Aquila Private Game Reserve Safari Day Trip

If you have only a few days in South Africa and cannot get to Kruger or the Eastern Cape, Aquila is the realistic way to see big game from Cape Town. The private reserve lies in the semi-arid Karoo landscape just under two hours north-east of the city, beyond the mountains and the Hex River valley, in a part of the Western Cape that is free of malaria. It is home to the Big Five, lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo, alongside hippo, giraffe, zebra and antelope such as springbok, and the game drives are run in open safari vehicles with ranger guides. The setting is different from the bushveld of the north: wide, dry plains and rocky koppies under big skies, with the Karoo's own plants and light, and it is beautiful in its own way. Aquila runs morning, afternoon and sunset safaris, and full days that add quad-biking or horseback riding in the Karoo, and it has an animal rescue centre that is part of its conservation work. The Tiqets day trip booked here is run by Simba Beyond Africa Safaris and covers the whole day: return transport in an air-conditioned vehicle from Cape Town, a welcome drink, a game drive of around three hours, a buffet lunch at the lodge and all fees and taxes, in a small group of up to fifteen people, with the meeting point in the Silo District at the V&A Waterfront. The day lasts about eight hours. Be clear about what this is: Aquila is a fenced private reserve rather than open wilderness, and sightings are more predictable than in a large national park. For a first safari, or for families with limited time, that predictability is the point; experienced safari-goers will find it tame.

What the day is like: departures are early, and the drive out takes you over the mountains into the Karoo, which is part of the experience. At the lodge there is a welcome drink before the game drive, then lunch, then the drive back; you are usually in Cape Town by late afternoon. Sightings vary with the season and the animals' movements, but rangers know the reserve well. Bring a warm layer for the open vehicle, especially on early drives and in winter, when Karoo mornings are cold, plus a hat and sunscreen for summer, when the plains are hot. Binoculars help. The Simba Beyond Africa product has a modest number of reviews and the operator's overall rating is mixed, so read recent reviews and check the pickup arrangements when you book.

Alternatives: Aquila also sells its own half-day safaris and overnight stays directly, and staying a night adds a second game drive and the Karoo night sky. If you have a week or more and want a genuinely wild safari, a few days on the Garden Route and in the Eastern Cape's malaria-free reserves, or a flight to Kruger, will be a very different experience. For an afternoon of wildlife closer to the city, the penguins at Boulders and the seals on a Hout Bay boat trip are easier options.

Who it suits: first-time visitors who want to tick off a safari, families with children who would not cope with a long trip north, and anyone with a single free day. It is a long day in a vehicle, so it is less ideal for very young children, and it is not a substitute for a proper safari if wildlife is the main purpose of your trip.