3 Day Budget Cape Town Big Five Lodge Safari

March 15, 2018March 15, 2018admin

Summary of this Budget Safari Package

One of the most budget friendly Cape Town Wildlife Safaris out there! Spend two nights in the closest Big Five Game Reserve to Cape Town, a mere two hour drive from the city.

This affordable short safari visits the malaria-free Aquila Private Game Reserve which you explore on 4×4 game drives with professional guides. You can even swap one of the game drives for a horseback safari in this Big Five game park, also hosting an array of other wild animals. The tour rates include return transfers between Cape Town and Aquila Game Reserve, comfortable accommodation, meals at the lodge and Big Five game drives in open safari vehicles.

Itinerary for this Tour

Day 1: Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve – Western Cape

At the start of this Budget Cape Town Big Five Safari you are collected from your accommodation in Cape Town between 09h00 and 10h00 in the morning. Leaving the city behind we travel northeast into the Cape Winelands region.

The two hour drive takes us through scenic farmlands and rural landscapes, over rugged mountain passes into the semi-arid Southern Karoo. We arrive at Aquila Private Game Reserve at about 12h00 and have lunch in the restaurant. Straight after lunch, at about 13h30, we embark on our first game drive in the Big Five game reserve. The game drive is conducted in an open-sided 4×4 safari vehicle by a professional guide. We spend about two to two-and-a-half hours exploring the protected area, encountering a variety of animals and birds. We usually come across members of the famous Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo) on our very first game drive.

After our exciting afternoon game drive in Aquila Game Reserve we return to the well-equipped lodge. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to relax and enjoy the facilities at the lodge. The 35 meter-long salt water swimming pool is ideal for a refreshing swim and the poolside bar is the perfect place to unwind with a cocktail. The comfortable lounge and adjoining cigar bar feature cosy logfires to keep you warm on cool winter days and there is also a small library and a children’s play area. This evening a buffet-style dinner is served in the spacious triple volume restaurant.

Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Standard Lodge Room or Luxury Cottage
Included Activities: Afternoon Game Drive in Aquila Game Reserve
Travel: Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve (about 2 hours)

Day 2: Aquila Big Five Game Reserve – Western Cape

On day two of this Cape Town Big Five Safari, you are up early for an exhilarating morning game drive. Setting off into the bush at 07h00 you go in search of the wildlife action typical of the cool morning hours. Your experienced guide will tell you more about the animals, birds and plants of the region, pointing out interesting sightings as you go.

Our morning game drive is followed by a hearty breakfast back at the safari lodge. Then you are free to rest and take it easy at the comfortable lodge. Lunch is served at about 12h30, followed by an afternoon game drive in Aquila. Head back out into the wilderness in search of the Big Five and other fascinating African animals, stopping to take photographs and get a closer look at the wild inhabitants. Your guide will happily answer questions, revealing more about the flora and fauna while out in the bush. Our memorable game drive ends back at the lodge where you can take a dip in the pool or enjoy the lovely views with a sundowner in hand. After dinner this evening, unwind in the bar and marvel at the star-studded Karoo skies above.

Please Note: On this Cape Town Big Five Safari you have the option of replacing one of the game drives with a horseback safari at no extra cost. Alternatively you can join a quadbike safari at an additional cost.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Standard Lodge Room or Luxury Cottage
Included Activities: Game Drives in Aquila Private Game Reserve & optional Horseback safari (instead of one game drive)
Optional Activities: Quadbike Safari (at extra cost)

Day 3: Aquila Game Reserve to Cape Town – Western Cape

Day three begins with an invigorating early morning game drive in the Big Five game reserve – one last chance to spot the Big Five of Africa. Returning to the safari lodge after our last open vehicle game drive, we head to the restaurant for a tasty breakfast.

At about 12h30 we depart from Aquila, driving back to Cape Town. Our estimated arrival time back in Cape Town is between 15h30 and 16h00, when you will be dropped off at your post-safari accommodation.

Meals included: Breakfast
Included Activities: Morning Game Drive in Aquila Private Game Reserve
Travel: Aquila to Cape Town (about 2 hours)

About Aquila Private Game Reserve

Aquila is a privately-owned game park named after the endangered black eagle, called the Verreaux eagle (Aquila verreauxii). The game reserve is located close to the small town of Touws River on the fringes of the Southern Karoo region and is thus a malaria-free wildlife destination. This 10 000-hectare sanctuary is home to Africa’s Big Five and a rich variety of other wildlife species, including wildebeest, giraffe, cheetah, hippo, zebra, oryx and other antelopes.

Aquila hosts an animal rescue centre that provides sanctuary to animals that can never be released into the wild again and also serves as a temporary home for animals that need care and rehabilitation before being released into the wild. The centre is not open to the public and interaction with humans is kept to a minimum. Conservation and rehabilitation initiatives have included work with black eagles, rhinos, cheetahs, lions and more.

Safari Accommodation Options at Aquila Private Game Reserve

Aquila Game Reserve features a range of tasteful accommodation options catering for both budget and luxury guests. Options include standard lodge rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities, as well as luxury cottages with en-suite bathrooms and patio areas. Facilities include a 35-metre salt water swimming pool, triple-volume restaurant, outdoor boma area, children’s play area, lounge, cigar bar, library, and curio shop. Aquila also has a spa boasting heated indoor pools, a steam room, a sauna and other luxurious facilities.