Explore Cape Town: Book a Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Townships Tour in Cape Town

Cape Town is an incredibly diverse city, offering a unique mix of cultural, historical and modern attractions and activities that are unmatched anywhere else in the world. One of the highlights of a visit to the Cape is a “Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Townships’ tour, a journey that takes visitors from the mainland of Cape Town out to Robben Island, the former prison island that housed Nelson Mandela during the apartheid era of South African history. Here, visitors get to explore the island’s educational museum as well as hear stories from a local guide who knows the island’s long and complex history and about Mandela’s experience there.The second part of the tour takes in the local townships, where visitors will be able to see and experience a different side of South Africa. This is the perfect activity for anyone who wants to get a real insight into life in South Africa post-apartheid, and gives an invaluable opportunity to learn more about South African culture and history.If you’re an adventurous traveler wanting to experience something unique, a Robben Island ferry ticket and township tour is a must have experience. But as this tour is unique and more complex than most tours in Cape Town, it can be a little overwhelming for those who are unfamiliar with how it all works. To help, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to book your very own Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Township Tour experience in Cape Town.

How to book your Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Townships Tour

The easiest way to book your ferry ticket and township tour experience in Cape Town is by booking through an agency or tour company that specialises in arranging these types of trips. There are several tour companies operating throughout the city, all of which have different packages and offers available, so it pays to shop around to find the one that suits your needs best. The most highly-recommended tour operator for booking a Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Townships Tour is Get Your Guide. They have a spacious range of packages to suit all types of travelers, whether you’re traveling solo or with friends or family, or visiting for business or pleasure. Plus their easy-to-use website makes it simple to book your adventure quickly and conveniently. The tickets range from a 3-day pass to a 7-day pass which works out great if you’re wanting to make the most of your trip by exploring other nearby attractions too. Prices range from R275 for 3-day pass, up to R800 for a 7-day pass – both of which include round trip ferry tickets and township transport along with an English speaking local guide. If you’re planning a longer trip, simply visit the Get Your Guide website and search for “Robben Island Ferry Tickets and Township Tour’. From there, you can select your package preference and travel dates to check availability. The itinerary will include a full-day guided tour of Robben Island, onboard ferry transport to the jail on the island and time to explore the jailhouse museum before travelling back across on the ferry with your local guide. After the Robben Island part of your day trip is complete, your tour guide will then take you on a 2-hour drive through Langa, one of Cape Town’s most vibrant townships, home to a rich cross-section of history, culture, music and markets. You’ll also take in Wozani township which gives a 360 degree view into the lives of local black communities living in a period of extreme poverty – giving visitors an extra layer of understanding into life in South Africa post-apartheid.

What to Expect From Your Tour

The entire day trip consists of around 10 hours worth of activities including travel time both ways. Before you embark on your journey, your tour guide will make sure everyone is comfortable and explain what barriers (linguistic, cultural) can expect when they get to the island. Your first stop will be at Nixon Memorial Beach where you will take an 800m ferry ride to Robben Island. Once there, you will disembark and be taken around the island on an audio guided tour where you can learn more about its incredibly significant prison history as well as its natural beauty. After that comes an inspiring talk with a former Robben Island prisoner who will recount tales about apartheid and his involvement in the struggle for democracy in South Africa. The tour will then head back to the mainland for lunch at either Mandela Rhodes or The Grand Café & Beach in V&A Waterfront or a local restaurant depending on availability – giving you chance to take in their beautiful views over Table Mountain too. The second part of your adventure will take you through Langa and Wozani Township where you get to experience firsthand the vibrant lifestyle that exists today in spite of the harsh past realities still experienced by many South Africa citizens. You will use public transport to visit shebeen joints, see some cultural hubs and get involved in some interactive activities woven into the journey – with plenty of chances for you to ask questions and engage with locals while you’re there too. At the end of your township adventure, your driver/guide will drop you off either at Baden Powell Drive or Mandela Rhodes hotel before taking you back home courtesy of Get Your Guide.

Now is the Best Time to Explore!

For anybody wanting to get an authentic Cape Town experience with both historical and cultural learning opportunities, booking a Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Township Tour with Get Your Guide is an essential activity when visiting this iconic city. The tours offer great value for money too – with return ferry tickets included as well as 1 full day dedicated to two distinct experiences that wouldn’t otherwise be accessible without the help of an experienced local where hidden gems can be discovered throughout both parts of the tour – showing visitors what life was like during apartheid times as well as what it looks like today. The summer months (November-February) are generally considered the best time to take this kind of tour with hot sunny weather conditions, making it perfect for sightseeing both on land and at sea. Plus if you’re lucky, there is also plenty wildlife (Whales, Dolphins) show up along the route to add an extra dimension to this amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience! If you’re ready for this spectacular chance to discover South African culture and history first hand, then book your ferry ticket and township tour today with Get Your Guide – giving you the chance to experience two sides of this incredible city at once!