Thank you Beyond Africa! Although there was a last minute change to our hotel pick up time it worked out wonderfully. The 2 hr morning drive to Aquila's 22,000 acre reserve was a continuous jaw-dropping landscape of 6000' majestic mountains & vineyards. Upon our 8am arrival at the reserve, we were served a welcome cocktail & good buffet breakfast then headed out at 10am for the 2 hr game drive with "Max". It was such a thrill to be in wide open spaces surrounded by mountains where we got so close to hippos, ostrich, zebras, rhinos, eland and elephants! The lions are in separate "enclosure" but you get right up to them for fascinating views & photos. It rained off & on so we do recommend packing your raincoat since the complimentary ponchos are a bit thin & short. The buffet lunch after the drive was abundant w/many tasty choices! We had read some reviews about travelers disappointed that it felt like a zoo...but NOT us! Our friends were amazed at the photos & videos we posted in social media. In fact, our entire day's experience, ESPECIALLY our guide Clemente M., was an absolute South Africa highlight! Clemente gave us a wealth of information about the history of townships we traveled through, development of tunnels, effects of apartheid/colonization, and all in such a sensitive manner. He went ABOVE & BEYOND in making us feel so welcome & appreciated, that we will be HIGHLY recommending this tour to all our friends at home.