Aquila Safari Private Game Reserve
About us:
Since the 4-star Aquila Private Game Reserve was founded, its ethos and that of our team of dedicated staff, has always been to educate guests on the importance of wildlife conservation, how it affects us all and what we as individuals can do to protect it and indeed the environment.
Aquila Private Game Reserve is not yet another luxury game reserve and lodge, its primary purpose is to offer an educational experience to all who visit in the hope that knowledge will enrich our understanding of the importance of living in harmony with Mother Nature.
Aquila Private Game Reserve Safari is proudly home to bushmen rock art dating back to a forgotten era.
Thatch, slate and natural rock elements are featured throughout with rooms opening up to a private terrace so guests can experience a true African sunset while enjoying their favourite sundowner from the mini-bar. During the winter months, one can curl up by the log fire and reminisce of yet another beautiful day on this magnificent reserve.
Facilities: Pool Bar | Children's Adventure Area | Game Drives | Horse-back Safari | Quad bike Safari | Fly in Safari | Conference Centre | Boma Restaurant | Cigar Bar
Specials:
FME readers will receive a 20% discount on accommodation (only valid if booked directly with reservation department).
Directions to Aquila Private Game Reserve:
Follow the N1 highway from Cape Town for approximately 130km (81 miles). The road will take you passed Paarl, through the Huguenot toll road, passed Worcester, De Doorns and through the Hex River Valley.
Approximately 30km (19 miles) after De Doorns and just passed the road sign indicating "10km to Touws River", you will get to the R46 turnoff to Ceres. Take the turnoff to the left. Follow the road for approximately 3km (1.8 miles). You will find the Aquila Game Reserve main entrance on your left hand side.
| Contact Details |
| GPS co-ordinates: 33 21 07 South 19 56 07 64 East |
| 0861 73 73 78 3 |
Imvelo Award for our Social Involvement Programme.
Aquila Private Game Reserve Social Upliftment Programme
Aquila is the proud recipient of an Imvelo Award for our Social Involvement Programme.
Aquila provides over 120 jobs to the previously disadvantaged community of Touwsriver, a town with a 97% unemployment rate. Aquila also sponsors the local cricket team as well as a full time school teacher. Over the past 4 years, Aquila has invested a staggering R20 million into the Reserve and in doing so has been in a position to benefit the local community.
Each employee at Aquila provides for approximately 5 people in their immediate family. 20% of 7,900 people in the community benefit directly from the employment offered at Aquila with almost R200 000 per month circulating in the town. Aquila currently employs approximately 180 people.
Local street vendors from the city of Cape Town were invited to spend a night at the reserve and this team will be incorporated into our brochure distribution program in the city.
Aquila has gone to extra effort, expense and time in creating employment by having a majority of the doors and windows in their developments made by Touwsriver locals.
Food supplies, Veterinarian services, Labour, building material and supplies, machinery/mechanical repairs are all outsourced to local companies in the Touwsriver / Worcester area.
Aquila went to the additional expense of cutting down thousands of exotic trees, and treating them for our constructions, rather than buying pre-treated poles. This was also a job creation scheme. Aquila created jobs by pioneering the commercial use of "vleykiesriet" thatch in the area to be used for thatching This benefit was twofold, as the cutting of the reeds cleared choked waterways thus allowing for the flow of water to the town and farms all the way to Ladysmith, as well as ridding the town of high-density reeded areas that was known as a high crime risk environment.
Aquila has initiated a block-making job creation project. This project was launched to create employment and develop skills by manufacturing building blocks that were used on the reserve. This project currently produces approximately 600 bricks a week allowing this project to remain sustainable.
Aquila donated shelving and building materials to one of our staff members and empowered him and his family to start and already viable supermarket in his area.
Aquila Skills development
Pre and post opening and building of Aquila, people from the local community were and still are employed, trained and given craftsmanship skills by professionals in the hospitality, tourism and conservation industries.
The traditions and expert craftsmanship of the Khoi/San people are now being showcased in the Aquila's curio shop. This allows them the opportunity of earning a living from their craftsmanship. Both local and international tourists are now educated on many levels about the Khoi/San culture.