Is Aquila Game Reserve Worth It ? Or A Tourist Trap?
Aquila Game Reserve is the closest safari near Cape Town. It is a popular option to add to your Cape Town itinerary.
However, whether Aquila Reserve is worth it could be questionable. Some commented it was a total waste of time and a fake safari. On the other hand, some reported enjoyable experiences there.
After research and comparisons of private game reserves near Cape Town, we decided to go with the highly acclaimed Aquila Private Game Reserve. Thus, we produce this Aquila Reserve review for you to make a decision.
Is Aquila Game Reserve a tourist trap?
No, it is not a tourist trap. It is indeed more expensive as compared to other landmarks or activities in Cape Town.
While 2 two-day one-night standard lodge is over 150 USD including transportation, it includes various items like Game Drives, buffets, snacks, drinks, and other activities. So as compared to the price of other game reserves. The offers from Aquila are pretty reasonable. For transparency, they even put their rate and itinerary online (Aquila Rates (aquilasafari.com)).
We find that most unpleasant experiences of Aquila Reserve could be due to wrong expectations. Although the game reserve is large with 10,000 hectares and it also includes the Big Five animals (Lions, Leopards, Elephant, Rhinos, and Buffalos), it is just a private reserve.
Meaning it would not be like the wild national park in Kenya or Tanzania, in a private reserve the areas are ring-fenced. The animals inside will be fed and carnivores are housed in a dedicated zone.
So if you are expecting real wild experience or animal migration. This would not be for you. However, if you are looking for a short vacation with safari experience especially with family, then Aquila Reserve is surely worth going.
How many days are sufficient for Aquila Reserve?
In our opinion, two days and one night with Aquila Reserve will offer you all the necessary experiences at the lowest cost. Starting from the second night the experience could be repetitive.
Let’s take a look at the itinerary below for details.
Itinerary for the Aquila Safari Reserve Two-Day Tour
Here is the itinerary for the two-day tour.
Day 1
- 12:00 – Buffet Lunch in the Restaurant (close at 15:00)
- 14:00 – Check in Accommodation
- 16:30 – 2hr Game drive
- 18:30 – Buffet Dinner (close at 21:30, Bar close at 23:00)
- 20:00 – Star gazing with roasted marshmallows
Day 2
- 06:45 – Coffe and Tea serve at the restaurant
- 07:00 – 1 to 1.5 hr Game Drive
- 07:00 – Buffet Breakfast (close at 10:00)
- 10:00 – Check out and Time at leisure
- 12:30 – Leave
The check-in time for Aquila Private Game Reserve is at 2 pm. However, the lunch buffet starts at 12:00 pm and not to forget the welcome drink. If you are driving to Aquila, you should be mindful of the time. If you are booking the bus from Aquila directly, you will usually arrive before noon.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted with refreshing welcome drinks at the reception. They offered a range of beverages, including beer, sparkling wine, white wine, and non-alcoholic juices, all complimentary. What a thoughtful gesture that kept us entertained while we waited for our room, which wasn’t ready until 14:00. Before settling into our accommodations, we enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch and took some leisure time to explore the beautiful surroundings.
The highlight of our first day was undoubtedly the exhilarating 2-hour game drive. We spotted incredible wildlife and our knowledgeable guide shared fascinating insights about the reserve’s ecosystem. As the day came to an end, we indulged in another mouthwatering buffet dinner before participating in the star-gazing activity.
The next day, we woke up bright and early for a thrilling 1.5-hour game drive at 7 am. After the game drive, we treated ourselves to a hearty buffet breakfast before checking out of our room at 10 am. At 12:30, the minibus transfer arrived, marking the end of our unforgettable two-day Aquila Safari Reserve Tour.
Can you do a one-day safari from Cape Town?
Yes, it can be done with Aquila Reserve as well. If you are looking for just a game drive experience, there are a lot of other in-day options from Aquila. For example, an afternoon game drive would cost you 1,650 R (~ 90 USD). Considering it takes two hours to drive from Cape Town to Aquila, it would still recommend at least a 2 day 1-night package.
The Aquila Reserve Game Drive
The highlight of the Aquila Safari Reserve was surely the game drive.
Spanning an impressive 10,000 hectares, Aquila Safari Reserve is home to the legendary Big Five animals: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos. But that’s not all! The reserve is also teeming with other native African species, including zebras, hippos, ostriches, eland, wildebeest, springbok, and many more.
During our game drive, we were fortunate enough to encounter four of the Big Five—lions, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos. Getting up close and personal with these incredible wildlife creatures was a truly awe-inspiring experience. We were amazed as the rhinos strolled right in front of our vehicle, seemingly unbothered by our presence. It was fascinating to observe how the animals had their preferred spots and routines each day.
Surprisingly, we spotted more animals during the evening game drive than the early morning one. During the evening game drive, we were treated to some remarkable sightings. We got to see zebras, elephants, and rhinos up close, all while feeling reassured that the lions were kept in a separate enclosure to ensure the safety of other wildlife. Our ranger provided detailed explanations about the animals’ behavior and natural habitats. We had the opportunity to stop and observe the animals for a while, allowing us to truly appreciate their beauty and grace.
After an hour of witnessing these incredible creatures, we took a break at a designated spot. They provided us with a variety of snacks, including dates, nuts, biltong, and dried fruits. And for drinks, we had the choice of hot coffee (black and white), tea, or even a glass of wine.
Is the buffet at Aquila Game Reserve worth it?
There are three buffets for the 2 day one-night package of Aquila Reserve. It includes a breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet. While it is not a 5-star hotel-level buffet, it definitely has a decent amount of choices for vegetables, buffets, and desserts.
We had the pleasure of enjoying a delightful lunch buffet and a dinner buffet on Day 1, followed by a satisfying breakfast buffet on Day 2. While the food selection wasn’t extensive, we found the dishes to be quite tasty.
During the lunch buffet, we indulged in roasted shrimp, potatoes, various vegetables, refreshing salads, and jasmine rice. The dessert spread was a treat, featuring delectable options like tiramisu, fresh fruits, tempting brownies, and an assortment of cakes.
One of our favorite aspects was the option to dine outdoors, which offered a stunning view right next to the swimming pool. To add to the charm, two adorable little cats kept us company during our meals, making the experience even more enjoyable.
The dinner buffet showcased delicious fried chicken, fried prawns, savory Shanghai beef ribs, fresh salads, and potatoes. Since it was Christmas day, the restaurant had thoughtfully prepared small gifts for the visitors, which were placed on each table. It was such a sweet gesture that added to the festive atmosphere.
The breakfast buffet greeted us with a satisfying spread of fried mushrooms, ketchup beans, tomatoes, fresh bread, sausages, and eggs prepared. I think the buffet was nice.
Other facilities in Aquila Reserve
There are a lot of other to-dos during your stay in Aquila Reserve.
The Complimentary Swimming Pool at Aquila Reserve
One of the highlights of our stay was the large swimming pool next to the restaurant. The pool offered a breathtaking view and served as a perfect backdrop for a relaxing swim. The only drawback was the cold water due to the weather, but it didn’t diminish our enjoyment of the stunning surroundings.
The Complimentary Star-Gazing Activity at Aquila Reserve
During the first night of our stay, there is a star-gazing activity. There you can enjoy a full sky of stars along with complimentary roasted marshmallows.
The Complimentary Children’s Entertainment Area at Aquila Reserve
If you are travelling with a Kid, there is an Aquila Safari Reserve had a dedicated Children’s Entertainment Area near the game pick-up point. It was the perfect spot for kids to have a blast while the adults could relax and unwind.
One of the highlights was the Mini Golf Course, with the equipment available for borrowing at the indoor center. It provided endless fun and entertainment for both kids and adults alike.
Another exciting feature was the Giant Chess Set, which not only offered a fun and challenging game but also provided a fantastic opportunity for Instagram photos.
For the little ones, there were delightful options like the Wooden Playground and the Indoor Play Area. These thoughtfully designed spaces allowed children to play around and enjoy themselves to the fullest.
Is there a gym at Aquila Reserve?
No there is no gym facility at Aquila Reserve.
Is there an SPA at Aquila Reserve?
Yes, there is a SPA facility in the Aquila Reserve. The price is not cheap but reasonable. The menu and price are transparent on the official website.
Which room type is worth at Aquila Reserve?
The most economical room type is the standard lodge for 2,300 R (~128 USD). However, it is usually overbooked and I would recommend you to go for the Karoo Cottage instead. It costs a bit at 2,725 R (~151 USD). However, you would enjoy a beautiful spacious cottage for your stay (more safari-like). It had an outdoor area with comfortable bench chairs, allowing us to relax and enjoy the stunning views. Apart from the indoor bathtub, it also has an outdoor shower facility for you to take a shower in the wild.
Other information regarding Aquila Safari Reserve
What should you wear?
When going on game drives at Aquila Safari Reserve, I recommend wearing comfortable clothing in neutral tones. During my visit in late December, despite it being summer, the reserve’s vast and borderless terrain made it significantly cooler than the city center. So, it’s important to dress warmly and layer your clothing to ensure your comfort throughout the drive. Additionally, Aquila Safari Reserve provides blankets in the vehicles, so don’t hesitate to ask your ranger for one if you feel chilly during the game drive. Since the reserve is an outdoor environment, it’s also essential to bring insect repellent to protect yourself from any pesky bugs that may be present.
When is the best time to go to Aquila Safari Reserve?
Aquila Private Game Reserve is a year-round destination, with each season offering its charm. If you’re looking for optimal game viewing, I would recommend coming in the dry winter months as there would be less rainfall and increased animal sightings.
How do I get from Cape Town to Aquila Game Reserve?
The distance from Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve is around 125 miles. It means around 2 hours on the road. If you are not renting a car, I recommend you book the transportation directly from the Aquila Safari Reserve. The transportation cost is 1550 R (~ 86 USD) pp for a round trip. Using theicial transportation is not only safe, but the driver is also good at time management to ensure a toilet stop in-between and arrival before the starting of the buffet.
Is it safe to drive to Aquila Game Reserve?
The road itself is in general safe. But driving is not recommended given the chances that you may wrongly drive in the dangerous suburbs of Cape Town.
If you have to your vehicle, for the directions to Aquila Game Reserve, simply follow the scenic N1 out of Cape Town towards Worcester, passing through the picturesque Cape Winelands. Then, take the R46 Ceres turnoff from the N1, and you’ll find the entrance to the reserve on your left.
Is Aquila Game Reserve Halaal?
Yes they serve Halaal food at the buffet.
Is Aquila Game Reserve Ethical?
Yes. The wild animals inside enjoy spacious space. While ethical question is quite relative, at least they are far better than the safari in Asia that you would see. You wouldnt feel guilty for having a game drive.
Plus, the official website also has multiples CSR projects demonstrating their focus on the issue.
Want some more animal encounters?
The two-day stay at Aquila Safari Reserve was the best-valued safari experience during our Cape Town visit.
Want more (and closer) animal encounters? I highly recommend you check out my comprehensive guide for visiting the South African penguins.
Please leave me a comment on the Safari experience.
Loved this article! Did you find there were any bugs inside your room while staying in the cottage-style rooms?
I didnt see any notable bug and get any mosquito bite during my stay. Probably because I went there during the Christmas time.
In general, the room is well cleaned so it should not be a big concern.
Having said that, the cottage room is located near the safari with ring-fenced, plus there is an outdoor shower area connecting to the bathroom. So I would suggest to bringing a mosquito dispeller as a precaution.