Escape Cape Town for a full-day Big Five safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve, set in the dramatic landscapes of the Western Cape's Karoo.
Travel from Cape Town through spectacular mountain passes and open countryside before arriving at the reserve, where your safari experience includes a buffet breakfast, guided open-vehicle 4x4 game drive, buffet lunch and time to relax before returning to Cape Town.
With the opportunity to search for lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard, this is an ideal way to add an authentic African wildlife experience to your Cape Town holiday without the need to fly to another part of South Africa.
Tour Highlights
- Full-day Big Five safari experience from Cape Town
- Visit Aquila Private Game Reserve
- Approximately 2–3 hour guided open-vehicle 4x4 safari
- Search for lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard
- Opportunity to see a variety of other African wildlife
- Scenic journey through the Cape Winelands and Hex River Valley
- Welcome drinks on arrival
- Buffet breakfast included
- Buffet lunch included
- Visit to the Animal Rescue Centre, subject to the day's programme
- Leisure time at the reserve after lunch
- Browse the African curio shop
- Full-day experience
At a Glance
- Tour Type: Full Day Safari
- Destination: Aquila Private Game Reserve
- Location: Southern Karoo, Western Cape
- Safari: Approximately 2–3 hours
- Safari Vehicle: Open 4x4 game-viewing vehicle
- Meals: Buffet breakfast and buffet lunch included
- Wildlife: Big Five plus other African wildlife
- Duration: Full day
- Departure: Cape Town
Big Five Safari Tour Overview
Your safari adventure begins with the journey from Cape Town into the beautiful interior of the Western Cape. As the city disappears behind you, the scenery changes dramatically from vineyards and mountain ranges to the wide-open landscapes of the Karoo.
Aquila Private Game Reserve covers approximately 10,000 hectares of conservancy in the Southern Karoo and provides visitors with the opportunity to experience African wildlife within easy travelling distance of Cape Town.
On arrival at the reserve, settle in with welcome drinks and a buffet breakfast before preparing for the highlight of your day – your guided safari.
🚙 Open-Vehicle 4x4 Safari
Climb aboard an open safari vehicle and head into the reserve with an experienced game ranger for approximately 2–3 hours of game viewing.
Your ranger will search the reserve for its wildlife while sharing information about the animals, their behavior and the surrounding Karoo environment.
Aquila is home to the legendary Big Five – lion, African elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo and leopard – as well as a variety of other wildlife that may be encountered during the drive.
As with any genuine wildlife experience, the animals roam within the reserve and individual sightings cannot be guaranteed. Every safari is different, which is part of what makes game viewing so exciting.
🦓 Wildlife & Karoo Landscapes
The safari is about far more than simply ticking off the Big Five. Keep watch for other animals and birdlife while enjoying the rugged mountains, plains and semi-arid scenery of the Western Cape's Karoo.
The open safari vehicle provides elevated viewing and excellent photographic opportunities as you travel through the reserve.
🍽️ Lunch & Leisure
After your safari, return to the main lodge area for a buffet lunch. There is then time to relax and enjoy the reserve's facilities before the return journey to Cape Town.
Depending on the day's programme, you may also have an opportunity to visit the Animal Rescue Centre and browse the reserve's African curio shop.
Typical Safari Itinerary
🚐 Morning – Depart Cape Town
Begin your journey from Cape Town towards Aquila Private Game Reserve,
travelling through some of the Western Cape's spectacular mountain and
Winelands scenery.
☕ Approximately 09:00 – Arrive at Aquila
Arrive at the safari center and enjoy a welcome drink before settling in
for breakfast.
🍳 09:00–10:00 – Buffet Breakfast
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the reserve before preparing for your safari.
🚙 Approximately 10:15 – Big Five 4x4 Safari
Meet your ranger and depart in an open safari vehicle for approximately
2–3 hours of game viewing through the reserve.
🦁 Big Five Game Viewing
Search for lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard together with the
reserve's other wildlife while your ranger provides information about
the animals and their environment.
🌿 Animal Rescue Centre
Depending on the day's operating programme, your experience may include
a visit to Aquila's Animal Rescue Centre.
🍽️ Approximately 12:45–13:45 – Buffet Lunch
Return to the lodge and enjoy a buffet lunch.
🏊 Afternoon – Leisure Time
Relax around the main lodge area, enjoy the surroundings or browse the
African curio shop before departure.
🚐 Approximately 16:30 – Depart for Cape Town
Begin the return journey through the Western Cape countryside towards Cape Town.
Times are approximate and may change according to the reserve's operating schedule, traffic, weather and local conditions.
✅ What's Included
- Return transport from Cape Town as specified with your booking
- Entrance to Aquila Private Game Reserve
- Welcome drink on arrival
- Buffet breakfast
- Approximately 2–3 hour guided safari
- Open 4x4 safari vehicle
- Experienced game ranger
- Buffet lunch
- Animal Rescue Centre visit when included in the day's programme
- Leisure time at the reserve
❌ What's Not Included
- Additional drinks
- Personal purchases
- Optional activities not listed as included
- Gratuities
- Private transfers or upgrades unless specifically booked
What to Bring
- Comfortable clothing
- Warm jacket or layers, particularly during winter
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Hat and sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Camera or smartphone
- Binoculars if available
- Money/card for drinks, souvenirs and personal purchases
⚠️Important Safari Information
This is a genuine wildlife experience. Animals move freely within the reserve and sightings of specific species cannot be guaranteed. Your ranger will use their knowledge of the reserve to provide the best possible game-viewing experience on the day.
The safari takes place in an open game-viewing vehicle. Weather conditions in the Karoo can vary considerably between seasons, so we recommend bringing appropriate clothing and an additional warm layer.
Safari times and the order of activities may change according to the reserve's operational requirements and conditions on the day.
Why Book This Safari with Cape Town Day Tours?
Cape Town Day Tours has been helping visitors discover Cape Town and the Western Cape since 2011. We make it easy to add a safari experience to your Cape Town itinerary without arranging separate transport, reserve bookings and logistics yourself.
This full-day tour combines the journey from Cape Town with a professionally operated safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve, allowing you to concentrate on the experience while the day's arrangements are taken care of.
- Convenient Big Five safari experience from Cape Town
- Transport arrangements handled for you
- Guided open-vehicle safari
- Breakfast and lunch included
- Beautiful Western Cape and Karoo scenery
- Local Cape Town-based tour operator
- Cape Town Day Tours established since 2011
- Local assistance before and during your trip
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the safari reserve?
The safari takes place at Aquila Private Game Reserve in the Southern Karoo
of the Western Cape, within driving distance of Cape Town.
Can I see the Big Five on this safari?
Aquila is home to the Big Five – lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard.
However, these are wild animals moving within a large reserve, so sightings
of every species cannot be guaranteed on every game drive.
How long is the safari drive?
The guided open-vehicle safari normally lasts approximately 2–3 hours,
depending on the day's operating conditions.
Is this a full-day tour from Cape Town?
Yes. Allow a full day for the experience, including the journey to and from
the reserve, meals, safari and leisure time.
Are breakfast and lunch included?
Yes. A buffet breakfast and buffet lunch at the reserve are included in
the standard experience.
What type of vehicle is used for the safari?
The game drive takes place in an open safari vehicle designed to provide
excellent visibility for wildlife viewing and photography.
Is this suitable for children?
Yes, families can enjoy the safari. Parents should supervise children
throughout the experience and follow the ranger's safety instructions.
Can we get out of the safari vehicle during the game drive?
Only when and where your ranger advises that it is safe to do so.
Guests must follow the ranger's instructions at all times while inside
the reserve.
What should I wear?
Comfortable casual clothing is recommended. Bring a jacket or warm layer,
particularly for winter and cooler mornings, as the open safari vehicle
can become cold.
Is the safari suitable all year round?
Yes. Safari experiences operate throughout the year, although weather,
vegetation and wildlife behaviour change with the seasons.
Is this the Kruger National Park?
No. Aquila is a private game reserve in the Western Cape. It offers visitors
staying in Cape Town an accessible opportunity to experience a guided
African safari without travelling to the Kruger region.
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