Hearing what political prisoners endured made me appreciate the freedoms we have today. It was humbling to visit such an important place. Having transfers arranged made the experience easier from a practical point of view.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Entrance fees to Robben Island
- Air-Conditioned Vehicle with WiFi on Board.
Excludes
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Pick up at accommodation in Cape Town. You will receive a shared transfer from your hotel in Cape Town to the Silo District where you will be escorted to the Nelson Mandela Gateway.
We will make our way to the Silo District where you will be escorted to the Nelson Mandela Gateway. Here you will charter a shared to Robben Island museum where you will be met by a former political prisoner who will conduct the tour of the Island. (Please note that our tour guide/driver will not be joining you on the tour of the Robben Island museum.) The entire tour lasts +-4 hours which includes hotel pick up. For part of the tour, you will be transported around the island by bus, before you visit the prison cell of Nelson Mandela and take the long walk to freedom. Upon our arrival back at the Jetty, your tour guide or driver will meet you at the entrance of the Nelson Mandela Gateway. . Visit the man-made facilities . Get to see where isolate South African leaders, including Jacob Zuma, Kgalema Motlanthe, and Nelson Mandela . Explore African penguin
Upon our arrival back at the Jetty, your tour guide or driver will meet you at the entrance of the Nelson Mandela Gateway and drive you back to your hotel as per our arrangement.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
There were moments during the tour when I just wanted to pause and take everything in. The stories were powerful, and the history felt very real. The transport arrangements helped the day feel organised.
I learned things I had never fully understood from reading history alone. Hearing the stories in that setting made a real difference. I also appreciated having transport arranged instead of worrying about the logistics myself.
The visit was both difficult and inspiring. Learning about the sacrifices made during the struggle for freedom left a lasting impression on me. The transfer arrangements added convenience to an already memorable day.
This tour offered something deeper than beautiful views and photographs. The stories gave me a lot to think about, and the island’s history was genuinely moving. The transfer service helped make everything more convenient.
This is a very good experience to visit Robben island. Very informative and good to have an ex prisoner do our tour. The only point to note is not to do this tour if you get sea sick. We don’t luckily but even we felt queasy onboard as the boat is extremely rocky.
Even before reaching the island, the ferry journey gave the day a special feeling. Once there, the stories brought the history to life. It was an emotional and educational experience, with convenient transport arrangements.
I came away with a better understanding of South Africa’s past. Some parts of the tour were difficult to hear about, but that is what made it so meaningful. The arranged transfers were useful and convenient.
What affected me most was hearing about the people behind the historical events - their families, their struggles, and their hopes. The experience felt personal, and the transfers made the trip easier to manage.
I found myself imagining what life must have been like for the people imprisoned there. It was an emotional visit, but an important one. The transport arrangements helped take the stress out of planning the day.
Robben Island is not simply another tourist attraction. The stories make you stop and think about the human cost of apartheid. Having transfers arranged also made the outing more convenient.
Hearing about the determination of the prisoners was inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time. It reminded me how powerful hope can be. The transfer arrangements were another welcome part of the experience.
It was convenient having the transport arrangements taken care of. The ferry ride offered lovely views, but the most memorable part was learning about the island’s difficult history and the people who lived through it.
It was so amazing I would 💯 recommend it
This visit reminded me never to take freedom for granted. Listening to the stories of those who endured imprisonment was humbling. The transfers also helped the day run more smoothly.
I expected an ordinary sightseeing tour, but the stories made it much more personal. Hearing about the struggle for freedom gave me a different appreciation of South African history. The arranged transport was convenient.
The transfer made travelling to the tour much less stressful. Once on the island, I was deeply moved by the history and the stories of courage and sacrifice. Definitely a meaningful experience.
A must-do in Cape Town. I knew a little about Robben Island before, but being there and hearing the stories from our guide made it so much more real and powerful. Very moving and educational. The tour was well organized with pre-booked tickets and transport from Cape Town, so we didn't have to worry about anything. Thank you to the team!
Walking around the island while learning about its past gave me goosebumps. It is one thing to read about history, but another to stand where it happened. The transfers made the day more convenient, too.
Some of the stories were difficult to hear, especially those about the hardships prisoners experienced. I left feeling grateful and thoughtful. The transport arrangements helped make the visit straightforward.
Complete RIPOFF! Save your money and book directly on the Robben Island website. There, the price for two adults was $101 CAD. TripAdvisor charged us $249!!! So we spent an extra $149 for a transfer when an Uber would have cost $5! So save your money and just book directly with Robben Island.
It got canceled due 11.5 ft waves and high winds...we were unable to reschedule due to leaving the next day.
Listening to a former prisoner share his firsthand experiences is one of the most moving parts of the Robben Island tour. These stories help visitors understand the challenges endured and the incredible courage shown during the fight against apartheid.
Very interesting trip. The guides were very easy to listen to and knew all the facts about the island and the prison. We heard from a former prisoner which was interesting but also sad…
The most memorable part of the experience was the views and the sea breeze and the setting was so lively and festive
We drove past the quarry and older buildings before entering the prison. The former inmate shared personal stories while we stood in the cells. It felt raw and human. Quiet ferry ride back.
They collected us quickly and everything felt organised. The ferry was calm. Inside the prison the ex-prisoner spoke about daily routines and how people kept going. A couple of unexpected jokes lightened the mood. Left feeling thoughtful.
Pickup was smooth from our Sea Point hotel. On the island the bus gave a good overview, then we walked through the maximum security section. The guide who had been imprisoned there spoke calmly about his experiences. Standing in those small cells stayed with me.
The prison section hit harder than I expected. The former prisoner shared real stories about the cells and the hard labour. A few light comments helped. Meaningful morning.
They picked us up from Hotel Sky right on time. The bus took us around the island first, past the old church and the quarry. Inside the prison the ex-prisoner guide spoke about daily life there with quiet honesty and a couple of dry jokes. Standing in Mandela’s cell felt heavy. Left feeling quiet and reflective.
Pickup was quick and the whole process felt organised. We walked through the cells while the former inmate shared personal stories. A few unexpected jokes lightened the mood. Quiet and powerful experience.
The bus tour gave a good overview of the island. Inside the maximum security prison the ex-prisoner spoke about daily life and resilience. Left feeling reflective.
They collected us from Hotel Sky on time. The prison section hit hard but the guide's quiet humour kept it balanced. Standing in Mandela's cell stayed with me. Meaningful morning.
The ferry was pleasant. On the island we saw the prison blocks and the quarry. The former prisoner shared real experiences with calm strength. Felt both sobered and grateful.
Standing in those small cells while listening to personal stories was powerful. The bus had given good context earlier. A couple of light comments from the guide helped. Reflective half day.
Boat, bus, walk with guide who was a x prisoner. Very interesting to hear the history of this place. Not sure it’s for young kids, I’m also not sure that it’s wheelchair friendly. That’s a question that could be asked before booking.
They picked us up fast from the Cape Grace. On the island the bus showed the wider layout, including the old church area. Inside the prison the guide's honesty made it feel very real. Left feeling quiet.
The prison walk with the former inmate was the heart of the tour. He spoke about the hard labour and the small ways people kept going. Quiet ferry ride back. Glad we did it.
The bus took us around the island first. Then the ex-prisoner shared small details about daily life while we stood in the cells. Felt both heavy and hopeful by the end.
They picked us up from Sea Point and we were on our way quickly. The ferry was calm. Inside the prison the personal stories hit hard. A few dry jokes helped balance it. Meaningful morning.
We saw the cells, the quarry area, and some of the older buildings. The guide who lived through it spoke honestly and even made us smile a few times. Left feeling thoughtful.
Worth getting up early for Pickup from the Taj Hotel was smooth. The bus gave context, then the prison walk with the ex-inmate made everything feel close. His stories about daily life stayed with me. Quiet and powerful.
The prison section was the strongest part. The former prisoner spoke about hardship and resilience with calm clarity. Standing in Mandela's cell was the most moving moment. A good half day.
They collected us quickly from the Waterfront. Inside the prison the guide shared real experiences while we walked through the cells. The bus had shown the quarry earlier. Felt heavy but important.
The ferry was fine. On the island we saw the prison blocks and some of the older structures. The ex-prisoner spoke about life there in a straightforward way. A few light comments helped. Left feeling reflective.
The guide picked us up from Hotel Sky right on time. The bus tour showed the island layout, then the prison walk made it personal. His honesty about the hard days and the small acts of hope stuck with me. Felt both sobered and grateful.
This was a truly memorable and eye-opening experience. From the journey through the surrounding area to visiting the prison and hearing personal stories from a former inmate, every part of the experience felt authentic and meaningful. Standing inside the cells and listening to the stories gave us a deeper understanding of the history and the human experiences connected to the place. The experience was well organized, informative, and emotionally powerful without feeling overwhelming. The quiet ferry ride back was also a beautiful way to reflect on everything we had seen and learned. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone looking for something meaningful, educational, and different from the usual tourist activities.
This tour was worth it. My ticket was sent to me via WhatsApp the night before. My driver Massai picked me up and walked me right up to the area where you board the ferry. Robben Island itself is a good, informative tour. You should know some of South Africa’s history before going in order to better understand the political situation and subsequent pain that the tour guides endured. Overall it was a good visit!
They picked us up fast and the whole process felt organised. The ferry was calm. Inside the prison the ex-prisoner spoke about daily routines and how people kept going. A couple of unexpected jokes lightened the mood. Left feeling thoughtful.
Pickup was on time from our Sea Point hotel. On the island the bus gave a good overview, then we walked through the maximum security section. The guide who had been imprisoned there spoke calmly about his experiences. Standing in those small cells stayed with me. A meaningful half day.
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
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