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For me, it’s important, when visiting a place, to learn, understand, relate to and enjoy the culture that you’re participating in. This cannot be possible in Cape Town without visiting Robben Island. South Africa has a vast history and I’d recommend starting here.
Robben Island was declared a National Monument in 1996, a National Museum in 1997, a World Heritage Site in 1999 and a National Heritage Site in 2006.
The tour experience starts at the the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V & A Waterfront. There are a few exhibits and information about the island while you wait for the ferry.
The ferry does 2 trips a day and the tours have a round trip time of about 4 hours.
Cost – $250 Rand or $25
TIPS:
The ferry actually sells out pretty fast some days. Best to book in advance so you don’t miss it.
Book this activity right at the start of your visit to Cape Town. It really lays the ground work for the history of the city and South Africa.
The ferry ride is very bumpy. Several people were sick on the boat. I don’t get sea sick and I actually enjoyed the teetering boat, but be prepared if not. Don’t eat too soon before boarding and don’t sit outside or on the top level. Most people that were sick were outside on the top.. What the?..
The Tour
The tour starts out with a bus tour around the island. The guide will take you to some important landmarks on the island and explain the long history of Robben. Like that Robben means seal cause there used to be seals on SEAL island!! Ahem.. I paid attention..no big deal. After the bus portion, you will be dropped off at the front gates of the prison.
When you start the prison tour, you will find that this portion of the tour is guided by non other than ex prisoners of the maximum security facility. I love that they do this. It’s amazing. You can hang onto their every word knowing that they’re explaining their past. My tour guide was Roso. He was a prisoner for 5 years in the late 80′s. I asked him why he does the tours.. He finds it therapeutic. He loves doing it and sharing a piece of history that he was a part of. He met Mandela at Robben Island.
MUSIC BY:
Band: Lord Huron
Album: Lonesome Dreams
Song: Ends of the Earth
www.lordhuron.com
