Spend a full day swapping Cape Town’s coastline for open savanna: a wine-and-cheese stop at Fairview, a buffet lunch, and a 2–3 hour open-vehicle game drive at Aquila Private Game Reserve with a chance to see the Big Five.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The morning air is sharp as the minivan peels away from Cape Town’s shoreline and the mountain-silhouette slides behind you. By mid-morning the bus eases onto rural tar, vineyards arriving like ordered green rows; by noon the scrub opens and the Acacia and grasslands of Aquila spread wide. A welcome drink at the lodge, a buffet lunch, then a 2–3 hour open-vehicle game drive where big silhouettes—elephant flanks, buffalo shoulders, lion profiles—move against a low, flat horizon.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required—most of the day is spent seated in a vehicle with short guided walks or viewing stops.
Wildlife
History
Aquila sits on former farmland repurposed for conservation and tourism; the reserve is part of a broader regional effort to reintroduce and protect large mammals in managed private reserves.
Conservation
Entrance fees and tour revenues support anti-poaching, habitat management and species reintroductions—stick to ranger guidance to minimize disturbance and support sustainable tourism.
Reserve your spot on the Aquila Game Reserve Safari with wine tasting, Transport & Lunch today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Pay the reserve entrance fee on arrival
The Aquila entrance fee (~R1,890 pp) is not included and must be paid at the reserve or via the link provided—have cash or a card ready.
Bring binoculars and a zoom lens
Wildlife sightings can be brief; 8–12x binoculars and a 200mm+ equivalent lens significantly improve viewing and photos.
Dress in layers and sun protection
Mornings and late afternoons are cool on the open vehicle while midday can be hot—bring a light jacket, hat and sunscreen.
Motion sickness and bumps
The drive includes gravel and uneven tracks; those prone to travel sickness should prepare with medication and sit where you can see forward.
Binoculars
Helps you pick out distant animals and extend brief sightings.
Telephoto camera lens or zoom
A 200mm+ equivalent brings wildlife closer in photos from the open vehicle.
Sun hat and sunscreen
Prevents sunburn on exposed drives and during outdoor lunches.
summer
Light windproof jacket
Early mornings and late afternoons on the open vehicle can be chilly and windy.
spring