Big 5 Safari One Day Tour

Recommended by 90% of travelers

Cape Town, South Africa

8 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Ideal for those with limited time in South Africa, this wildlife experience offers the chance to see the Big 5 in just one day without traveling far from Cape Town. This small-group tour starts early to maximize wildlife-viewing opportunities and includes round-trip Cape Town hotel transfers, as well as breakfast and lunch.

See the Big 5 on a day trip game drive from Cape Town
Ideal for those who don't have time for a multi-day safari
Hassle-free round-trip transfers from your Cape Town hotel
Small-group tour (maximum 7): A more intimate experience

What's Included

Lunch

Buffet Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle
Bottled water

Drinks
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

You will be picked up from your accommodation in Cape Town. Wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time and your guide will meet you there.

Itinerary

Paarl

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Huguenot Tunnel (Pass By)

Worcester (Pass By)

De Doorns (Pass By)

Touws River

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Infant seats available

Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Jocelyn_B

Our driver Martin was very personable and courteous. He made the trip to the safari park a pleasurable experience. The incredible knowledge of the safari guide was greatly appreciated. We are here for an Ubuntu conference, and feel that we’ve learned so much more about South Africa. Thank you so much!!!

Reviews

4.7

based on 39 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

A day trip to Aquila game reserve

Helen_l, Jul 2025

Firstly the tour operator was responsive, understanding and flexible, making what was a stressful situation - being at the mercy of the weather resulting in a two day delay in docking at Cape Town- much easier to handle. A huge thank you to all. Martin our driver met us exactly on time, he was welcoming and friendly. He introduced us to the others in our small party (6) and we set off for Aquila Game reserve. We passed loads of vineyards and several communities on the way - the roads in this part of South Africa were amazing, not a pot hole in sight. We passed beautiful rivers and waterfalls as we entered the mountain region. On arrival at Aquila we were welcomed by friendly staff and offered a selection of local wines to taste - all were lovely. We checked in and were shown to our lunch table. The resort was beautiful, with a range of luxury ammenities, cabins against a dramatic backdrop of mountain's It was then on to the safari part of our trip. Getting on the trucks was a little chaotic - no one was assisting the orderly loading of passengers onto the window less truck's. We attended on a Saturday so lots of locals, people staying in the resort and tourists - mostly from the cruise ship like us. We set off on our two hour tour and saw lots of animals and took loads of photos. Our driver and guide for the tour was very knowledgable, sharing lots of interesting facts about the animals we were seeing. As darkness fell our tour ended and we started the two hour drive back to our drop off location, arriving safely after having a lovely day out. In all this was a great day out all of our interment group had fun. Thanks again for making this happen for us team it is a day we will remember.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you for your feedback. It was a pleasure to host you. The Go That Way Team.

Wonderful experience

Alice_C, Mar 2025

It’s our first trip to the African continent. There’s no way we could leave without going to a reserve. Antiqua was the closest one from Cape Town city Center. We enjoyed the 2-hr smooth drive with Martin to the reserve for the sunset view. Antiqua is a huge property. We were able to see elephants, elans, hippos, lions, zebras, rhinos, baboons, and giraffes. The guide was great. What a wonderful, memorable experience!!!

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Hi there Alice. Thank you for your review. Martin and the entire Team work and focus on our clients having the best service and experience ever. You need to miss us and want to come back soon. Aquila Private Game Reserve are a fantastic team and go to great lengths to provide also a wonderful experience with their knowledgeable friendly safari guides and the rest of the team ensuring that your entire experience is memorable.

Aquila Safari

Jocelyn_B, Sep 2024

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Thank you for your review. Please contact Go That Way again.

Lions rhinos and hippos

Bridgett_A, Jun 2024

Martin was Great!!! He got us there in incredible time Very informative and knowledgeable the tour was great Just enough to get a view of the 5 Would recommend Martin to everyone

Balanced Perspective

Dawit_R, Apr 2024

Overall, my experience at Aquila Private Game Reserve was average, with its fair share of pros and cons. While the communication leading up to the experience was good, and the pick-up/drop-off service was excellent thanks to a fantastic and charismatic driver, there were some aspects that fell short of expectations for a 4-star game reserve. The welcome drink was a nice touch, but I was disappointed by the buffet, which was included in the booking but then charged extra for still water. It would have been more preferable to either forego the welcome drink or have the cost of a beverage included in the booking price. Charging for still water felt particularly distasteful considering the 4-star rating of the reserve. The game drive itself was just okay. While it offers a chance to see the big five in a short time, and is suitable for families seeking a PG-rated safari experience, it felt more like a zoo-like outing in an open-air vehicle rather than a natural safari experience. The overall feeling was that the experience was manufactured rather than authentic. In conclusion, while Aquila Private Game Reserve has its merits, I personally wouldn't choose to repeat this experience.

Response from Host, May 2024

HI there Dawit, apologies for our late response. Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa covers an area of more than 10 000 hectares. The various safari vehicle guides communicate to each other as to where guests will get sightings. The Kruger National Park covers an area of 20 000 square kilometres. For clients wanting to see the big 5, Aquila offers the perfect experience for most. Our suggestion would be on your next trip to Africa with at least 2 weeks to travel, Kruger National Park would be another option. Thank you for your feedback. We are now also including bottled water for all our clients. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Not as good as we had hoped

Bev_W, Mar 2024

Our safari trip was spoiled by another guide translating German to guests every time the safari guide spoke it was very off putting we did see all the big five and the food provided was ok

Response from Host, May 2024

Hi there Bev, apologies for the decorum of fellow guests. We appreciate your honest feedback as we are always working o improve our clients experience. Aquila also offers a horseback safari and quadbike safari which i think could be something you would really enjoy.

Wonderful big cats lions

Paolo_B, Jun 2023

Very good experience a bit far from Cape Town and a bit expensive but the restaurant the gardens the pool and obviously the safari are unbelievable ! I recommend this tour for the landscape of the mountains where we pass through

Wonderful one day Safari not too far from Cape Town

Kenneth_J, Oct 2022

I really enjoyed my one day safari at Buffelsfontein. Emma picked me up from my hostel and was a wonderful host and conversationalist as we travelled about 1 hour outside of Cape Town to get to this location. If one is short on time and want to see some wildlife, then this would be a great tour to do.

Quite a lot of animals, but elephants in the stable at night, the lions in a specially fenced area..safely fed

Thomas_H, Dec 2025

Unfortunately a rather short safari.. 2, 5 hours, but ei e completely unnecessary break for wine tasting ....also on arrival...too bad about the time

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Response from Host, Dec 2025

Hi Thomas. We use this farm in Paarl as a halfway stop instead of a petrol station coffee shop. Paarl is a very old town steeped in history and we thought a different experience en route would add to the experience. The game drives are usually 2.5 to 3 hours. Your feedback is truly appreciated. Kind Regards