Reflections on our First Safari near Cape Town

Last updated: 2 September 2023

Updated 15 April 2023. If you’re planning a visit to South Africa for the first time and looking to experience something truly epic then you can’t go past a safari near Cape Town on South Africa’s Western Cape. The memory of what we saw and experienced during our safari still stays with us today and we hope that the below article explains all the reasons why.

[lwptoc]

Choosing a Game Reserve near Cape Town

Juggling full time work and our busy schedules meant that for our trip to Cape Town we only had 11 days, including travel days and a multi-day wedding, to explore the Western Cape. As much as I wanted to discover Kruger National Park near Johannesburg or Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth doing so would be at the expense of discovering Cape Town. It just wasn’t going to happen this trip.

So we went in search of a safari  near Cape Town, something that was located only a few hours drive away to fit in with our other plans to discover the region. This being our first safari, there was a convenience factor of game reserves near Cape Town would provide a good introduction and a chance to spot the Big Five.

There are numerous game reserves on the Western Cape so finding one that suits your needs and budget is important. The not-so-good news is that the game parks close to Cape Town are generally smaller with less diversity and numbers than the more famous game reserves of Mpumalanga and Limpopo on South Africa’s Eastern Cape.

Read more: Looking to buy a SIM card in South Africa?

Nevertheless, there is a silver lining that game parks in the Western Cape are all malaria free, unlike Kruger National Park and many of the bigger reserves which come with a higher risk in malaria season.

I always appreciate local intel and a recommendation from a friend, even better when it’s both! The bride for the wedding we were attending is Capetonian, so we heeded her advice and spent one night at the Aquila Private Game Reserve. 

If you’re looking for a day trip from Cape Town to the Aquila Game Reserve without staying overnight then this might be a good option for your trip. 

Safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve near Cape Town

Just two hours by car we found ourselves at Aquila. We booked a one-night safari in a luxury cottage, which included 2 game drives (one afternoon, and one at dawn), meals of lunch, dinner & breakfast noting this isn’t all-inclusive as any drinks needed to be paid for.

Facilities at Aquila included two swimming pools, one with a swim-up-bar, day spa, gift shop and children’s area.

The check-in process was a civilized affair at a permanent open-air building constructed from wood, stone and a thatched roof. We arrived promptly at noon when check-in opened, keen to discover what safari was all about. The process was relatively seamless with a complimentary glass of South African sparkling wine or sparkling apple juice upon arrival and the usual forms to complete. Rooms weren’t available until 2pm so we headed over to the onsite restaurant for lunch.

Food at Aquila comes in the form of a buffet. A vast array of mixed salads, chafing dishes filled with hot options of curry, casserole and a carving station for roast meat. As smoking was permitted outside, we opted for an inside table beside the window, overlooking the pool and onto the reserve. In the distance we had our first glimpse of what was to come. Three giraffes made their way across the plain.

The little girl inside me squealed with delight. This wasn’t a dream, we were REALLY on safari!

Rooms at Aquila Private Game Reserve

Before long it’s 2pm and we grabbed the keys to our luxury cottage. We had some time to unpack before our afternoon sunset safari.

Our luxury cottage was a semi-detached bungalow with a thatched roof. There’s a private patio, a corner bath and a rather funky outdoor open-air rock shower. An elephant made from towels greeted us as we entered and it instantly brought a smile to my face. A safari had been on my bucket list for years and I loved every moment up to that point and the anticipation was only building for what was to come.

Our patio overlooked the reserve. It had potential to be rather impressive with the patio providing a private view of these glorious animals in their own habitat although natural undulations in the earth mean we see nothing more than a small mound and trees so it feels oddly familiar, like the extended backyard of a mates house in Australia.

I grabbed a quick nap on our incredibly comfy bed and move Ellie, our towel elephant, to the side of the room. I don’t have the heart to unfold her.

Sunset Safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve

At check-in we were given a map of the grounds and told to meet at spot B for our safari.  As always, we’re very early and overly eager for what’s to follow. It didn’t occur to me at the time that 50 other people had the same idea and I became instantly anxious about how the process was to unfold with just one safari jeep in sight which seemed to seat 25. There was no orderly British queuing but rather a huddle of enthusiastic people all jostling to be first on.

More jeeps eventually turned up and all was right in the world.  Always conscious of my nausea I popped some of my trusty motion sickness tablets to keep the queasiness at bay, just in  case the safari route went completely off-road. I was to thank myself later for this!

Our sunset game drive was a two-and-a-half hour adventure that would take us all around the reserve. I realised my knowledge of desert dwellers was hugely challenged by this experience, aside from the obvious of rhino, lions, hippos and giraffe, I really didn’t know what I should expect to see.

We set off into the dry arid landscape of the reserve, and before long we’re up close and personal with some of the wildlife. First up was the reserves two resident elephants, a curious ostrich, a herd of springbok, eland, and wildebeest.

Russ and I sat together on one side of the jeep, and as the safari 4×4 approaches the animals. I expect the driver to spin it around to ensure that both sides of the jeep get a view of the wildlife, however this doesn’t happen. Despite having a large telephoto lens, I was frustrated I couldn’t get the shots I wanted, and the jeep jerks a lot over the bumpy rocky path, I was mentally thanking myself for my earlier pill popping otherwise I’d have been very green and feeling quite ill.

Further into the game drive we spotted rhinos in the distance and zebras, both of which we’re told we’ll see closer in the morning.

About 90 minutes into the game drive, we stopped to get out at a dedicated purpose-built rest area for a drink. Drinks of alcoholic and soft drinks were provided along with some small sweet snacks. I must admit even the bathrooms were surprisingly modern for the middle of the desert. There’s not much to see or do at the rest stop, I sipped on my sparkling apple juice and people-watched as fellow visitors took photos in the afternoon sun.

We jumped back in our jeep and headed to our final stop as the sun began to set, we were off to the lion enclosure At Aquila, the pride of lions are segregated from the rest of the reserve with a fenced enclosure about ten percent of the total property size.

I was excited and really keen to see these glorious big cats in their own environment, as to date I’ve only ever seen them in a zoo. As is often typical, they’re lazy creatures and we found them resting and snoozing not far from our entry gate.

They seemed entirely unfazed by our intrusion into their sanctuary. Opening one eye or lifting their head to scope us out and nothing more. I don’t want to disturb them, but as we depart I hope they’ll be more active for our dawn safari the following morning.

Returning to the camp our jeep pulled up nearby to our cottage. I dropped all my camera equipment off before we head to the main lodge in time for dinner.

It’s another buffet slightly bigger than that of lunch. Again much of the same, meat, salads, and a rather uninspiring dessert selection. There’s a cheese board which caught my eye and brought a smile to my face, but on closer inspection it’s less appealing with numerous flies crawling over it. I immediately lost my appetite and passed at the thought of my favourite savoury dessert being contaminated by flying insects.

After dinner there was stargazing offered on the front lawn. When I heard that they offered it, I expected the stars to be the brightest I’ve ever seen, with no light pollution from nearby cities or towns there’s nothing between us and the stars above. That is unless you’re unlucky like us and your night at Aquila coincides with thick cloud cover. The night of our stay there was nothing to see through the giant telescopes, so much for nothing between us and the stars above. Alas no stargazing for us.

We head back to our little cottage and called it a night before our early start the following day.

Dawn Safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve

It’s rare for me to be up early, especially before the sun rises. It has to be something pretty special, like a safari, to get me out of bed that early. So the next morning we’re up before sunrise for our second, and final, game drive.

Again there’s a large group of eager people milling about the assembly point for pick up. We’re offered granulated coffee which I just can’t stomach ever, let alone before dawn comes. I long for an espresso as I sit on a rock awaiting our 4×4 safari jeep.

A similar crowd huddles together as the vehicles arrive. We’ve scored a different seat in the jeep, a few familiar faces from the day before and a different drive/guide who was quite obviously not as interested in providing us any detail about the landscape, animals, or the safari park, a retrogression from the previous day.

In an attempt at being strategic, we chose the opposite side of the jeep from the previous day, thinking it would yield a better view of the wildlife. In actual fact, it did not. And the seat was noticeably smaller making it more challenging to swivel to get the shots I wanted, while Russ sat half on a metal bar throughout – not exactly comfortable over those rocky roads!

The wildlife was very active in the morning, rhinos, including the baby white rhino calf which was born in December 2018, were very curious by our presence and keen to play with one another and their mummas.

Our jeep stopped near a little lake on the property, not much to see at first glance until our driver spotted some hippos submerged in the water who proved to be quite elusive for the camera. Our driver got out of the vehicle, disturbing the still water of the lake to get some attention of the hippos.

Our final stop for the dawn safari was back to the lion enclosure. To my delight they were slightly more active than the day before, rather than sleeping they’re engaging with one another, but ignoring us entirely.

Our morning game drive lasted 90 minutes although the discomfort from sitting on a metal bar made it feel like an age.

Once we’re back at the base, it was time to pack our bags, have breakfast and check out.

Given the two uninspiring buffets we experienced so far, we didn’t bother with breakfast and quickly make our way back to Cape Town.

How to get to Aquila

I would highly recommend you hire a car when visiting the Western Cape. Discovering this region is easier and hassle-free with your own transfers. However if you don’t/can’t drive then there are some game reserves, like Aquila, which offer transfers from Cape Town.

Activities other than Safari

In between game drives there is quite a bit of downtime. Those content to have a swim or read from sun chairs overlooking the reserve will be relaxed and calm, there is a day spa for offering treatments to up your relaxation.

For those seeking more lively activities, Aquila offers additional pursuits like horse riding or ATV/quad bike for those with a more generous schedule.

The Verdict

For our first safari there was a lot that was new in terms of experiences. The safari experience itself was amazing, I loved being able to see these animals in their natural environment at a safari near Cape Town without having to travel to the main game reserves on the Eastern Cape. Also, our luxury cottage accommodation was lovely, very private and quiet.

However, if you’re not staying at Aquila but interested in organising a day trip from Cape Town to the Aquila Game Reserve then that can be easily booked and organised. 

Acknowledging this is my first safari experience, so I have nothing to compare it to, I found the food to be disappointing and, quite frankly, rather basic for a property that markets itself as four star. There is room for improvement here.

The size of the jeeps, the size of seats and those god-awful metal bars, the fact that they’re packed with people and the challenge to get the photos you desire does impact some of the ‘wow’ factor. 

I will safari again because it was truly amazing seeing all the animals in their own environment, but I will ask more questions next time now that I have an understanding of what to expect on a safari adventure. 

The Essentials | Aquila Private Game Reserve

• Where: R46, Touws River, 6880, South Africa
• Price Point: £200 per room/per night – including meals and two game drives
• More Information or To Book: Aquila

Looking for other things to do in South Africa? Try some of these bestsellers