Day Trip Safari FAQ

Aquila's Big 5 Day Trip Safari FAQ

Day Trips from Cape Town

• How far is Aquila from Cape Town?

  Aquila Private Game Reserve & Spa is approximately 175 kilometres from Cape Town, South Africa, making it an ideal day trip or weekend getaway for those seeking a safari experience close to the city. The drive from Cape Town to Aquila takes less than 2 hours, and offers scenic views of the Cape Winelands and the wild Karoo landscape. 

• How do you get to Aquila Private Game Reserve?

  There are two main ways to get to Aquila Private Game Reserve from Cape Town:

  • By car: The drive from Cape Town to Aquila is approximately 2 hours. The most direct route is to take the N1 highway towards Touws River. Once you reach Touws River, follow the signs to Aquila Private Game Reserve. Directions

  • By private transfer: Aquila offers private transfers and return transport from Cape Town to the reserve.

  Here are some additional tips for getting to Aquila Private Game Reserve:

  • Fill up your car with petrol before you leave Cape Town. There are no petrol stations between Cape Town and Aquila.
  • Be aware of the speed limits. The speed limit on the N1 highway is 120 kilometres per hour.
  • Allow extra time for your journey if you are traveling during peak season. The roads can get congested during the school holidays and long weekends.

• How do you book Aquila's return transport service?

  Aquila offers return transportation from Cape Town for Full Day and Afternoon safaris. 

  Please note that our transport services are an additional, paid option. If you’re interested in a return transport service, please select and add-on your preferred transfer option during the booking process. 

• What should you pack for a big 5 safari day trip?

  Pack for your day safari by bringing your outdoor adventure essentials. Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are recommend, and guests are reminded to bring their bathing suits to enjoy our swimming pools and Spa facilities. 

  Binoculars, a camera with extra memory cards and batteries to capture wildlife moments, and a power bank to charge your phone is always handy. Please wear comfortable clothing and closed shoes, and be certain to pack a light jacket (even in warm weather), as the open safari vehicles are exposed to the wind and elements. 

• Can guests self-drive inside the reserve?

  While guests are to drive from Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve & Spa, guests are not able to self-drive inside the reserve, itself. Day visitors are asked to please park their vehicles at Aquila’s safe and secure on-site car park, located near the reserve’s reception area.

  Big 5 guided game drives are included in Aquila’s day trip safari packages. You will be driven through the reserve on traditional, open-air safari vehicles, led by an experienced game ranger.

What's Included?

• How long are Aquila's day trip safaris?

  Day trip safari game drives are typically 2 – 3 hours long. Your game drive will also include a half-way stop for visitors to use the bathroom facilities, take photos against the panoramic backdrop of the reserve, and enjoy complimentary refreshments.

  Please note: Horseback and Quad Bike safari outrides are typically 1 – 2 hours long.

• Are there any meals included in the day safari packages?

  Most packages do include welcome drinks and buffet-style meals at our dedicated day visitor centre & Karoo Vista restaurant. Please read through each package’s details to check all inclusions.

• What's Included in the day trip safari packages?

  Please refer to your chosen day trip safari package to check for inclusions and exclusions.

  Included:

  • Welcome Drinks
  • Guided Safari Game Drives
  • Buffet-Style Meals

  Excluded:

  • Transport to the Reserve
  • Beverages
  • Tranquila Spa Access

• Can guests bring their own food & beverages?

  Guests are not permitted to bring their own food or beverages into the reserve. Rest assured, most of Aquila’s Day Trip Safari packages include buffet-style meals, welcome drinks, and complimentary game drive refreshments. There is also a curio-shop, offering local snacks and beverages for sale.

  Please refer to your specific day trip package for a full list of inclusions and exclusions. Please note that each day trip itinerary may differ depending on the departure time, game drive duration, and seasonal availability.

Aquila's Day Trip Safari Experience

• Does Aquila have the Big 5?

  Yes, Aquila Private Game Reserve is home to all five of the iconic African Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos. Whether you’re on a game drive, a quad bike, or a horseback safari, there’s a good chance you’ll spot one of the Big Five during your visit.

  The reserve is also home to a variety of other African wildlife and native bird species, including giraffes, caracals, zebras, hippos, ostriches, black eagles, springboks, cape foxes, and wildebeest.

• What is the best time of day to go on safari?

  Each day trip safari time offers equal opportunities for wildlife viewing and Big 5 sightings.

  Please note that Aquila Private Game Reserve is a wildlife conservancy and natural safari habitat, so sightings of animals cannot always be guaranteed. However, our experienced rangers will offer day safari guests the best sightings possible, no matter the time of day or the season. 

• Can guests change a half-day safari to full-day safari?

  Half-day safari guests are able to upgrade their half-day safari package to a full-day safari package depending on availability, weather conditions, and timing. Please contact our reservations team or inquire at reception upon your arrival if you wish to request any changes to your booking. Our helpful staff will do their best to assist you.

  Please note: all bookings are made in agreement with Aquila Collection’s terms of trade and cancellation policy. 

• Can guests change a day-trip safari to an overnight safari?

  Day Trip Safari guests are only able to change or extend their day safari to an overnight safari depending on availability and timing. Please contact our reservations team or inquire at reception upon your arrival if you wish to request any changes to your booking. 

  Please note: all bookings are made in agreement with Aquila Collection’s terms of trade and cancellation policy.

Day Trip Safari Facilities

• Can I use the spa facilities as a day visitor?

  Day visitors are free to enjoy our outdoor pools and communal lodge facilities, but Tranquila Spa is an additional offering. 

  Day passes = R290pp which allows guests use of the spa facilities, such as the steam room, sauna and indoor pool, time permitting. You are also welcome to book a treatment when you arrive, for your free time after your game drive (if there is availability). You will not be asked to pay for spa pass if you have booked a treatment to the value of R590pp.

• What day trip facilities does Aquila have?

  Aquila Private Game Reserve offers a variety of family-friendly and world-class safari day trip facilities. The reserve features two outdoor swimming pools, a day visitor centre, a day visitor restaurant, a luxury african spa (featuring a sauna, indoor pool, and steam room) and a fully-equipped conference centre.

  For families with children, Aquila offers a junior ranger programme, an indoor play room, and an outdoor adventure zone, featuring exciting kid-friendly activities, a wooden playground, mini-golf, a giant chess set, and more.

• Is Aquila a family-friendly game reserve?

  Yes, Aquila Private Game Reserve welcomes safari guests of all ages and is a great place for families with children.

  The reserve also offers child-friendly booking rates, including day trip and overnight safari discounts for children, toddlers and babies. Please bring your child’s Identification document, birth certificate, or valid passport upon your arrival. Identification will be checked at reception during check-in. 

  • Children aged 3 and under: free with accompanying adults.
  • Children aged 4 to 11: 50% of the day or overnight per person (pps) rate.
  • Children 12 and older pay adult rates.

• What child-friendly activities does Aquila offer?

  The reserve offers a variety of child-friendly activities, including a Junior Ranger Programme for children aged 4 to 12, a Kids Adventure Zone with mini golf, giant chess, a sandpit, jungle gym and electronic games, and an indoor play area with board games, books and puzzles, video games, arts and crafts, imaginative play, and toy animals and wooden blocks. The reserve also has a childminding service available at an additional charge.

  Children of all ages are allowed on standard traditional 4×4 vehicle safari experiences. However, there is an age restriction of 16 years old for spa access and treatments, quad bike and horseback riding activities.

• Where is Aquila's Day Visitor Centre?

  Aquila Private Game Reserve & Spa has a dedicated Day Visitor Centre (Karoo Vista Centre) located near the reserve’s reception and Tranquila Spa.

  While day guests are encouraged to use Aquila’s communal facilities and pool area, all day visitors and tour groups are required to check-in at the day visitor centre (especially during the busy season). Here, day trip guests will receive welcome drinks, check-in for their big 5 game drive, and sit down to a delicious buffet meal (if included in your day trip package).