I’ve been looking forward to this part of my trip for so long. When our trip to South Africa became a reality (booking a flight is always that point for me), I knew I would like to take Carmen on some type of African Safari. All South Africans know about the Kruger National Park and some have been lucky enough to experience it at least once. But we would be visiting the Western Cape, specifically near Paarl for most of our trip and a visit to the Kruger will just not work with our timeframe and travel plans. It was time to look at alternatives and Aquila Game Reserve came out top of the list.
Aquila made sense to me for the following reasons:
- A Two Hour Drive from Cape Town
- They Have The Big Five
- They Offer All Inclusive Packages
I booked a one-night stay at Aquila that included all meals, two game drives and a bonus star-gazing experience. We reserved two rooms: one for myself and Carmen to share and one for my parents. They offer other types of accommodation as well that might work better for your family setup, so do check online to see what is available.
Arrival and Welcome
We arrived just after 12:00 pm as instructed via email and received our complimentary glass of sparkling wine right outside the front door. It was apparent that we were in for a treat judging from the fantastic surroundings and super friendly staff. First on the agenda though was lunch – and since we left Strand at 8am that morning and only had a small snack and coffee, I was really hungry and looking forward to this meal.
The dining hall is beautifully decorated and you can’t help but be impressed when you first enter through the doors. Bright light fixtures overhead with exposed roof rafters and the thatched roof – a signature feature on all the Aquila buildings. Multiple fireplaces were visible with the main one front and center. Tables with comfortable seating were already set and more friendly staff were waiting to assist us.
We were treated to a buffet-style lunch packed with multiple options that would satisfy all dietary preferences. Meats, warm sides, cold sides, fresh fruits and vegetables, and fresh bread options, to name just a few. And deserts – so many to choose from!
Check-In and Accommodations
After lunch, we made our way to reception to formally check in. We received our room keys and a staff member accompanied us to our vehicle to show us the way to our parking spot and assist with luggage. Our rooms were on the second level of the Lodge building and faced the breezeway and courtyard where we parked. The Lodge offers three levels and both front or rear-facing rooms, or a combination of the two for families travelling together. The front rooms include balconies overlooking the grounds and the front part of the reserve. Be sure to book these! You can watch the animals walk by right from your balcony.
After unpacking, my parents and I left our rooms to walk around a bit. It was a warm and sunny May afternoon and other guests were swimming, lounging around the pool or also strolling about. We took the paved path down to look at the Premier Cottages to admire the way they were built up on the rocky hills. Then we walked back past the pool to the other side of the property where the Karoo Cottages are located. This area was also where we would meet our Game Driver later in the afternoon.
I spent some time chatting with the lovely ladies in the Children’s Entertainment area. They offer babysitting services and besides a playground, mini golf area and outdoor chess board for bigger kids, offer many indoor activities to keep the smaler ones busy. I was pleasantly surprised, as this will give parents an opportunity to enjoy a solo game drive or have a little alone time at the pool while their kids are having their own fun experience.
There was still plenty of time left before our game drive departure, so we headed over to the mezzanine level bar and enjoyed our drinks out on the deck with views of the reserve.
Afternoon Game Drive
At 4:30pm we walked over to the gathering point and were divided into smaller groups for the game-viewing vehicles. These open vehicles offer the ideal way to see the animals and experience the outdoors. Of course, if you are a bit more adventurous, you could opt to do a Quad Bike Safari or even a Horseback ride to see the animals. We loved the vehicle idea as it offered not only a comfortable drive but also an amazingly knowledgeable driver/guide.
After entering the gated area, we almost immediately spotted a lone giraffe standing not too far away. Ostriches were walking nearby and not too much further a couple of hippos were in and around the dam. I did not expect the animals to be so close to the main buildings and it was a strange feeling to know that they were there the whole time, just on the other side of the fence.
The prolonged drought that this part of South Africa endured meant animals had to get supplemental feeding and it was time to treat the elephants to some fresh food. They know the drill by now and came running. It was truly amazing to see them run towards us and then pass the vehicles without a second glance to join the ostriches at the feeding spot. We got to watch them interact for a while before we continued on our drive.
We followed the bush paths towards the nearby hills where we met some of the lions that live on the reserve. The lions were rescued from canned hunting situations and were still adjusting to their new home and surroundings. They were enjoying the late afternoon sun and just laying around – a lot like my house cats do back home! We were able to get really close and observe them for quite some time.
Sunset Stop
On we continued past a small herd of eland and some more giraffes, towards a rest area where we met up with the other groups for a chance to stretch our legs, grab some snacks, and get something to drink. We walked around a bit and chatted with other guests and had the opportunity to use the ablution facilities. The Game Guides were happy to keep conversations going for those who had more questions. Other guests were taking in the view, the clean air, and the stunning sky of the Karoo. A great experience all by itself.
It was time to head back to the lodge and get ready for dinner. We saw some more animals on the way back, including a lone blesbok. It was starting to get dark by the time we made it back and we were ready for some refreshments and dinner.
Dinner, Marshmallows, and the Stars
I made sure to take a moment to enjoy the view from the second floor of the lodge. There was still enough light in the sky to create a nice contrast with the hills and surroundings. We headed back to the mezzanine level bar area to sit by the fire, enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail, and chat about our day.
Dinner was another buffet-style event where the chefs impressed us yet again with their many flavorful food and dishes. If you are a foodie, this will not disappoint.
As soon as it was dark enough, we met up for a marshmallow braai outside. I did not expect to learn a new way of cooking my marshmallows but was pleasantly surprised with this new technique. Swirl it around and eat the outer layer. Then put it back in the fire to crisp the outer layer again. Eat and repeat and see how many layers you can get!
We gathered for our star gazing experience and even though we had a full (and very bright) moon, we were able to observe the Southern star constellations. We had an excellent and animated host who obviously knew his topic very well. As a bonus, we were shown how to find South using the stars. Something that is much easier to do in the northern hemisphere, by the way.
It was a fantastic day and we were a little tired. There was another game drive before breakfast the next day, which meant we would have to get up early, so off to bed we went.
Day 2 – Baby Rhinos!!!
We were up early, before sunrise for sure, to get some coffee and rusks before meeting our Guide for the morning outing. It was cold and we had our jackets, but the blankets he handed out as we got to our seats were a nice and much needed touch.
The first stop was near the watering hole where we could see (and hear) the hippos as they were starting their day.
The sun was just coloring the sky when we came across our first rhino family. Mom and baby were close to the path and we could park the vehicle and observe them for quite some time. As a way to deter poachers, Aquila trims their rhinos’ horns now. The horn is made from keratin (like fingernails) and the rhinos don’t experience any pain when it is done. Since these rhinos live in a relatively safe environment, they don’t need their horns for self-defense purposes.
Further down the path, we saw a rhino dung pile. Rhinos use a communal pile and it acts as a message station for all members. They can tell who’s been visiting, who is ready to mate, and all other important rhino news. These “messages” will stick to the bottom of their feet and they can track it far and wide.
By now the sun was fully up and we continued our drive to the edge of the reserve. Here we saw our first herd of zebras. Did you know zebra stripes repel flies? This was just another fun fact that our very knowledgeable guide told us.
We also spotted more rhinos on our way up the mountainside. We stopped to admire the red rocks from this area and were told how it was used in “the old days” for painting. I volunteered (why not) to have my face painted with a mixture of rock dust and water and happily wore my new “makeup” all morning, even right through breakfast.
We passed by some lions enjoying their early morning nap before coming across a herd of elephants. It was time for breakfast and we reluctantly made our way back to the lodge and the restaurant.
Breakfast and Checking Out
We had our breakfast back in the dining room and again it was an amazing buffet-style setup with oh-so-many yummy options. Cold or hot, they had you covered. We enjoyed our breakfast at a window table, taking in the incredible view of the nearby pool and the reserve past the fence.
After breakfast, we headed back to our rooms to pack. I had to take a moment to watch the cheeky baboons that were coming down into the courtyard from a nearby hill. While one seemed to be watching from the top, the others made their way over to the kitchen area using cars as stepping stools. I can just imagine that nothing can be left outside around here.
We headed back to reception to formally check out, then over to the curio shop to get a couple of mementos. It was at this point that I realized a 24-hour visit is not nearly long enough. Next time, we will definitely have to spend a couple of days here.
I surely hope Aquila Game Reserve will make it on your “must-see” list for your next South African visit. This was an amazing experience and one I am so glad I got to share with my friend Carmen and my mom and dad. Till next time Aquila!
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