Aquila Game Reserve Safari with Wine Tasting, Transport & Lunch
Encounter the Big 5, savour South African wines, and discover the Cape winelands in a single unforgettable day.
The Aquila Game Reserve Safari combines a classic African bush experience with a curated wine tasting at the historic Nederburg estate, all within a day trip from Cape Town. Return transfers from your hotel, a guided game drive, buffet lunch, and wine tasting are bundled into one well-organised itinerary. Please note that the Aquila reserve entrance ticket is paid separately at the reserve on the day.
Aquila Private Game Reserve sits roughly two hours from Cape Town in the Karoo foothills, making it the closest Big 5 destination to the city. The reserve was carefully restocked with lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, and buffalo, alongside giraffe, zebra, and numerous antelope species. The landscape shifts from scrubby Karoo semi-desert to riverine thicket, offering varied and photogenic terrain throughout the drive.
The wine tasting component takes guests to Nederburg Wines, located on the outskirts of Paarl approximately 50 minutes from central Cape Town. Nederburg's origins trace back to 1791 when German immigrant Philippus Wolvaart acquired land in the Paarl Valley, and the Cape Dutch manor house he completed in 1800 is now a national monument. The tasting features a curated selection of South African reds, whites, and sparkling wines produced on this celebrated estate.
The full-day structure is designed for ease: hotel pickup eliminates navigational stress, the open 4x4 safari vehicle provides unobstructed sightlines, and the lodge buffet offers both local and international dishes prepared with fresh regional ingredients. The difficulty rating is easy, making this itinerary suitable for a broad range of travellers including those with limited safari experience.
Tour Highlights
Track the Big 5 on a 2 to 3 hour open 4x4 game drive led by an experienced ranger.
Explore the Karoo landscape and spot giraffe, zebra, and numerous antelope species alongside the iconic predators.
Enjoy welcome drinks and a hearty buffet breakfast on arrival at the Aquila lodge before heading into the reserve.
Sit down to a generous buffet lunch at the lodge after the game drive, featuring local and international dishes.
Taste a curated selection of reds, whites, and sparkling wines at the storied Nederburg estate in the Paarl Valley.
Visit Nederburg's Cape Dutch manor house, a national monument with a winemaking history dating to 1791.
Door-to-door hotel transfers from Cape Town make the entire day completely hassle-free.
Itinerary
Your guide collects you from your Cape Town accommodation and the group departs for the Paarl Valley. The drive to the winelands takes approximately 50 minutes along well-maintained roads.
The tour stops at Nederburg Wines for a guided tasting of selected South African varietals, including reds, whites, and sparkling options. The estate's historic Cape Dutch manor house provides a scenic backdrop for the experience.
On arrival at Aquila, guests are welcomed with drinks and a buffet breakfast at the lodge. This is the moment to settle in, meet the ranger, and pay the reserve entrance fee directly at the Aquila office.
Board an open 4x4 safari vehicle for a 2 to 3 hour game drive through the reserve with a knowledgeable ranger. The drive covers diverse terrain as the group searches for lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, buffalo, giraffe, and zebra.
After the game drive, guests return to the lodge for a sit-down buffet lunch featuring a wide range of local and international dishes. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients are a feature of the lodge kitchen.
The group departs Aquila and travels back to Cape Town, arriving at hotels approximately 8 hours after the original pickup. Drop-off is at the same hotel as pickup.
What Is Included
Included
- Return hotel transfers from Cape Town
- Open 4x4 safari vehicle game drive
- Experienced ranger guide throughout the game drive
- Welcome drinks and buffet breakfast at Aquila lodge
- Buffet lunch at Aquila lodge
- Curated wine tasting at Nederburg Wines
Not Included
- Aquila Game Reserve entrance ticket (paid directly on-site)
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for guide and lodge staff
- Personal purchases and alcoholic beverages beyond the tasting
Important Information
Ready to Experience the Big 5?
Secure your place on this full-day Cape Town safari and wine tasting combination. Hotel transfers, game drive, wine tasting, and lunch are all arranged for you.
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