Aquila Private Game Reserve is a 4-star luxury game reserve and lodge committed to offering guests an educational experience about the importance of wildlife conservation.

Over the years, Aquila Private Game Reserve has gone to massive efforts and expense to source and re-introduce wildlife into the Cape region so that local residents and visitors alike can benefit from same and we are therefore proud to offer our visitors an opportunity to experience a Big 5 safari.

Located in the picturesque Karoo area of the Western Cape, approximately 130km from Cape Town, Aquila offers a variety of accomodation and safari packages, including day trips and single fly-in safaris from Cape Town. It also makes an ideal conference facility far removed from the bustle of the city.

Aquila Private Game Reserve offers 3 different types of luxury accommodation:

Premier Luxury Chalets: These units are privately situated and have been built into the hillside with the natural rock featuring in the bathrooms and outdoor showers. They are constructed from wood, stone and thatch and feature fans, air conditioners, mini bars and fireplaces. The en suite bathrooms are all unique, with twin hand basins, bath and toilet. Each unit has its own patio with excellent views. The honeymoon suite boasts a Jacuzzi with spectacular views across the reserve.

Luxury Chalets: These units are semi detached with attention paid to privacy. They are under thatch and feature exterior stone work using raw material from the area. They all have fans as well as a feature "coal" stove. Chalets have tea and coffee making facilities, a mini bar and the best quality percale linen is used throughoutThe large en suite bathrooms feature corner baths with outdoor showers.

Buch Cottages: Situated in the actual veld of the reserve adjacent to the wetlands area. Originally the reserve staff cottages, these have been beautifully restored and are also equipped with mini bars, fans and uninterrupted views of the reserve and its inhabitants.

Other Aquila Private Game Reserve facilities include:

• Spacious, high ceilinged restaurant
• Cigar Bar
• Pool Bar
• Saltwater swimming pool
• Children's Aventure Area
• 3 outdoor bomas
• Curio shop.

Meals are served in Aquila's stunning restaurant, which has been built from natural materials found on the reserve such as rocks, river pebbles, reeds, wood and thatch to blend with the surrounding environment. This spacious, high ceilinged, African character building with large fireplaces is the perfect setting for the superb buffet meals served.

All meals are prepared by an internationally acclaimed chef and traditional meals are offered as well as the standard fare. Catering for special dietary requirements is provided. The restaurant can seat up to approximately 250 people.

Having been proclaimed a Nature Reserve in 1985, Aquila's terrain is in pristine condition, consisting of Renoster Veld, Mountain Fynbos and succulent vegetation types found in three beautiful valleys. Situated in the Karoo, with wide open spaces, Aquila's 4,500 hectare reserve has a natural wetland and is protected by majestic mountains and valleys, which makes for varied and ideal game viewing.

Activities on the Aquila reserve include:

Game Drives: Morning and evening game drives with qualified field rangers in open 4x4 vehicles. Game drives range between two and three hours with sparkling wine, grape juice, water and snacks such as biltong, ?droewors?, nuts and dried fruits served at various lookout points. There will only be snacks on the 16h00 game drive, but drinks on all the others.

Horse-back Safari: One of the best ways to see the animals on the Reserve is from horseback. You are accepted by the animals as one of their own and are able to get closer to most game on the Reserve. No experience is required. Minimum age requirement is 16 yrs old. There is a maximum of 9 people per safari, they are guided by one of our rangers.

Quad bike Safari: Minimum age requirement is 16 yrs old. There is a maximum of 10 people per safari guided by two rangers. 1 client per vehicle. Duration: 2 hours

Activities in close proximity to Aquila

The little Karoo enjoys sunshine most of the year. Summers are dry and warm, winters are dry and crisp. The prevailing weather lends itself to long walks, hiking, cycling and other sports activities.

Matjiesfontein Village: This historic village has a rich background, dating back to its roots in the late nineteenth century. From its ties with the Boer War, to the pioneering spirit engendered by its founder, James Logan, it is steeped in the history of an era, the echoes of which still reverberate through the streets and buildings. A double-decker London Bus makes a daily tour of the Matjiesfontein Village.

Karoo National Park: Large herds of antelope and abundant bird life. The Park offers a Fossil Trail, which has wide walkways for wheel chairs and Braille board inscriptions for the convenience of the blind and taped commentary is available for disabled visitors who have their own cassette players. Gondwanaland is explained, and along this 400m route, there are superb examples of fossilised mudstone, silified trees and a wide variety of fossils, most of which have been found in the Beaufort Series of rock formations.

4x4 Mountain trails: There are many mountain trails in the Karoo and Breede river area. The most popular one and also nearest to Aquila is Leeuwenboschfontein with route distance of 18 km (4-5 hours). Maximum of 20 vehicles allowed.

Golf: De Doorns offers a 9 hole course. With 18 hole courses at both Ceres and Worcester.

Trout Fishing and Cherry Picking: Can also be arranged from the Reserve.

The Conference Centre, Boma Restaurant & Cigar Bar, as with the Luxury Cottages, are built from natural materials found on the Reserve such as rocks, river pebbles, reeds, wood and thatch to blend with the surrounding environment. The natural setting will afford the Conference delegate a tranquil ambience in which to host functions such as AGM's, Teambuilding courses, Product launches etc. The Conference Centre can comfortably accommodate 40-80 delegates for a myriad of function formats.

Catering and bar facilities: All hot meals are prepared by Aquila's internationally acclaimed Executive Chef and served in a African boma-styled indoor/outdoor restaurant with majestic Karoo Mountains and valleys as an idyllic backdrop.

Platters can be served in our conference area with tea, coffee and/or other beverages. All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided on request.

Conference equipment: This consists of a television, DVD, VCR, Overhead Projector, Flip Chart, White Board. Other specialised equipment can be arranged on request.

Other services: Aquila's dynamic Sales and Marketing team will be only to keen to assist you with all your functions, special events and conferencing needs. Any requirements can be accommodated within the premises to make your event as memorable as possible.

Packages: Customised packages available on request

• All rates are quoted in ZAR (SA Rand) Vat inclusive
• All rates are quoted per person
• For single supplement, add 50% of rate
• Many other rates (including day trips) and accommodation options are available. Please contact for more information
• Exclude beverages, telephone/facsimile, laundry, mini bar, curio shop, optional excursions and gratuity
• All children welcome, under 4 no charge, 4-11 years at 1/2 price and 12+ at full rate
• Check-out time at 10h00 on day of departure and check-in time from 14h00 on day of arrival.