Cape Town Safari

We honestly didn’t expect to have this kind of safari experience in Cape Town at Aquila Private Game Reserve. But we were genuinely surprised (in the best way)! You can also watch our experience here.

It’s just 2 hours outside of Cape Town and, if Kruger or Addo aren’t quite on the cards for you right now, this is a great, accessible option for a Big 5 safari.

Rhino's basking in the sun on a Cape Town safari

The Cape Town Safari: Big 5? Yes. Majestic? Absolutely.

As you would know, game viewing is always hit or miss depending on the day and the animals' mood, but we got lucky! We saw antelopes, hippos, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, buffalos, wildebeests, and even lions on our drive. Honestly, it felt like they were all coming out to show off. They really understood the assignment 😋

Also, did you know that a buffalo can run at 35 km/h? Yikes. We learnt so many cool facts during the drive, and we loved that!

What Option to Choose

We chose the afternoon traditional safari, which includes a 4x4 game drive, a dedicated guide (who’s also your driver), a rest stop towards the end with drinks available and bathroom facilities, and a buffet lunch also included in the price. If you need a transfer from Cape Town, here's the same option with a transfer.

Alternatively, you can choose to do the sunset safari as well.

We appreciated how the guides made a real effort to drive into different landscapes to increase our chances of sightings, while still keeping a respectful distance from the animals.

Pro tip: If you’re driving back to Cape Town the same day, the afternoon option is perfect. Enough time to explore, but not too late to get back before sunset.

An elephant showing off right outside our 4x4

Food & Facilities

Lunch was included and had halaal-friendly options, which we really appreciated. Drinks, though, are extra, and a bit pricey, so plan ahead if you’re budgeting.

There’s also a dedicated prayer room on-site, which makes it easier to make salaah before or after your drive.

Overall, Aquila may not be as wild and expansive as Kruger, but it delivers a memorable, well-run safari experience, especially if you're based in Cape Town or have limited time. We’d recommend it for locals and travellers looking for a quick, close-up encounter with some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife.

Want to book your own safari or add it to your Cape Town itinerary? Contact us or check our Cape Town Travel Guide!