2024 World Luxury Hotel Awards

Karoo, South Africa – Aquila Collection is delighted to announce that both Aquila Private Game Reserve & Spa and Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve have been honoured with prestigious awards at the 2024 World Luxury Hotel Awards. Aquila was named the Best Luxury Private Game Reserve in Southern Africa, while Inverdoorn took home the title of Best Luxury Boutique Lodge in Africa.

The World Luxury Awards, the pinnacle of recognition in the global luxury hospitality industry, hosted two grand gala ceremonies this past week. The iconic AYANA Bali and the glamorous Galgorm served as the prestigious backdrops for these celebrated events, held on 16 and 19 October 2024, respectively. Winners from various categories, including luxury hotels, wellness retreats, Michelin-starred restaurants, and premium travel facilities, were announced amidst much applause.

“Our people are at the heart of everything we do,” said Storm de Lange, General Manager of Inverdoorn. “Working closely with our teams and communities in the Karoo, we strive to welcome guests from around the world and offer them an unforgettable experience.”

Dougal Patterson, General Manager of Aquila, added, “This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team. We are committed to providing exceptional wildlife experiences while ensuring the comfort and satisfaction of our guests.”

Owner Searl Derman expressed his pride in the accolades, saying, “After 25 years of dedication to Cape Town’s Big 5 safari efforts, this recognition means the world to us. It’s a reflection of our unwavering commitment to conservation and hospitality.”

Both gala evenings underscored the World Luxury Awards’ commitment to recognising and rewarding excellence in the luxury industry. The events provided a platform for industry leaders to showcase their achievements, share their stories, and inspire others.

Johan van Schalkwyk, Commercial Officer of Aquila Collection, commented, “We are working diligently to promote Cape Town and its bucket-list wildlife experiences to the world. Accolades like these make our work easier, knowing that our teams in the Karoo offer outstanding services and facilities to the global audience we appeal to. At the 2023 awards ceremony, both lodges also received accolades, speaking to our consistent promise of offering beautiful wildlife experiences in comfortable beds—just outside of Cape Town.”

These honours highlight the Aquila Collection’s ongoing commitment to excellence and its role in showcasing the beauty and wonder of South Africa’s wildlife to visitors from around the globe – in Cape Town.