About Us

A game reserve, also known as a wildlife reserve or game park, is a designated conservation area that is home to various native animal species, indigenous flora and region-specific natural habitats. In order to be regarded as a “big 5 game reserve”, a reserve must be home to ALL FIVE of Africa’s largest and most famous animal species: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos. 

There are also many habitat requirements, environment regulations and safety protocols needed for large and dangerous wildlife to live freely on a reserve. A game reserve exists specifically for the preservation and conservation of wildlife. And, a lot of time, funding and work goes into running a big 5 game reserve. Not only must the animals be secured in a safe and controlled area, but there is also lot of science and research that goes into keeping the animals healthy and within the ideal animal carrying capacity for the area.

Aquila Private Game Reserve is so much more than just an unforgettable wildlife experience, it’s a luxurious South African adventure acclaimed for service excellence, renewable energy, social responsibility efforts, and conservation programmes. Many awards and accolades over the years have reaffirmed Aquila’s conservation and community upliftment projects.

The reserve recently received the “Skal International Sustainable Tourism Award“ for its various projects and policies aimed at finding the perfect balance between tourism, conservation, and the local Touws River community. Aquila is fully committed to social upliftment, job creation, skills development and various sustainability programmes. To learn more about our local community initiatives and social responsibility campaigns, please follow the link below.

Aquila Private Game Reserve traces its origins back to 1999, when its visionary owner, Searl Derman, sought to share his passion for wildlife and conservation with Cape Town. Driven by his goal to reintroduce South Africa’s magnificent Big 5 animals to the Western Cape, he set out to find the perfect piece of land. He was fortunate to come across a nearby nature reserve that would later become Aquila Private Game Reserve.

What started as a sanctuary for various antelope species has evolved into a thriving home to the Big 5: elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino, and leopard that roam freely on the reserve. Today, Aquila offers guests an unforgettable Big 5 safari that can be enjoyed as a day trip tour or an immersive, overnight experience. Take the opportunity to visit us on your next trip to Cape Town, see South Africa’s incredible wildlife in person, and learn more about what makes Aquila Safaris the Western Cape’s leading wildlife reserve.