Aquila Game Reserve day trips from Cape Town are one of the best ways to see the iconic “Big Five” and other wildlife. The game reserve is less than 2 hours away from Cape Town’s city center, and is home to a wide variety of endangered species.

Over the years, Aquila Game Reserve has been visited by various celebrities— including the likes of Paris Hilton, Margaret Thatcher, Katie Holmes, MC Hammer and many other famous faces.

The game reserve offers world-class facilities and is home to zebra, wildebeest, springbok, ostrich and hundreds of other species, including the “Big Five” (lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant and leopard).

Here's all you need to know about Aquila Game Reserve, one of the most exciting day trips from Cape Town.

How to get to Aquila Game Reserve from Cape Town?

Aquila Private Game Reserve is around 180 kilometers east of Cape Town, near the area of Touws River.

From Cape Town to Aquila Game Reserve by car

Driving from Cape Town to Aquila Game Reserve is relatively straightforward. Simply head east on the N1 away from Cape Town for around 130 kilometers and then turn left onto the R46.

After around 3 kilometers, you’ll find Aquila Game Reserve on your left.

The entire journey should take less than 2 hours.

Guided tour to Aquila Game Reserve from Cape Town

Joining a guided tour to Aquila Game Reserve is a great way to get to the game reserve and make the most of your time there.

Your professional guide picks you up and takes you to the game reserve in a comfortable vehicle— picking you up from your hotel.

Most excursions last around 8 hours, including travel times.

What is the typical itinerary?

Most day trips from Cape Town to Aquila Game Reserve follow a similar itinerary.

You’ll be picked up from your Cape Town hotel by your guide and driven to the game reserve in an air-conditioned vehicle — enjoying the beautiful South African landscape along the way.

Once at the reserve, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive game drive in an open vehicle, where you’ll have the chance to spot over 170 animal species as you make your way around the reserve.

Most tours end with a delicious lunch at the game lodge before you are taken back to your accommodation in Cape Town.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Aquila Game Reserve?

When booking an Aquila Game Reserve day trip from Cape Town, you’ll find that there are a few different types of tours available including guided tours, group tours and even multi-day tours.

Guided tours to Aquila Game Reserve from Cape Town

Join a group of like-minded travelers as you make your way from Cape Town to Aquila Game Reserve with your guide for the day. Group tours are an affordable and enjoyable way to experience one of South Africa’s top game reserves.

Shuttle transfer without guide to Aquila Game Reserve from Cape Town

Shuttle transfers offer a private driver to take you to Aquila Game Reserve for the day. Once at the reserve, you can book one of the wildlife safari tours or make use of the spa. On the way back to Cape Town, you’ll be given the option to enjoy a wine tasting at your own expense.

Private tour to Aquila Game Reserve from Cape Town

Private tours to Aquila Game Reserve from Cape Town cater to the needs of you and your travel companions. You’ll enjoy a hotel pickup and you and your private group will spend the day enjoying all that the game reserve has to offer.

2-Day tour to Aquila Game Reserve plus Robben Island from Cape Town

Make the most of your time in South Africa’s Western Cape by booking a 2-day tour that explores Aquila Game Reserve as well as the famous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned.

How much does a day trip to Aquila Game Reserve from Cape Town cost?

Private roundtrip transfers from Cape Town to Aquila Game Reserve typically cost around US$140 per person.

For this price, your driver will wait for you while you enjoy your time at the reserve and take you back to Cape Town once you are finished.

Standard group tours to Aquila Game Reserve from Cape Town typically cost around US$160 per person, including hotel transfers and a guided safari.

Private tours, with the same inclusions, usually cost upwards of US$200 per person.

Multi-day trips that visit various locations, including Aquila Game Reserve, usually cost between US$300 and US$550 per person with accommodation and meals included.

What will you see and do?

Aquila Private Game Reserve is a world-class facility that offers an unforgettable game drive experience to its local and international visitors. You’ll be driven around the reserve in a safari vehicle by one of the reserve’s professional guides.

While it is not guaranteed that you’ll see the “Big Five”, the experienced game rangers go out of their way to ensure you see as many animals as possible while still keeping you safe.

Even if you don’t see all of the Big Five, you’ll still spot a wide variety of other animals.

Some of the animals that you will likely see in the reserve include wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, blesbok, springbok, babboon, duiker and many more. The reserve is home to as many as 170 animal species, so there is certainly a lot to see.

In addition to the many reptiles, mammals and birds, Aquila Game Reserve is also home to hundreds of different plant species. You’ll enjoy views of typically South African landscape that has been kept as natural as possible.

What are the opening times?

Aquila Game Reserve’s reception is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the year.

When is the best time to visit Aquila Game Reserve?

While it is suitable to visit Aquila Game Reserve at any time during the year, the ebay time to visit the game reserve is during spring (September to November). This is when the weather is mildest and flowers are in full bloom.

Travel tips

Book your Aquila Game Reserve day trip from Cape Town in advance to avoid disappointment.
Bring your camera to capture photographs of South African wildlife.
Protect yourself from the sun by packing sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
Wear comfortable walking shoes for walking around the reserve.

Aquila Reserve: Day Trips and Tours from Cape Town