FAQ's

Safari and Dietary Requirements

Aquila offers buffet-style dining at each meal, served by staff, where there are a variety of options available to suit most dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, halal and vegan diets.

Halal and vegetarian dietary requirements are available to choose in the booking form on the deals.

Breakfast offerings on the buffet include pastries, cereals, breads, cheese, fruit and yoghurts, with hot breakfast foods. There are usually fish, red meat, chicken and hot vegetable options at lunch and dinner as they are buffets, plus plenty of vegetables, salads, sides, breads, cheese, fruit and desserts.

No, safaris are not weather dependent. Safari vehicles have rooftops and guest comfort includes ponchos and blankets.

Check-in from 12h00 only on the check-in date of your choice.

Check-out from 10h00 latest.

Please note these are only guidelines and may be changed due to weather or other circumstances. The lodge general manager will inform of any changes to the basic itinerary.

Check-in date:

  • Arrive from 12h00 only
  • Lunch
  • Check-in to your room 2pm
  • Afternoon game drive
  • Dinner service

Next Day:

  • Leisurely breakfast at 09h00
  • Morning game drive
  • Some free time to relax while reading a book or visit the spa (optional extra)
  • Delicious lunch
  • Afternoon game drive
  • Dinner service

Final Morning:

  • Early morning game drive with hot beverages
  • Breakfast
  • Check-out by 10h00

Note: Itinerary and game drive times are subject to change. Check with Lodge Management upon arrival. 

Guests over the age of 16 years old can add optional extras: Please check with reception when you check-in on Friday to schedule your add-on activities.

  • spa access to make use of the indoor heated pool,
  • spa treatments,
  • horseback rides or
  • quad bike adventures.

General

  • A dedicated COVID19 health and safety team leader will oversee staff and guest wellbeing, safety and comfort.
  • Medical and travel declarations and records will be recorded for all staff and guests entering and exiting the property.
  • Guest and staff temperature monitoring will be done daily with non-contact thermometers (with further actions and protocols in place should someone show symptoms or high temperature).
  • Guests will be able to navigate with clear property signage and easy guest information, together with a thorough pre check-in briefing.
  • Guests and staff will be required to wear a mask on the property, except when in their rooms or while eating and drinking.
  • Strict sanitising and hygiene practices are put in place and will include shoe and hand sanitising at check-in and regular intense cleansing of high touch areas like welcome desks.
  • No menus will be available to limit touch contamination.
  • Cash handling will be minimised and tap cards and other forms of payment will be preferred.
  • Turn-down service will be stopped until further notice, while linen and towel changes will be reduced to lower any possible contamination risk. In-room sanitiser will be provided.
  • Safari vehicles have before lockdown, and will continue after reopening, be deep cleaned after every game drive, while limiting the amount of passengers per vehicle to allow for sufficient distancing.

Aquila Private Game Reserve & spa is a family friendly and accepting safari destination situated just outside of Cape Town. We believe in the family enjoyment of a holiday and city escape where the entire family – young and old – can learn about or conservation projects and experience wildlife activities. 

We do ask that families visiting with children respect the other guests while at Aquila Private Game Reserve and observe certain protocol while using the restaurant facilities or while on safari.

Aquila is a malaria-free reserve and makes for a perfectly safe family stay.

Children get to enjoy the wide open spaces of the communal grass area, or they can spend some time at the Kids Adventure Zone with a variety of activities to keep them busy for hours. A childminding service can also be arranged at an additional fee – to ensure a safe stay for children while the parents get to relax and enjoy the facilities and services at Aquila.

GENERAL TERMS AND INFO:

  • Children of all ages are welcome at Aquila Private Game Reserve.
  • Aquila provides activities for children at the Kids Adventure Zone. These include mini golf, giant chess, a sandpit, jungle gym and electronic games.
  • A childminding service is available at an additional charge.
  • Aquila offers a Junior Ranger Programme for children of all ages at an additional charge. Enquire at reception for daily schedules.
  • Children of all ages are allowed on our standard traditional 4×4 vehicle safari experience.
  • An age restriction of 16 years old applies for our spa access and treatments, quad bike and horseback activity. If over 16, a weight restriction of 95kg apply.
  • All swimming activities and pool use must be supervised by an adult at all times.
  • Only certain accommodation options and packages include children’s access. Please make sure you familiarise yourself with these options when booking.
  • Our Family Cottages  allow for childrens accommodation in a loft room, while our Premier Lodge Rooms offer a sleeper couch for children up to the age of 12.

 

PRICE POLICY:

  • Children aged under 4: free with accompanying adults.
  • Children aged 4 to 11: 50% of the day or overnight per person rate.
  • Children 12 and older pay adult rates.

 

LOCKDOWN SALE AND CHILDREN:

  • Our Day Visit voucher allows for the addition of children of all ages.
  • Our Couples Stay is designed to pamper the adults and the room types do not allow for a comfortable children’s visit. This deal is for two sharing adults only in Lodge accommodation.
  • Our specially curated Family Stay includes spacious accommodation for two adults and two children of any age. The offer is hosted in our Family Cottages and ensures a comfortable family stay.
  • These offers are inclusive of the services mentioned and discounted for the voucher sale period. No amendments or additions can be made in respect of children’s access.

 

Refund and Cancellation

Whoops! You’ve made a specials booking and cannot come? Please note that our standard cancellation policy applies. your online specials offer purchase is a confirmed booking for the specific weekend check-in date.

We do offer a penalty free deferment for WEEKEND SPECIALS BOOKINGS until 30 January 2022. You can contact a safari consultant to make a date change at no additional cost.

In the unlikely event of future pandemic related international travel bans, we reserve our right to consult and make relevant updates to our standard cancellation policy.

In all cases, we will review extraordinary circumstances on an ad-hoc basis.

Our standard cancellation policy makes special provisions in the event of a positive COVID19 PCR test result relating to a confirmed Aquila Collection guest.

Reservation refunds of any kind may be delayed due to the COVID restrictions and availability of personnel over this period.

Please note that all cancellations are only effective once confirmed in writing. 

Guests making travel and booking arrangements with the Aquila Collection must have their own personal or business travel insurance to support any cancellation or curtailment of their booking.

In the event that the accommodation is not taken up, AQUILA COLLECTION will have the right to deem the amounts due in lieu of the cancellation penalties and, in addition, have the right to release reservations where deposit and / or payment is not made on the due date.

AQUILA COLLECTION reserves the right to amend deposit requirements during peak periods.

  • No Shows: 100% of full amount payable
  • Cancellations within 0 – 7 days of date of arrival: 100% payable
  • Cancellations within 8 – 21 days of date of arrival: 50% of full amount payable
  • Cancellations within 22 – 30 days of date of arrival: 30% of full amount payable
  • No refunds for late check-in / arrival or early check-out.
  • No refunds for services not used.
  • Please note that all refunds are subject to commission and/or bank charges