Your Table Mountain adventure begins at the Lower Cableway Station, where you’ll join a short queue for the rotating cable car. In just 5 minutes, the cableway ascends to the top, offering incredible 360° views during the ride. At the summit, you’ll have time to explore the flat-topped mountain, with its breathtaking views of Cape Town, Robben Island, the Twelve Apostles, and even Cape Point on a clear day. There are three well-marked walking trails at the top, catering to different fitness levels and interests: • Dassie Walk – A gentle stroll with excellent viewpoints. • Agnas Path – A slightly longer route with amazing city views. • Klantzkloof Trail – For the more adventurous, leading toward the back of the mountain. You can also relax at the mountain-top café, which serves fresh food, coffee, wine, and light snacks—perfect for enjoying a meal with a view.
Begin your journey to one of South Africa’s most iconic heritage sites at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, where you’ll board a ferry to Robben Island. The boat ride offers beautiful views of Table Bay and Cape Town. After disembarking at Murray’s Bay Harbour, you’ll take a short walk past historic buildings and a high wall built by prisoners in the 1960s. You’ll then board a bus for a guided tour around the island, led by knowledgeable Robben Island guides. This deeply moving tour includes key sites such as the leprosy graveyard, lime and bluestone quarries, Robert Sobukwe’s house, military bunkers, and the infamous Maximum-Security Prison. The experience ends with a visit to Nelson Mandela’s prison cell, where he spent 18 years. Note: Your guide will accompany you to the departure point, but the tour on the island is conducted by official Robben Island Museum staff.
Our guide Ivan was absolutely brilliant. Nothing was too much trouble for him. Only negative of the day was the amount of time going around the island on the bus left too little time to fully enjoy the actual prison. We were rushed through the tour and did not have enough time there.
Tour Review Very disappointing — this was not a tour, it was an overpriced taxi service. We booked this experience expecting a guided tour of Robben Island and Table Mountain, and paid extra for the “fast track” service. Unfortunately, the experience fell well short of expectations. Our pickup was 30 minutes late, with no communication or notification. I had to repeatedly call for an update. As a result, we were among the last people to board the ferry to Robben Island. If this is what the “fast track” service means, I’m not sure what we actually paid extra for. There was also no guide waiting for us at the ferry terminal. The driver simply pointed us in the direction of the ferry and we had to find our own way. The Robben Island experience itself was fantastic, and the guides on the island were excellent — but that was nothing to do with the tour company. After returning, we eventually met a tour representative who introduced us to our Table Mountain guide. He was a nice chap, but said very little during the drive. Once at Table Mountain, he accompanied us onto the cable car and then told us we could spend as much time as we wanted and that he would meet us again at the cable car. So… where was the tour? 🤷♂️ We had a great time exploring Table Mountain, but we did it entirely ourselves. Overall, I would not recommend this tour. We paid extra for a “fast track” guided experience, but what we received was essentially transport between two attractions with very little guiding or support. The attractions themselves were fantastic, but the tour service was extremely disappointing and certainly not worth the money we paid. 😞
This was a great experience! I have been wanting to go up table mountain forever and it was lovely! The Robben Island tour was also fascinating and very important historically.
Did the full day with Robben Island first. The guide’s personal stories about the prison and the quarry really stayed with me. Then heading up Table Mountain later felt like a beautiful balance. The summit was stunning …clear skies, strong wind, and views that stretch for miles. It’s not an easy day emotionally, but the mix of reflection and natural beauty made it very special.
The morning on Robben Island was intense but so worth it. The ex-prisoner guide had us laughing at some unexpected moments while showing us the cells and talking about daily life there. By afternoon we were on Table Mountain and I couldn’t stop smiling the fresh air, dramatic rocks and those endless views were just what we needed after the morning. Going from tiny prison cells to standing on top of the mountain in one day is wild! 😂 Highly recommend this combo.
We started with Robben Island in the morning and I’m still thinking about it. The ex-prisoner guide was amazing he showed us Mandela’s cell and the lime quarry, sharing stories that were tough but told with so much warmth and the occasional joke that made the group smile. After that emotional morning, Table Mountain in the afternoon felt like pure joy. The cable car ride with the rotating floor was fun, and the views from the flat top were breathtaking. The contrast between the two places in one day was something I’ll never forget.
The Robben Island part hit me harder than I thought it would. Hearing the ex-prisoner talk about life in the cells and the quarry was powerful and moving. Then we headed to Table Mountain and it felt like a complete reset the rotating cable car, the fresh mountain air, and those endless views from the flat top were just what we needed. Such a beautifully contrasting day. One I’ll remember for a long time.
We did the Robben Island and Table Mountain combo and it was honestly one of the most memorable days of our trip. The morning on Robben Island was powerful our ex-prisoner guide showed us Mandela’s cell and the lime quarry, sharing stories with such honesty and the occasional witty comment that made the heavy history easier to take in. In the afternoon we went up Table Mountain and the views from the flat top were absolutely breathtaking you could see the whole city, ocean, and mountains stretching out forever. The contrast between the two experiences in one day was wild but perfect.
What a full-on day! Robben Island in the morning was intense and eye-opening , the guide’s personal stories about the quarry and cells really stayed with me. By the time we got to Table Mountain in the afternoon I was emotionally tired and very hungry 😂 But once we reached the top, the fresh air and panoramic views made everything worth it. Going from tiny prison cells to standing on one of the world’s most famous mountains in the same day is pretty special.
The Robben Island tour was deeply moving, especially seeing the maximum security prison and hearing real stories from the ex-prisoner about daily life there. After that emotional morning, Table Mountain felt like a beautiful gift. The cable car ride was smooth and the summit was stunning dramatic rocks, bright fynbos flowers, and endless views. The shift from one to the other in a single day was something I’ll never forget.
Morning pickup from the Radisson RED and straight into an intense but amazing Robben Island tour. The ex-prisoner guide had us laughing one minute and completely silent the next while walking through the prison blocks. Then in the afternoon we headed to Table Mountain. Standing on that massive flat summit with the wind blowing and views in every direction after the morning’s reality check felt surreal. My brain kept saying “how is this the same day?” 😂 Definitely recommend this combo.
An excellent way to spend a spare day in Cape Town. We had beautiful weather and the views from Table Mountain were spectacular. And the visit to Robben Island should be done by everyone.
It was a fun filled day . Started off with my tour to Robben Island. Very interesting history , it was insightful and I’m glad I was part of this experience. Cape Town is a beautiful city and Table Mountain was the icing on the cake ! Very beautiful landscape view from the top wow ! It was so amazing!!
The guide Faisal took us from our hotel to the ferry port to go to Robben Island. Robben Island Tour was great! And then we got back and met Faisal who took us to the cable cart to go to the table Mountain. Unfortunately the weather wasn't great but we got to tour and have a nice walk with the children. Faisal was very patient with us too
Morning pickup from the Taj Hotel for Robben Island the ex-prisoner guide was outstanding and even made us chuckle at times despite the serious topic. After that they dropped us at Table Mountain. Standing on the plateau looking down after everything we’d heard that morning felt surreal. It’s not every day you go from tiny prison cells to feeling on top of the world in just a few hours. Brilliant day!
They collected us from Hotel Sky and made the whole day effortless. Robben Island was deeply moving our guide had this calm strength that really stayed with me. A few hours later we were riding the cable car up Table Mountain, laughing at how fast we went from prison cells to one of the most beautiful views in the world. The emotional shift was wild but wonderful. Such a memorable Cape Town experience.
They picked us up from the Taj Hotel in the morning and the day was brilliantly organised. Robben Island was powerful our ex-prisoner guide was honest, moving, and even threw in some dry humour that had everyone smiling. After returning, they took us straight up Table Mountain. Going from Mandela’s tiny cell to standing on the flat top with those insane 360 views was mind-blowing. The contrast was crazy but perfect. One of the best days we had in Cape Town.
Very interesting . Excellent guides. Comfortable sea crossing. If in Cape Town this is a trip you must book.
What a day, very full with boat trip to and tour of Robben island prison where Mandela spent so many years . The island bus tour guide and the former inmate who spoke so eloquently and with amazing humility gave us great insights into the backdrop of Apartheid and the resulting deaths and imprisonments in awful conditions . Very sobering . The trip up to table mountain is amazing with such tremendous views and spend time at the top inc the cafe/restaurant . The cable car itself revolves to tide everyone great views. Our tour company Cape Coast Explore were amazing from hotel pickup , Escorting us to and from the ferry and to table mountain inc the cable car to the top and back to hotel . To be looked after in that way is so comforting and they resolved a hiccup with our cable car tickets . My advice is to check what appears in your Viator online booking meets with what you booked as our itinerary appeared switched around but actually went as booked . Essential to let Viator have you phone number esp if you are on WhatsApp , it helps to be get in touch before and throughout the tour . What a wonderful day
Excellent trip. Very efficiently organised and supported throughout by your friendly staff. 3 Bucket List item Robbin Island, Penguin and Table Mountain ticked in one day
Excellent service - the whole day! From pickup to drop off we were on time and provided all the information we needed - plus more. Highly recommend booking this tour!
What a treat!! Ivan did a fantastic job and was punctual, knowledgeable, and had a great sense of humor. Everything went smoothly from pick-up to drop-off. The views from Table Mountain were breathtaking. The cable ride takes about 5 minutes to reach the plateau and once there they have walking trails that range from 15 minutes to 1+ hour to explore. The Robben Island portion of the tour involves a ferry to/from the island. There's a bus you will board on arrival that goes around a portion of the island and a guide from the museum will explain a lot of the complex history. Once concluded, you are dropped off at the prison where a former inmate will tell you their story, show you around and answer any questions you might have. This was a the perfect start to my visit to South Africa and I highly recommend it, thank you!!
Anyone who visits capetown should do the Robben Island tour. The guides are former political prisoners of Robben Island. Great tour .and table mountain is spectacular scenery.
My family had the best experience at Robben Island, it was very emotional but im glad my children enjoyed the experience and the background of our history, we got proper guidance and it was fun too with all the tears we shared... Thank you thats all my family would say
This is must do in cape Town our flight landed a little bit late but we well given an opportunity to reschedule robben island tour was an emotional experience i was happy to have this tour with a formal inmate guide who shared his person experience it was good spending the sunset on the top of mountain
my overall experience with being in Robben Island was great from the beginning to when we received a tour in and learnt about the great history of South Africa
We started with table mountain tour the view from the top was beyond my imagination cable car was rotating so we couldn't miss the views but I was a little bit disappointed with the closure of Robben Island museum due to the maintenance but we were offered a city tour instead
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