AQUILA COLLECTION LEVEL 4 UPDATES
The great news is that Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa, Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve and Kuganha Tented Camp remain OPEN! Further to President Ramaphosa's address on Sunday 27 June 2021 advising that South Africa's Coronavirus outlook would be amended to Adjusted Risk Strategy Level 4 for a period of 14 days, we would like to give our partners comfort with the following updates:
GENERAL NOTES:
- South Africa’s international borders remain open as previously gazetted.
- Leisure travel is not restricted other than for Gauteng residents – transit through Gauteng is still permitted.
- Level 4 regulations are only enforced for 14 days (until 11 July 2021) – further updates to be announced.
SAFARI OPERATIONS:
- Aquila is open 7 days a week until 27 July 2021 to allow for additional availability over the (now extended) school holiday period.
- Inverdoorn and Kuganha remain open for weekends only as previously updated.
- Room occupancy reduced to 50% as per regulations. (We are awaiting further updates regarding this rule and will send communication accordingly.)
- Food service will be slightly amended to takeaway, collection and/or in-room offering depending on the weather, capacity and safari programme. (We are awaiting further updates regarding this rule and will send communication accordingly.)
- Day trips remain open at Aquila only as previously advised.
- Strict hygiene protocols are in place and have been approved by TBCSA and WTTC. Click here to read our Safe Service Safaris Protocol.
- Alcohol prohibition restricts bar services.
The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) have given us assurance that they are seeking clarity and amendments to the various regulations that impact lodge operations – such as restaurant usage and 50% room occupancy. Please click here to read more about the current status and updates as per the TBCSA.
We thank you for the continued support over this period. Stay safe and follow the hygiene protocols put in place to help stop the spread of Covid19.
For more information, please see our previous communication below regarding school holidays, promotions and more:
ADDITIONAL AQUILA SAFARI AVAILABILITY
Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa will be open 7 days a week from 25 June to 27 July 2021. This period overlaps with the South African public and private school holidays.
This operational amendment provides the opportunity to sell overnight safari stays, afternoon safari day trips and new limited edition 1 hour quad and horse back adventures – from Monday to Sunday – at Aquila Private Game Reserve.
CURRENT TRADE SPECIALS
Since reopening during August 2020 we have amended rates, offerings and packages to adapt to the local and domestic sector and have continuously afforded our trade partners the opportunity to also sell discounted rates.
We are pleased to announce that we have extended our 25 June to 27 July 2021 direct deals to trade partners with a commission rate of 12%.
30% OFF RACK:
Overnight safari stays at Aquila, Inverdoorn and Kuganha are reduced by 30% off rack rates for standard stays. This deal is available until end August 2021.
R930.00 AQUILA DAY VISITS:
Aquila Safari is currently offering its traditional afternoon day trip safari (lunch and game drive), OR lunch PLUS either a 1 hour horse back or 1 hour quad bike activity at only R930.00 per person. This is a limited time deal and amendment to our standard programme and only valid until 27 July 2021.
3-4-2 MIDWEEK STAYS:
While Aquila is open for 7 days a week, trade partners can also take advantage of our Aquila Safari 3-4-2 midweek stays. This means, that at the 30% reduced rate, guests can stay for three nights between Sunday and Thursday – and only pay for two nights! This is valid until 27 July 2021 only.
INVERDOORN OPERATIONS:
Please note that Inverdoorn no longer offers day trip safari experiences. All day trip enquiries will be serviced at Aquila Safari.
Inverdoorn and Kuganha continue to be open on Fridays and Saturdays only until end August 2021. Further updates will follow.
CAPE TOWN TRANSFERS:
Transfers between Cape Town hotels and Aquila or Inverdoorn are currently available for day and overnight guests at a minimum of 2 pax per journey.
Please note that current regulations only allow for 70% capacity of the vehicles on the transfer routes. Strict Covid19 hygiene measures are in place and all guests will undergo a pre-screening.
Please make sure you speak to a safari consultant about transfer requirements.
AUGUST LONG WEEKEND:
In preparation of the Women’s Day long weekend: 6 to 9 August 2021, we’d like to update all trade and industry partners that we will be open for an additional night on Sunday the 8th of August at all properties. Aquila will also offer an additional day of afternoon safaris on 8 August 2021.
CRESCENT RATING:
Throughout the holy month of Ramadan we introduced our Ramadan Safari Stays package. We would like to thank trade and industry for their support of this new campaign and offering.
In the lead up to the campaign period, we concluded our application for certification by the global Crescent Rating organisation. We can inform our partners that we have provisionally been awarded a Level 5 Crescent Rating status based on our Halal orientated services and facilities.
We will make a formal announcement once the process is completed.
2022 RATES:
Please note that in an effort to support the global travel and tourism recovery efforts, we have extended our 2019 rates until 31 October 2022.
Should trade partners have any 2023 enquiries, we will honour our current rates for any confirmed 2023 bookings that have a deposit paid.
We will announce 2023 rates closer to the period as we navigate through the tourism recovery period.
ENQUIRIES OUTSIDE OUR CURRENT OPERATIONS:
Please note that we will do our best to honour any and every trade enquiry outside of our current limited offering.
This means (for example) should you have a weekday enquiry for the period 28 July to end August 2021, we will most certainly do our best to host at any of the properties should a minimum pax requirement be met. This includes any day, overnight, conference, event etc. enquiry.
MARLIN MANOR – THE TIP OF AFRICA:
The newest offering from the Aquila Collection – a luxurious private manor at the Southernmost tip of Africa.
Positioned on 650m of private coastline along Marine Drive, the house enjoys a prime location between the coastal towns of Struisbaai and L’Agulhas.
Marlin Manor can accommodate up to 18 guests in 7 ensuite rooms. It is available as a private self catering home, a venue for small functions and weddings, or a film and photography location.
Click here to read more or contact your trade executive for more information.
SAFE SERVICE SAFARIS
Delivering safe and world-class service together with magnificent Cape Town big 5 safaris.
Our Covid19 safari protocols have been certified by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
Please click here to familiarise yourself with the Safe Service Safaris protocol and guest experience.
COMING SOON: KAMAGU HOMESTEAD & SAFARI LODGE
We are in the final stages of launching Kamagu Homestead and Safari Lodge and we cannot wait to share more details with our partners.
This unique farm stay offering is just outside of Cape Town and will welcome families to enjoy an exclusive farm stay. Here are some images of the experience:
A BIG THANK YOU!
We wish to thank you for your continued support on the road to recovery. The Aquila Collection is working hard to ensure we constantly evolve the guest experience and adding more offerings and products to the tourism sector of the Western Cape.
Please get in touch if you need more information, want to arrange a coffee meeting and share updates with us – or even setup a quick chat on Zoom. We are here – with you!