Aquila Collection Expands into the Cape west coast

Cape Town, South Africa – Aquila Collection announced the acquisition of L’Ermitage Quagga Lodge on the Cape West Coast, expanding the group’s portfolio of distinctive Cape experiences and adding a new itinerary anchor that supports bucket-list travel across the Cape region.

The property will be relaunched as Quagga River Lodge, positioned as a tranquil, nature-led river retreat on the Berg River near Velddrif, approximately 145 km (+2 hours’ drive) from Cape Town, with approximately 1.4 km of river frontage.

The addition strengthens Aquila Collection’s ability to offer trade partners more flexible, high-converting Cape routing options that combine scenery, wildlife and storytelling. Aquila Collection now offers bucket-list options spanning the Karoo, the South Coast at the southernmost tip of Africa, and into the West Coast, enabling tour operators and travel designers to build unique multi-stop Cape itineraries that extend length of stay and broaden the activity mix beyond a single destination.

Quagga River Lodge will be positioned as contemporary, easy-to-sell riverfront self-catering with strong appeal for FIT, couples, friends and small families. The product includes five modern, off-grid solar-powered units located close to the river, each offering a two-bedroom, two-bathroom (en-suite) configuration, fully equipped kitchens, comfortable lounge and dining areas, and seamless indoor/outdoor living with braai facilities.

The lodge is also well placed for West Coast touring, including Velddrif, Port Owen, Langebaan and Paternoster, and the region’s renowned spring flower season (between August and September). A minimum two-night stay applies during peak season, long weekends and school holidays.

At the heart of the relaunch is the Quagga Project, a rare conservation narrative centred on the re-emergence of quagga-like zebra traits through selective breeding, creating a story that is both guest-facing and highly marketable for trade partners seeking distinctive, purpose-led product.

The acquisition also supports Aquila Collection’s wider commitment to expanding conservation programming across the portfolio, joining the group’s established, award-winning efforts including the Aquila Animal Rescue Centre, Saving Private Rhino, and the Inverdoorn Cheetah Conservation Programme.

Quagga River Lodge will be available to partners through the Aquila Collection Trade Relations Programme, providing commissionable booking opportunities and dedicated trade support to simplify packaging, quoting and conversion.

Trade factsheets, imagery and booking guidelines will be shared directly with partners as the relaunch communications cycle progresses.