of the top wildlife destinations for Big 5 Cape Town Safaris.
Standard lodge rooms come with twin beds, which can be made up to Queen-size beds, and an en-suite shower facility. The room facilities include safes, air-conditioning, fans, USB charging points, and extra luxuries such as gowns, slippers, and bathing supplies. A bar fridge may be stocked as per guests' requirements. Although these rooms do not have a view and do not face the reserve, this doesn't detract from the comfort level.
Premier lodge rooms come with twin beds, which can be made up to Queen size, and a sleeper couch suitable for a small child. Each room has a full, en-suite bathroom with a separate shower and a bath that comes with a view over the reserve. The room facilities include safes, air-conditioning, fans, USB charging points, and extra luxuries such as gowns, slippers, and bathing supplies. A bar fridge may be stocked as per guests' requirements. Each room has its own private balcony with magnificent views over Aquila Private Game Reserve. A perfect spot for sundowners.
Each twin luxury cottage comes with en-suite facilities featuring a corner bath and an alfresco shower with extra luxuries such as gowns, slippers, and bathing supplies. Fans are provided and in winter there is a fireplace for cozy evenings. Minibars may be supplied on request. There is a private patio ideal for sundowners and relaxation before dinner.
These private cottages are constructed from wood, rock, and thatch and are built on the hillside of the reserve offering beautiful views from the private patio. An ideal spot to enjoy sundowners and game watch as the deck overlooks Aquila Private Game Reserve. Each en-suite bathroom has a bath, twin hand basins, and an alfresco shower all featuring local rock that has been used in their construction. Each cottage offers plush furnishings, air-conditioning, fans, and a log fire and the honeymoon suite features a private, alfresco jacuzzi.
Families are catered for in Family Luxury Cottages which sleep four or eight guests.
Facilities at the safari lodge include a 35-meter saltwater swimming pool, a triple-volume restaurant overlooking the surrounding bush, an outdoor boma area, a children's play area, a spacious lounge, a cigar bar, a library, and a curio shop. Aquila also features a spa with heated indoor pools, a steam room, a sauna, and other pampering facilities.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
Children of all ages are welcome to join accompanying parents or guardian on this safari.
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