Experiences / Safari & game drives
Big 5 safari near Cape Town, 10 minutes from our farm
Karoo One is about two hours from Cape Town and about 10 minutes, gate to gate, from Aquila Private Game Reserve, the closest place to Cape Town to see the Big 5. Add a guided day or sunset game drive to your stay through reception, then come back to the farm for dinner, a fire and a quiet night.
Distance
10 min, gate to gate
Wildlife
The Big 5
Safaris
Half day or full day
Booking
At reception
Our neighbour, 10 minutes away
Aquila Private Game Reserve
Aquila Private Game Reserve is our neighbour, about 10 minutes from Karoo One, gate to gate. It is a 10,000 hectare reserve in the Karoo and the closest place to Cape Town to see the Big 5.
Every game drive is a guided tour with an experienced Aquila guide in an open game drive vehicle. Choose an early morning, afternoon or sunset drive, or make a full day of it. We book your drive at reception, and at the end of the day you come back to the farm.
What you can see
- The Big 5: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino
- Giraffe, zebra and hippo, along with antelope and Karoo birdlife
- The Karoo itself: wide plains and mountains, best in the soft light of morning and sunset
Choose your safari
morning, noon or sunset
Times are Aquila's and can change. Reception confirms the time and price when you book.
07h00 to 12h00
Early morning drive
A half-day Big 5 game drive while the reserve wakes up and the light is soft.
12h00 to 16h30
Afternoon drive
A half-day drive after lunch, looking for elephant, rhino and buffalo.
15h00 to 19h00
Sunset drive
Late afternoon game viewing that ends as the sun goes down over the Karoo.
09h00 to 16h30
Full-day safari
A full day with a guide: a classic game drive, or the reserve on horseback or by quad bike.
More at Aquila
make a day of it
Horseback and quad bike safaris
See the reserve from the saddle or on a quad bike with an Aquila guide. No riding experience is needed for the horseback safari. You can also combine a game drive with either one in a single day.
Spa and restaurant
Aquila’s Tranquila Spa and restaurant are open to safari guests, so you can add lunch or a treatment to your day at the reserve.
Animal Rescue Centre
Aquila’s conservation work includes wildlife rehabilitation and animal rescue. Ask about it on your drive.
Safari specials
Make it a getaway
a game drive and a farm to come home to
Valid 18 May to 10 December 2026
Game Drive Getaway
Two nights' accommodation with breakfast and a sunset game drive at Aquila Private Game Reserve for two adults, R5,070 for the package. Own transport to Aquila is required. Ts and Cs apply.
Book this special
Back at the farm
Why make Karoo One your base for a game drive
A game drive takes a few hours. The rest of your stay is the part we look after.
- Space for the kids: wide farm land where children can run and ride their bikes, plus a jungle gym, a trampoline and the kids club.
- Dogs are welcome: see our pet-friendly stays.
- Things to do between drives: the rock pool, marked trails and the hotel pool. See all experiences.
- Dinner and a fire: two restaurants and a bar on the farm, and a sunset fire at the boma.
- Hot tubs: AfriCamps tents have private wood-fired hot tubs. See glamping.
Before you go
- Getting there: drive to Aquila in your own car. It is about 10 minutes from Karoo One.
- What to wear: dress in layers. Early mornings and evenings are cold in the Karoo, even in summer.
- What to bring: a hat, sunscreen, water and binoculars if you have them.
- Children: Aquila sets the minimum age for each safari. Ask reception when you book.
- Times and prices: set by Aquila and confirmed by reception when you book.
How to book a game drive
- Book your room on Nightsbridge, or add a drive to a stay you already have.
- Ask at reception to arrange your drive, or call +27 23 358 2131 before you arrive.
- Drive to Aquila in your own car. It is about 10 minutes from Karoo One.
Book ahead for school holidays and long weekends.
Getting here from Cape Town
Karoo One is on the N1 just beyond the Hex River Valley, about 2 hours from Cape Town. See getting here for directions.
You might also like
more to do before dinner
Rock Pool
A natural rock pool below steep cliffs, about 800 m from the hotel, made for swimming, sunning and picnics.
Read more
Mountain biking
Marked routes with look-out points, and you are likely to see springbok, gemsbok, zebra and red hartebeest.
Read more
Hiking
Walk to the Rock Pool or climb to Fossil Kop on trails that start at the parking area.
Read moreFAQs
questions we hear at reception
Can't find what you need? Call reception on +27 23 358 2131.
Is a game drive suitable for children?
Aquila sets the minimum age for each safari. Ask reception when you book and we will check the options for your family.
Do I need my own car for a game drive?
Yes. Drive to Aquila in your own car. It is about 10 minutes from Karoo One.
What else is there to do if we skip the game drive?
See all experiences at Karoo One, from bike trails to the rock pool.
Stay a little longer
Check your dates and current specials on our booking page.