Experience a full day in the Mother City historic tour with a private guide and experience Robben Island, Long March to Freedom, Canal Walk, & V&A Waterfront (where you will enjoy your lunch). This private day tour is relaxed and enjoyable for guests who prefer complete flexibility at the attractions in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series has become a real summer staple in Cape Town. There’s nothing quite like celebrating the vibrant summer season than to the cool beats and epic sounds of some of the best local and international music acts.
Groot Constantia’s is testimony of how one man’s love for wine established South Africa’s first wine farm in 1685. Our wines are from rich African soil, crafted to perfection. Groot Constantia memories are part of literature and heritage and embodies the timeless endeavour to perfection. Our heritage stands for growth, life and beauty. It is alive and vibrant, like the vineyards we hold dear. It is in our hearts.
The guide hadn’t checked if the ferry actually went to Robben Island that day, and it turned out it was closed for tourists. He didn’t have a back up plan either, and ended up taking us to a zoo instead.
Abel is a brilliant guide with so much enthusiasm - the wintry weather meant we couldn’t do Robben Island but we certainly made up for that! Abel curated a fantastic tour with lots of fun activities - and was more than happy to stop for random ostrich photos on the beach!! Thanks, Abel !!!
After booking, the tour operator informed me that the tour's pick up time for was 7:30am sharp. At 7:35 am on the day of the tour, I contacted the tour operator to let them know that I hadn't been picked up yet and asked if they were coming to get me or had the Robben Island Tour been canceled. I contacted the tour operator again at 7:48 am, and again no response. I ended up reaching out to Viator for a refund.
This tour is advertised as a tour with a PRIVATE GUIDE,” which I believe is a false description. Yes, my wife and I were the only 2 people on the tour, and we were picked up by a “private tour guide.” However, our “private tour guide,” JoJo, picked us up at our hotel and drove us to the Kirstenbosch Gardens where he told us where to go to purchase our tickets and informed us of the time he would return to pick us up for the next tour. We entered and toured the gardens by ourselves for about 75 minutes until we were fortunate enough to join a free scheduled volunteer-led guided tour of the gardens (for about an hour due to our time constraints). The volunteer guide informed us about the history of the gardens, the various flowers in the sections we toured, and she was fantastic and very knowledgeable. Our “private tour guide” then picked us up in Kirstenbosch Gardens at the appointed time, and he drove us to Groot Constantia Winery. Again, he told us where to go to purchase tickets for a wine tasting and informed us of the time he would return to pick us up for the next tour. The wines we tasted were very good. However, we did not purchase any wines because of the extremely high cost to ship the wines to the USA. The shipping cost alone would have been equivalent to the cost to purchase 6 bottles of wine for every one bottle we purchased. I recorded the names of the wines I liked, and I will see if I can purchase them from a wine seller near my home. We also toured the onsite museum where we learned about the history of the winery, including how Black slaves were used to work in the winery. Additionally, we purchased lunch at the winery, which was very good. There was no tour of the winery facilities itself, which was disappointing. Our “private tour guide” again picked us up at Groot Constantia Winery at the appointed time, and he drove us to the Cape Town harbor for the boat ride to Robbins Island Prison. He again informed us of the time he would return to pick us up after the Robbins Island Prison tour. Going to the prison was a very emotional experience, and it was made more so because our prison guide was also a political prisoner who was incarcerated for about 7 years at the prison, and he was imprisoned along with Nelson Mandela and many others. It is very admirable that he chooses to serve as a guide and relive his experience to tourists, and he exhibited a surprisingly cheerful manner at a place that could only be described as horrible, painful and inhumane for him and the other incarcerated political prisoners. Our “private tour guide” picked us up at the Cape Town harbor at the appointed time, and he drove us to back to our hotel. My low rating is due to the FALSE description of the tour as being with a “PRIVATE GUIDE.” Our “private tour guide” was essentially a driver who took us to 3 different locations for sightseeing. We have done a few other Viator privately guided tours, and this tour DEFINITELY WAS NOT a “privately guided tour.” I must say that our “private tour guide,” JoJo, was very pleasant and punctual, and he did inform us of the sights along the way as he drove us to our various destinations, as well as the sights we would see and experience at each of our respective destinations.
Jojo is very nice and gives you time to go at your own pace. I would take another tour in the future!
First the positives. Jojo was a pleasant guide. He was punctual and a safe driver. Robbens Island experience really touched us in terms of the way Tory outlined things on the bus and Sparks an ex political prisoner described things to us in the prison. I had no idea the suffering and cruelty they experienced and hearing it from someone who lived it put it on a whole other levels. Unfortunately the weather was pretty bad when we went- the wind and the rain made for pretty rough going heading to the island that was exponentially worse coming back. That weather also made for less than conducive to explore the Gardens much. We skipped the wine tasting with the weather. Tour would be great with good weather so would recommend- you just cannot plan for Mother Nature!
First the positives. Jojo was a pleasant guide. He was punctual and a safe driver. Robbens Island experience really touched us in terms of the way Tory outlined things on the bus and Sparks an ex political prisoner described things to us in the prison. I had no idea the suffering and cruelty they experienced and hearing it from someone who lived it put it on a whole other levels. Unfortunately the weather was pretty bad when we went- the wind and the rain made for pretty rough going heading to the island that was exponentially worse coming back. That weather also made for less than conducive to explore the Gardens much. We skipped the wine tasting with the weather. Tour would be great with good weather so would recommend- you just cannot plan for Mother Nature!
The whole tour was incredible, the history at Robben Island and a chance to hear stories from ex inmates was a memory that will last a lifetime. Kirstenbosch like the rest of Cape Town is so beautiful and the wine tasting at the end capped off a great tour! Jojo was the best guide, doing a great job driving us between each stop and sharing information.
The ferry was not in operation due to bad weather conditions; they could have known that already at the time of booking..
Georgeo, our tour guide, was professional, friendly and accommodating. Robben island was educational . Both the Island Staff tour guide and the tour guide that had been a political prisoner, offered a clear picture of the Island’s history, both recent and distant. The gardens were beautiful, even though it’s winter here. The food at Moyo offered the perfect comfort food for the time of year. Groot Constancia wineries offered a wine tasting of 5 of their wines. Each wine delivered a pleasant and distinct set of flavourful characteristics. We finished with the Groot Constana dessert wine that was once popular with both Napoleon and Jane Austin. This wine, I believe, is up there and perhaps better than some the best Ice wine, Port or Tokaji wines that I have had the chance to try. Thank you Shine the Way Tour’s.
Jojo was a very kind and thoughtful operator. When constantia’a electricity went out he drove us to an atm to get cash and return. If we asked for slight adjustments he was present. The tour was well organized and he was friendly and knowledgeable the whole way. I super recommend a tour with him!
It was an awesome experience and our driver jojo was the best we felt comfortable and safe and he was very kind to us if possible I would recommend him.....such a truly incredible experience both of the trip and the driver
Money well spent, great experience. Planning to go back again with my family. My partner was Abit scared of the boat ride, it was not that bad. At the end he enjoyed it alot. Thank you very much
My recent tour of Cape Town was made unforgettable by our exceptional tour guide. Their knowledge of the city's history, culture, and hidden gems was truly impressive. They navigated us through bustling streets and serene landscapes with ease, providing insightful commentary at every turn. If you're planning a trip to this vibrant city, don't miss the opportunity to explore it with such a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide.
it was really a good experience and professional service That was my first being at griot Constantia the best wine testing farm I will like to have this tour again Thank you guy for making my day perfect.
Jojo was a perfect driver for us, he's nice and speaks an excellent French (and English as well). Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia are great sites that deserve to be visited. Jacques
A well organised trip from Robben Island to Botanical garden and then concluded with wine tasting at the oldest winery in South Africa, Constantin. The family enjoyed the trip. The driver was prompt and was already at our hotel an hour early, and waited for us.
Jo Jo was amazing and ensured we entered each excursion with no problems!!! He’s so professional and friendly, I would definitely recommend. Plenty of time was allotted for each excursion. Thank you Jo Jo!!
Excellent experience- 5 star! Jo Jo was punctual, polite, engaging and entertaining- the tour was interesting and a good mix- from the harrowing Robben Island tour to beautiful and uplifting kirstenbosch gardens ending with some delicious wine tasting in Groot Constantia. A fabulous day! Thankyou Jojo!
The tour was very welcoming, I really enjoyed the day I loved Kirstenbosch Gardens and the Robben Island,the view was amazing,the driver was polite and very friendly. Overall good time! Recommend 100%
The service was excellent i really loved the sightseeing and i enjoyed the day the driver was polite and welcoming, 5 stars
Seeing Nelson Mandela' prison cell ,learning about how prisoners were treated and taking pictures with family on the surroundings of the place
Our guide, Jojo, was exceptional, very knowledgeable and easygoing. He was very kind because he agreed to slightly changed the itinerary at our request. Highly recommended tour and tour guide.
Super punctual and attentive! A pity the day was cold and cloudy, because I believe it would have been better. It's worth it!
On met la note de 4 car le service etait top de la prise en charge le chauffeur etait super ponctuel tres clair dans les instructions et il repondait a toutes nos questions. L organisation du circuit c est fait dans l ordre et on a eu assez de temps pour tout faire et profiter de chaque site. Seul bémol le prix ça reste cher pour ce que c est
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