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Frequently asked questions.
How much does the Aquila day safari cost?
Booked with the operator, from 2,895 ZAR per adult for the full day and from 2,365 ZAR for the afternoon if you drive yourself (as of 23 September 2026). The shared shuttle from Cape Town costs from 1,180 ZAR per person on top; an agency rate sheet quotes 4,075 ZAR for the full day and 3,545 ZAR for the afternoon with transport for Nov 2025 to Apr 2026. Children aged 4 to 11 pay half, up to 3 nothing.
How long does the day take?
The full day begins with pickup between 05:45 and 06:45, you are in the reserve from 09:00 to 16:30 and back in Cape Town around 19:00, so around 12 to 13 hours. The afternoon with pickup from 08:15 takes about 10 hours. The game drive itself lasts 2 to 3 hours.
Which animals do you see at Aquila?
Regularly elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, ostriches, zebras, wildebeest and antelope, plus the lions in their enclosure area. The leopard is a free-roaming Cape leopard and is practically never seen. The operator guarantees no sightings and works without transmitters.
Is Aquila suitable for children?
Yes. Children up to 3 ride free, from 4 to 11 at half price. Only quad, horseback and combo safaris are restricted to age 16 and over. Because of the long day of driving, the afternoon with its later pickup is often the better choice for small children.
Can I drive to Aquila myself?
Yes, all day programmes can be booked with self-drive arrival. The route runs around 130 km along the N1 to just before Touws River, then onto the R46 towards Ceres and after about 3 km left to the entrance; 170 km and just under 2 hours in total. Without a confirmed booking there is no entry.
When is the best time for Aquila?
Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are mild and dry. In winter from June to August it is cold on the open vehicle at 8 to 18 °C, but the season is cheaper and quieter. In high summer it gets hot at midday; then the Early Morning from 07:00 is worth it. Because the reserve is fenced, sightings are similar all year.
Aquila or Inverdoorn?
Both belong to the Aquila Collection, are 10,000 hectares, malaria-free and list the Big Five. Aquila is closer at just under 2 hours, bookable daily with several programmes and correspondingly busier. Inverdoorn is around 2.5 hours away, limits its day package to 20 guests, has a cheetah project and last offered day trips only from December to February at 4,950 ZAR including transfer.
Are the lions at Aquila free?
No. The lions come from canned hunting and, according to the operator, live in secured enclosures because they cannot be released into the wild. The game drive goes into this area, so you see the lions from close up; you do not see them hunt.
Is Aquila worth it at all?
As an introduction, with children or if you only have one day: yes, because elephants, rhinos and buffalo can be seen from a few metres away, you can plan on it, and the organisation is well rehearsed. If you are looking for a safari without fences and with free-hunting predators, plan two nights at Sanbona or Gondwana instead; neither takes day guests.
Do you need malaria prophylaxis?
No. Touws River lies in the Western Cape, which is among the southern parts of the country that the German Federal Foreign Office classes as malaria-free. The risk areas are the north-east with the Kruger Park and parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
