Aquila Safari

Accommodation:

4 Star accommodation is available in Cottages and a Lodge. Aquila sleeps a total of 168 guests sharing and 81 single occupancy in 77 rooms.

AQUILA COTTAGES

Premier Cottages

The Premier Cottages are positioned on the hillside to offer privacy and have been built in harmony with the rock, which is a principle focal point in the large bathrooms and alfresco showers. They are constructed from wood, stone and thatch and feature fans, air conditioners and fireplaces. Each en-suite bathroom is unique, with twin hand basins, bath and toilet. The cottages offer a wooden deck with panoramic views across the expanse of the reserve. The Honeymoon Suite (the jewel in Aquila’s crown) boasts a private alfresco Jacuzzi.

Room configuration:

• Cottage 6: Sleeps 4 (twins sharing and double bunks)
• Cottage 7: Sleeps 2 (Twin sharing)
• Cottage 8: Sleeps 2 (King size bed)
• Cottage 9 (Honeymoon Suite): Sleeps 2 (King size bed)
• Cottage 10: Sleeps 2 (Twin sharing)
• Average cottage sizes: Balcony 8m2, Bedroom 40 m2, Bathroom 20 m2

Luxury Family Cottages:

These units are semi-detached with attention paid to privacy. Units are equipped with mini bars (on request), tea and coffee making facilities and feature indoor fireplaces for that extra bit of warmth and coziness in the colder months. They are under thatch and feature exterior stone work using raw materials from the area. The large en-suite bathrooms feature corner baths with outdoor showers.

Room configuration:

• Luxury Family Units 31 & 38 sleeps 8 guests (2 en-suite bedrooms with king size beds, upstairs 4 x 3⁄4 beds)

• Luxury Family Units 32 – 37 sleeps 4 guests

• Average room sizes: Family Balcony 12 m2, Family Room 30 m2, Family Bathroom 6 m2

Both the Premier Cottages and the Luxury Family Units have tea and coffee making facilities, the option of a mini bar and the highest quality linen is used throughout.

Standard Cottages:

In keeping with the design and flow of the architecture at Aquila, the Standard Chalets do not compromise the experience nor standard. Each has its own patio, corner bath and outdoor rock shower. Cottages are equipped with mini bars (on request), fans and feature “coal‟ stoves for that extra bit of warmth and coziness in the colder months.

Room configuration:

• Cottage 11 – 30: Sleeps 2 per cottage (Twin sharing)
• Sizes: Room 16.6 m2, Bathroom 3.9 m2, Patio 12 m2

AQUILA LODGE

Situated adjacent to the restaurant is the newly built Aquila Lodge, comprising 3 levels, accessible by a glass paneled lift with magnificent Karoo vistas, with 22 rooms facing the reserve and the mountains and another 22 rooms facing away from the reserve. Modern Afro-chic interior design is used in the lodge.

Premier Lodge Rooms have large balconies overlooking the reserve with magnificent views. Full bathrooms with separate showers and views from the baths. 2 x twin’s beds which can be made up to Queen size beds

Premier Suites: Room 23.6 m2, Balcony 10.8 m2, Bathroom 7.5 m2

Standard Rooms have twin beds which can be made up to Queen Size beds, they look away from the reserve and have a shower en suite. These rooms do not have a view.

Standard Room: Room 16.8 m2, Bathroom 3.65 m2

Lodge Family Units: The above 2 room types can be converted to Luxury Family Suites. They interconnect by a common passage way. The entrance to the passageway may be locked, as can both bedrooms, forming a private and safe space for families.

Restaurant:

The new triple volume restaurant is perfectly situated to offer breath-taking views of the reserve. The upstairs viewing area enables guests to enjoy cocktails while watching the sun set behind the magnificent Karoo Mountains. This spacious African- character building is the perfect setting for the extensive buffet-style meals served. Meals to suit all culinary/dietary requirements are prepared by our resident chefs, including traditional South African cuisine.

Complete with wall to ceiling windows for optimal viewing the restaurant can seat 280 - 300 diners in comfort and large log fireplaces set a romantic mood. The restaurant opens up to a sunken boma area and the large welcoming swimming pool.

Conference Centre:

The main inside area of the conference room is 125m2 (25m x 5m) with a thatch circular outside boma area of 36m2. Two Breakaway Rooms

•  10m2 (2mx5m)
•  5m2 (2mx5m)

Seating Capacity

•  48 pax (8 x 6 tables) including dance floor and buffet set up inside – bar atreception
•  92 pax (8 x 12 tables) dance floor, buffet and bar set up in bomaarea
•  80 pax cinema style - tea and coffee station at reception or in boma area
•  56 pax U-Shape style – tea and coffee station atreception
•  80 pax cocktail style with bars and buffetstyle

Cigar Bar:

A sumptuous yet intimate colonial style Cigar Bar that offers one the opportunity of enjoying one of the quality cigars on offer and an after dinner night cap.

Pool Bar:

Situated adjacent to the swimming pool and restaurant, the Pool Bar enjoys the same architecture and African design as the restaurant and seats approximately 20 guests while enjoying the convenience of the pool area and includes a “wet bar”.

Public Lounge:

Aquila’s public lounge is situated adjoining the Cigar Bar, Large roaring log fires, comfortable seating in which to relax, read a book or catch up with friends. There are DSTV facilities in the public lounge.

Curio Shop:

The boutique style curio shop is situated close to reception and offers various African souvenirs for sale, as well as locally manufactured items and Aquila branded apparel. For the guest’s convenience, items such as sun block and batteries are stocked.

Children’s Play Area:

Aquila offers an indoor and outdoor children’s play area, with a variety of activities aimed at toddlers to pre-teens. The outside area has a mini-golf course, a sandpit and a wooden playground to delight your little ones. Offering daily activities and Junior Ranger program. Children area is open from 9am to 8pm

Garden Labyrinth:

A stone and brick meditation labyrinth can be found behind the family units. There is a single, non-branching path that winds to the central meditative space. The path may be taken for personal or spiritual purposes.

Swimming Pools:

The main swimming pool has a length of 35 meters, and features a wet bar which is well-used in the summer months. This is situated next to the restaurant.

The smaller rock style pool is surrounded by rock features and manicured lawns with comfortable sun-loungers, located next to the lounge. 

Tranquila Spa:

An African spa using natural products. Featuring 2 heated indoor pools, Jacuzzis, Steam Bath, 12 Treatment rooms and a domed couple’s therapy room. A calming Zen Garden adds to the serene setting of this retreat.

The Reserve:

Having been proclaimed a Nature Reserve in 1985, the “veld” (terrain) is in pristine condition, consisting of Renoster Veld, Mountain Fynbos and succulent Karoo vegetation types found in 3 beautiful valleys. Situated in the Karoo with its wide open spaces, the 10,000 hectare conservancy has a natural wetland and is protected by majestic mountains and valleys, which makes for varied and ideal game viewing.

Wildlife:

Aquila has all of the Big 5 - elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino and rare Cape mountain leopard - and is also home to giraffe and hippo. Aquila is also proud to host the first rhino to be born in the Western Cape in 250 years. Large herds of game are also found on the reserve such as black wildebeest, Burchell’s zebra, springbok, gemsbok, steenbok, caracal (lynx), blesbok, bat eared fox, ostriches, klip springer, duiker, greybuck, baboon, black backed jackal, eland and red hartebeest. Aquila experienced a rhino birth boom towards the end of 2015, unfortunately one of the calves born was rejected by its Mother, Aquila had to make the choice of uplifting the calf and hand rearing this orphan. This is an 18month long journey. The calf is being looked after by ARC and is housed in a separate boma on the main reserve. Guests visiting the reserve are able to view him on their game drives, this will be under strict supervision at Aquila’s discretion.

Birdlife:

Aquila and its natural wetland is home to 172 species of birds and is also home to several breeding pairs of the rare black eagle, after which the reserve has been named. Karoo chat, rufous-eared warbler, fairy flycatcher and yellow-bellied eremomela can be found on short walks into the surrounding wilderness. Lark-like bunting and black-headed canary move in after the rainy season. In the summer months the booted eagle is a regular visitor and the rainy season attracts flamingos to the reserve.

Safaris:

Aquila offers Overnight and Day Trip Safaris. Day trip safaris are offered as full day or half day options. Aside from the ever-popular Game drive day trips, Aquila offers Horseback Safaris and Quad Bike Safaris or a combination of all three. Aquila has by far the greatest selection of game in the Western Cape and was rated by SAA’s Sawubona In-flight Magazine as “One of the Best Day Trips‟, right up there with Cape Point and Table Mountain.