Aquila Private Game Reserve & Spa

Cape Town, South Africa

Virgin rating

The hotel

Imagine days spent viewing the Big 5, and evenings whiled away socialising and stargazing around the firepit - 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: 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, and 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 or quad bike 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.


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 complimentarybottle 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 (367)
  • Very good (209)
  • Average (153)
  • Poor (94)
  • Terrible (113)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A Terrible Experience at the Safari Resort

Nov 22, 2023 souvlakistation Bucharest, Romania

Our recent visit to the safari resort left us with mixed feelings. While there were certainly highlights, a number of drawbacks impacted our overall experience. The safari, conducted in large 18-person vehicles, didn't live up to the captivating images often portrayed on social media. The proximity to animals was not as expected, and the absence… Read more
Our recent visit to the safari resort left us with mixed feelings. While there were certainly highlights, a number of drawbacks impacted our overall experience. The safari, conducted in large 18-person vehicles, didn't live up to the captivating images often portrayed on social media. The proximity to animals was not as expected, and the absence of the branded safari vehicles was a noticeable letdown. Although the safari itself was decent, the inconsistency in animal sightings, with lions missing on the first day, left us wanting more. However, the close encounters with elephants on the second day were a redeeming aspect. Connectivity issues plagued our stay, with non-functional Wi-Fi ( even if they stated on the website and Trip Advisor, that they have High Speed internet and a lack of 4-5G signal. Additionally, an unexpected power outage during our visit added to the inconvenience. Which is believe sometimes is normal The dining experience fell short of expectations. Limited food options, especially during lunch, and the absence of à la carte choices disappointed many guests. The swimming pool, both indoor and outdoor, presented challenges – the outdoor pool was uncomfortably cold in November, and access to the heated indoor pool required an extra fee even for the Hotel guests who paid lots of money to sleep there. Security concerns arose with the luggage room lacking surveillance cameras. The incident at the welcome drink reception, where the staff limited the number of drinks per person, showcased an unwelcoming attitude. Very Rude welcome ladies which gives you the first sign that the whole experience will be terrible! They were upset, angry and disrespectful all the time Despite the resort's beautiful location and architecture, some staff members exhibited rudeness. Basic amenities like the swimming pool bar lacked variety, and breakfast's post-morning safari timing left guests hungry. The safari itself lacked provisions, with no water provided during the 2.5-hour excursion. Dressing warmly is essential for the morning safari, and our driver forgot to mention available blankets. The only commendable aspects were the appealing location, well-designed facilities, and satisfactory dinner. However, the overall experience did not justify the high costs, especially considering the transportation expenses from Cape Town. For those seeking a more economical option, a full-day trip with transportation alternatives might be preferable. Opting for an afternoon safari or sunset visit could provide better value, but don't set high expectations. Signal issues and a lack of music further detracted from the overall experience. In conclusion, the resort may not be worth an overnight stay, and the best value is likely found in shorter excursions. The standout among the staff was Sam, the Duty Manager, whose kindness significantly improved our overall trip experience. Unfortunately, the majority of the staff exhibited a discourteous attitude, making interactions less pleasant. From unhelpful responses to requests to a general lack of hospitality, the staff's behavior fell short of expectations. Sam's exceptional customer service was a notable exception, demonstrating that a positive and welcoming attitude can significantly enhance a guest's experience. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Terrible Customer Experience

Nov 11, 2023 Firmbutfairadvice

Terrible value for money. Terrible organisation. Terrible Customer Service. The Safari was meant to last 2-3 hours, ours was only 1.5 hours. The transfer from Cape Town was 2.5 hours there and 3 hours back, not quite the 2 hours mentioned in the literature. I brought these issues to the managements attention and they said someone would contact… Read more
Terrible value for money. Terrible organisation. Terrible Customer Service. The Safari was meant to last 2-3 hours, ours was only 1.5 hours. The transfer from Cape Town was 2.5 hours there and 3 hours back, not quite the 2 hours mentioned in the literature. I brought these issues to the managements attention and they said someone would contact me. I have emailed them multiple times, but they are ignoring my emails. This is not a company that I would recommend. They are in it just for the money and do not care about customer experience or satisfaction. Save yourself the money and go elsewhere! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Holiday of a lifetime

Nov 1, 2023 162beccag

Our experience at Aquila was outstanding. We had the most amazing trip. The staff were incredible, the hotel is beautiful and the safari drives were unreal. Thankyou for giving us experiences we will never forget.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Mixed Feelings ....

Oct 14, 2023 Caroline L Leeds, United Kingdom

Higher than a 3 but not quite a 4. Mixed feelings, but an honest review (in my opinion). If you want to be almost guaranteed to see animals, then this is a great choice. It is a "private game reserve", the land is privately owned and therefore fenced off, so the animals are basically in a very large safari park. We saw 4/5 of the big five… Read more
Higher than a 3 but not quite a 4. Mixed feelings, but an honest review (in my opinion). If you want to be almost guaranteed to see animals, then this is a great choice. It is a "private game reserve", the land is privately owned and therefore fenced off, so the animals are basically in a very large safari park. We saw 4/5 of the big five (Leopards are supposed to be in the area, but they are solitary and mostly nocturnal so you are unlikely to see them). we also saw Zebra, Giraffe, Hippo etc. The welcome drink is a nice touch, as are the toilet and drinks facility out in the park. I was pleasantly surprised by the food, I really wasn't expecting much, but it was better than nice, and the desserts were great. The Spa looked very good but we didn't use it. My negative feedback is regarding the accommodation, we had an outside shower which was great and very warm (it was an experience i was happy to try) the bed was very comfortable, and the furniture looked new. I felt the bathroom needed a refurb, and the doors and windows were ill fitting, which created Bug problems (Arggghh) (Caroline writing the review, not Craig). It really made it difficult for me to settle and we left before our 2nd night in the accommodation. We were down by the pond and Aquilla even left bug spray and insect repellent in the room (a warning perhaps? and a kindness) We thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and early morning safari's which are the main reason to visit Aquilla. Lovely grounds, and well organized. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Tricked us out of the room we booked and refused to fix it.

Oct 14, 2023 MLouette Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

After a long discussion over email over several months about the room type we had booked and agreed, the property switched the room at the last minute to one of far lower category without telling us. The property accepted (after an hour long argument at reception) that it was a mistake at their end but flatly refused to do anything to fix it.… Read more
After a long discussion over email over several months about the room type we had booked and agreed, the property switched the room at the last minute to one of far lower category without telling us. The property accepted (after an hour long argument at reception) that it was a mistake at their end but flatly refused to do anything to fix it. We are so upset at this underhanded treatment - we've just been met with a lot of shrugging and 'nothing we can do' at reception. We definitely won't be back and really wouldn't recommend. As an aside, the food is dreadful too. Read less