Aquila Private Game Reserve & Spa

Cape Town, South Africa

Virgin rating

Standard Lodge
Standard Lodge
Standard Lodge
Restaurant
Premier Lodge
Premier Lodge
Premier Lodge
Premier Lodge
Pool
Pool bar
Karoo Cottage
Karoo Cottage
Karoo Cottage
Karoo Cottage
Restaurant
Family Luxury cottages
Family Luxury Cottages
Family Luxury Cottages
Family Luxury Cottages
Premier Cottage
Premier Cottages
Premier Cottage
Premier Cottage
Kids play area
Kids play area
Kids play area
Curio Shop
Spa
Standard Lodge
Standard Lodge
Standard Lodge
Restaurant
Premier Lodge
Premier Lodge
Premier Lodge
Premier Lodge
Pool
Pool bar
Karoo Cottage
Karoo Cottage
Karoo Cottage
Karoo Cottage
Restaurant
Family Luxury cottages
Family Luxury Cottages
Family Luxury Cottages
Family Luxury Cottages
Premier Cottage
Premier Cottages
Premier Cottage
Premier Cottage
Kids play area
Kids play area
Kids play area
Curio Shop
Spa

The hotel

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 African 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 all accommodation types do not include 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.

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 for an overnight stay. With en-suite bath and shower, and reserve views from the bath. 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 experiences, 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. Poolside bar.

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.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (379)
  • Very good (212)
  • Average (157)
  • Poor (98)
  • Terrible (116)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A beautiful and exciting place for a safari adventure

Apr 14, 2024 MiriEgg Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

We had expected this place to be massive - but it wasn't. It was friendly, clean and spacious with beautiful views overlooking the reserve. We chose a room on the third floor with an interconnecting room for the kids and found this perfect with a luxurious bathroom, bed linen and incredible view from our balcony for sundowners! The dining hall… Read more
We had expected this place to be massive - but it wasn't. It was friendly, clean and spacious with beautiful views overlooking the reserve. We chose a room on the third floor with an interconnecting room for the kids and found this perfect with a luxurious bathroom, bed linen and incredible view from our balcony for sundowners! The dining hall was a little crowded at meal times but we always found a table. The food choice from the buffets was good, piping hot and topped up frequently. The drinks staff were friendly and efficient and being a family who dislike buffets, found this a surprisingly good experience. We were staying for 2 nights so had use of the spa - very highly recommended as this had a small pool in a secluded garden for spa users only as well as the 2 indoor pools (one warm and the other freezing). As for the safaris - we had Nicolas who was brilliant and found us 3 of the big 5! The truck was rickety but we loved it - the scenery was beautiful. We booked private tours for our full day - and wow! Our guy found us everything we wanted - giraffe and .... lions! The 3 females and the 1 male! We loved Aquila - it was perfect for us as a family of 4 and would recommend to anyone!! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Horrible experience

Apr 8, 2024 BellaMaePop Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Horrible experience. Total tourist trap, way overpriced, cafeteria style food, nothing luxurious at all about this place. Rooms are outdated, cold, heater stinks when trying to get it to work, balconies full of pigeon excrement, exposed and buzzing electrical boards in the room, pathetic array of animals. Quite sad to think we paid in excess of… Read more
Horrible experience. Total tourist trap, way overpriced, cafeteria style food, nothing luxurious at all about this place. Rooms are outdated, cold, heater stinks when trying to get it to work, balconies full of pigeon excrement, exposed and buzzing electrical boards in the room, pathetic array of animals. Quite sad to think we paid in excess of 600 dollars for one night. Avoid at all costs Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Lots of animals and a great driver

Apr 2, 2024 armin_h73 Brunn am Gebirge, Austria

We went as a day guest for the early morning safari at 7am. After a nice breakfast, we started our safari with Mr. Josh as our driver and tour guide. We had a lot of close animal encounters (elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, giraffe, ...). Josh had a great knowledge where and when to find the animals and explained a lot about them. We took a lot… Read more
We went as a day guest for the early morning safari at 7am. After a nice breakfast, we started our safari with Mr. Josh as our driver and tour guide. We had a lot of close animal encounters (elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, giraffe, ...). Josh had a great knowledge where and when to find the animals and explained a lot about them. We took a lot of great fotos and videos and really enjoyed our time there. Josh made sure both sides of the car had their chance to see the animals and take good fotos. Thank you Aquila and Josh for a great and special experience Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Absolutely Beautiful!!!

Mar 23, 2024 Corrain W Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Aquila is a must do for anyone in Cape Town. The place is absolutely beautiful and so serene. a beautiful place to be at one with nature and relax. The staff are all very professional and very friendly. All the staff are willing to go the extra mile and help in anyway they can all with a smile on their face. The rooms are clean and exactly as you… Read more
Aquila is a must do for anyone in Cape Town. The place is absolutely beautiful and so serene. a beautiful place to be at one with nature and relax. The staff are all very professional and very friendly. All the staff are willing to go the extra mile and help in anyway they can all with a smile on their face. The rooms are clean and exactly as you see in the pictures. The food is delicious. The game drives are fantastic. We were there for 3 nights, and we made good use of the Spa. A group of 7 people all had some sort of spa treatment and it was AMAZING!!! thank you for all you did. A special mention of thanks to… Timothy, Simon, Keanu, Marilyn and Tammy. Keanu thank you for taking us safely to the airport the day our transfer driver didn’t show up. You are the best. Thank you all for an amazing time. We will be back one of the days!! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Could’ve been better

Mar 19, 2024 Carlos D

At the start of the tour, it was delightful to observe the hippos and giraffes. However, the mood shifted drastically upon reaching the area where the rhinos were situated. Following the tour guide’s briefing on the rhinos, concern arose when a needle was discovered lodged in one of the baby rhinos. Despite inquiring about the presence of the… Read more
At the start of the tour, it was delightful to observe the hippos and giraffes. However, the mood shifted drastically upon reaching the area where the rhinos were situated. Following the tour guide’s briefing on the rhinos, concern arose when a needle was discovered lodged in one of the baby rhinos. Despite inquiring about the presence of the needle, no one seemed to know why the baby rhino had it. Witnessing this was truly disheartening. Read less