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Day trip

Cape Town: Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Townships Tour

4.5  / 5386 reviews
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Day trip
Cape Town: Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Townships Tour
4.5  / 5386 reviews

Visit some of the notorious townships of Cape Town, including District Six, and learn more about South Africa's apartheid policies. Then, visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 3 days in advance for a full refund
Duration 8 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Pickup included
Pickup is available from hotels, guesthouses and accommodations within 10 kilometers of the city center. Pickup time depends on your hotel location. Pickup from Rondebosch, Observatory, Mowbray, Woodstock takes place between 7:30 AM-8:15 AM; from Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, Sea Point, Green Point, Waterfront between 8 AM-8:30 AM; from City Center, Gardens, Tamboerskloof between 8:30 AM-9:00 AM. If you are staying outside the pickup area, the meeting point will be outside the V&A Waterfront Hotel between 8:40 AM-8:50 AM.
Wheelchair accessible

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

B
Beatrice – Kenya

The Township tour was excellent. Sam gave detailed history of township..

B
Beatrice – Kenya
V
Vanja – Sweden

Sam is such a kind person and an amazing guide! After picking me up at hotel, it started with a drive through District Six, while talking about history. His knowledge is impressive and he is happy to answer any question. It was great introduction before stopping in Langa, where you can hear more about the past, the current situation and unfortunatelly, still present apartheid leftovers today. Another local guide, Sam's friend, showed me the area, kindergarten, homemade beer production, and shaman's "office". It was so informative, heartbreaking and so real. If you want to experience real Cape Town and real life of inhabitants, this tour is for you!

V
Vanja – Sweden

Experience

Itinerary

  • Timeline stop icon

    Pickup location:

    Cape Town

  • Timeline stop icon

    District Six

    (30 minutes)

  • Bus/coach

    (30 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Langa, South Africa

    (1 hour)

  • Bonteheuwel

  • Timeline stop icon

    Gugulethu

    (30 minutes)

    V&A Waterfront

    Lunch (45 minutes)

    Optional

  • Timeline stop icon

    Robben Island

    (4 hours)

  • Finish at:

    V&A Waterfront, 1 Breakwater Blvd, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

Main stop
Other stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Learn about life under apartheid in some of the townships of Cape Town
  • Visit the townships of Langa, Bonteheuwel and Gugulethu
  • Meet a traditional African healer, see local beer being made and visit a primary school
  • Get the chance to support local businesses and markets

Full description

Discover some of Cape Town's most famous townships on a guided tour in an air-conditioned minivan. Visit District Six, take a walking tour in Langa, and learn about Bonteheuwel as you drive through it. After, explore Robben Island on your own with an included ferry ticket. Explore District Six, where 60,000 inhabitants were forcibly removed during the 1970s by the apartheid regime. Drive to Langa and learn the history of the oldest township at sites like the Old Pass Office and the monument to Robert Sobukwe. Learn about life during apartheid on a walking tour of the hostels and shacks. Visit a shebeen (pub), try some homemade beer, and see a traditional healer in action Then, drive through the Bonteheuwel township, reserved for the "colored" community during the days of apartheid. Hear about the division of people and its impact on the communities today. See the Gugulethu 7 Memorial to the members of an anti-apartheid group killed by the South African Police in 1986, and the memorial to the American student Amy Biehl, murdered by PAC supporters in 1993. Afterward, get dropped off at the V&A Waterfront to take your ferry to Robben Island.

Includes

  • Robben Island ferry ticket
  • Driver/guide
  • Hotel pick-up
  • Private transportation by air-conditioned minivan
  • Hotel drop-off
  • Tips (optional)

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Important information

What to bring

  • Passport or ID card, copy accepted

Know before you go

  • A moderate amount of walking is involved
  • The Robben Island ticket is subject to availability and weather conditions. If the ferry gets canceled after the township tour has taken place, you will be given the chance to reschedule (based on availability) or receive a partial refund
  • You will get the opportunity to support local businesses and markets throughout the tour
  • The tour ends at the Robben Island ferry gateway, following which you can make your own way back to your hotel

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 386 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.7/5
  • Transportation
    4.6/5
  • Service
    4.5/5
  • Organization
    4.4/5

Customer photos

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Recommended
B
Beatrice – KenyaDecember 15, 2024  – Verified booking
The Township tour was excellent. Sam gave detailed history of township..
Helpful?
V
Vanja – SwedenMay 13, 2024  – Verified booking
Sam is such a kind person and an amazing guide! After picking me up at hotel, it started with a drive through District Six, while talking about history. His knowledge is impressive and he is happy to answer any question. It was great introduction before stopping in Langa, where you can hear more about the past, the current situation and unfortunatelly, still present apartheid leftovers today. Another local guide, Sam's friend, showed me the area, kindergarten, homemade beer production, and shaman's "office". It was so informative, heartbreaking and so real. If you want to experience real Cape Town and real life of inhabitants, this tour is for you!
Helpful?
N
Neil – United KingdomApril 14, 2024  – Verified booking
this was an experience quite different from a regular tourist experience. it gets you into the heart of the community to really experience and embrace the culture of a diverse city.
Helpful?

Product ID: 125879

Activity provider:Sams Cultural Tours

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