Aquila Private Game Reserve Safari with Wine Tasting Experience

Your adventure begins with a convenient pickup from your hotel in Cape Town. As you leave the city behind, your guide will introduce you to the fascinating history of the Mother City, from its establishment by the Dutch East India Company in 1652 to its multicultural heritage that blends African, European, and Asian influences.

Travelling northeast along the N1 National Highway, you'll soon enter the breathtaking Cape Winelands, one of the world's oldest and most celebrated wine-producing regions. Rolling vineyards, dramatic mountain ranges, and charming Cape Dutch architecture create a spectacular backdrop throughout the journey.

One of the highlights of the drive is passing through the famous Huguenot Tunnel, an engineering masterpiece stretching nearly 4 km beneath the majestic Du Toitskloof Mountains. Opened in 1988, the tunnel shortened the journey between Paarl and Worcester by approximately 11 km, making travel significantly faster and safer.

The tunnel is named after the French Huguenots who arrived at the Cape in the late 1600s after fleeing religious persecution in France. These skilled settlers played a significant role in establishing South Africa's thriving wine industry, introducing centuries-old winemaking traditions that continue to flourish today.

Emerging from the tunnel, the landscape changes dramatically as lush vineyards give way to the wide-open plains and rugged mountains of the Klein Karoo, offering spectacular panoramic views.

Receive a warm African welcome with a refreshing welcome drink before enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast (or lunch depending on your safari schedule).

About Aquila Private Game Reserve

Located just under two hours from Cape Town, Aquila Private Game Reserve covers approximately 10,000 hectares of pristine Karoo wilderness. Established in 1999, Aquila became the first official Big Five game reserve in the Western Cape, successfully reintroducing Africa's iconic wildlife to the region while focusing on conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, and sustainable tourism.

The reserve offers visitors an authentic safari experience without travelling to South Africa's northern game parks.

Big Five Safari Experience

Climb aboard an open 4x4 safari vehicle accompanied by an experienced professional game ranger for an unforgettable guided game drive through the reserve.

Your adventure continues into the heart of the Cape Winelands with a visit to the celebrated Fairview Wine Estate in Paarl.

Founded on land first granted in 1693, Fairview has grown into one of South Africa's most iconic family-owned wine estates. The estate combines more than three centuries of farming tradition with modern innovation and is internationally renowned for producing premium wines and artisanal cheeses.

One of Fairview's most distinctive attractions is its famous Goat Tower, home to a lively family of goats that has become a beloved symbol of the estate and a favourite stop for visitors.

Surrounded by vineyards with the dramatic Paarl Mountain and Drakenstein Mountains providing a spectacular backdrop, Fairview offers one of the most picturesque settings in the Cape Winelands.

Arrive back at your hotel after an unforgettable day combining two of South Africa's greatest experiences: an authentic Big Five safari and a relaxing afternoon in the heart of the Cape Winelands.