Aquila Private Game Reserve
» Tourist Attractions (38)
»» Animals & Nature (15)
» Safari Lodges (8)
» Conference Venues (22)
Overview
R46, Touwsrivier, West Coast, Cape Town 6880phone: view phone+ 0861 7373783
fax: view fax+27 21 426 4417
website: http://www.aquilasafari.com
e-mail: send an e-mail
Description
Aquila – a wildlife oasis
In the heart of the dramatic and alluring landscape of the mystical Karoo is a place that beckons adventure, romance and the call of the wild. The prestigious 4-star malaria free Aquila Private Game Reserve invites guests to cleanse mind, body and soul in Big 5 territory while experiencing first hand the many educational and conservation projects underway. This year the reserve was honoured with a ‘CACH ETHOS Certification' due to its high standard of lion conservation.
Aquila has become synonymous for a real African experience, real close to Cape Town. Just under a two-hour drive from the Mother City set on pristine Southern Karoo Highlands the reserve is perfectly positioned for an affordable day or overnight visit as well as an ideal wedding, honeymoon, romantic getaway and even boutique conference venue.
The 4, 500 hectare reserve offers views of dramatic mountains, deep valleys, crystal clear rivers, a large wetland area and rocky kloofs teaming with the Big 5. Guest are afforded four types of accommodation many of which are built from rock, thatch and wood, in keeping with Aquila's policy to respect and blend with the environment, with every conceivable comfort offered such as roaring log fires, wooden viewing decks, air conditioning, crisp percale linen, mini bars, rock bathrooms and some with alfresco rock showers.
The jewel in Aquila's crown, perched atop a hill, is the magnificent Honeymoon Suite that boasts a romantic sunken bath, positioned under a large glass window to soak in the awe inspiring vista, a roaring log fire and the pièce de résistance - an alfresco rock Jacuzzi on a private terrace where one can enjoy a glass of Champagne at sunset while watching large herds of wildlife pass by.
The reserve is home to the Big 5 offering an enormous quantity and variety of game – elephant, rhino, lion, rare mountain leopard and buffalo as well as giraffes, large herds of zebra, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, warthog, eland, springbok, blesbok, ostriches, gemsbok, steenbok, blesbok, klip springer, duiker, greybuck, baboon, black backed jackal, caracal (lynx), bat eared fox, hippos, crocodiles and other indigenous game. The rare black eagle has made Aquila its home in the rocky kloofs and during the rainy season, many migratory birds stop en route giving guests a once in a lifetime experience.
A two to three hour game drive also offers the opportunity to view Khoi-San rock art dating back over 10,000 years. For those looking for further adventure, horseback and quad-bike safaris offer a more up close encounter.
As part of their conservation effort, Aquila's highly successful cheetah program, currently offers a free educational introduction to the cheetahs, highlighting the plight of the free ranging big cat and their critically diminishing numbers. The cheetahs were captive bred and not ‘born free' nor do they form part of Aquila's game drive and the experience is strictly controlled and in the interest of cheetah survival worldwide. Guests however are not allowed to directly interact with the cheetahs but are given a comprehensive talk on the plight of these beautiful cats. Other projects include the Aquila Riverine Rabbit Relief conservation project and the Aquila Black Eagle monitoring project aside from the ongoing efforts to protect the rare and endangered Cape mountain leopard. Other projects planned for 2008 are to build a rehabilitation centre.
Aquila is a place for all seasons especially during the flower season when the reserve displays a splendid Technicolor carpet of Karoo flowers. At dusk, Aquila takes on a new life under a canopy of African stars set against a dramatic velvet sky. Due to the reserves ideal location, star gazing has become popular with guests due to the clarity of the vast African sky.
Aquila's Executive Chef has created authentic South African buffet feasts such as traditional lamb spit braai's, potjiekos, home made breads, a plethora of salads and mouth-watering desserts so guests can experience true African cuisine.
Aquila makes the perfect day trip and overnight visit from Cape Town and has been hailed by both visitors and media as a ‘must see' when visiting the Mother City. A daily shuttle service from all major Cape Town hotels runs daily for day visits which include breakfast, lunch, a 2-3 hour game drive with a Khoi San rock art tour, or choose to stay overnight for a full Aquila experience. A fly-in safari package is also available for those wising to make the Aquila experience all that more special.
