Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Travelationship
Sitting nearly seven kilometers off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, is a small island famous for all the wrong reasons. Robben Island, named by the Dutch, which translates to Seal Island, was home to Nelson Mandela for 18 years. Although Mandela won a Nobel and served as his country’s president, he was first a political prisoner for 27 years.
Robben Island was first used as a prison in the 17th century and finally completed its role as such in 1996. Over the years, it also housed a leper colony, a whaling station, and even an artillery battery during WWII. Today it has three titles; museum, South African National Heritage Site, and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Touring Robben Island
A 30-minute boat ride to and from the island is included in the price of your admission to the museum. Upon arrival on the island, you’ll walk across the docks to a waiting bus ready to take you on a tour of the grounds. The driving tour highlights the leprosy graveyard, a limestone and bluestone quarry, Robert Sobukwe’s house, and the military bunkers. You will also see the entrance to a cave that carries the name Robben Island University. Nelson Mandela and others spent time there lecturing and debating; it has even been dubbed the origin of the movement that finally overthrew the Apartheid government.
After the bus tour concludes, the intimate portion of the time begins. A former political prisoner will lead you on an informative expedition around the incarceration facilities. This is one of those times where the more involved with the tour guide you are, the more you’ll get out of the tour. Our guide didn’t shy away from any of the questions are group produced. The tour’s culmination leads you to Nelson Mandela’s cell while on the island. A semi-eerie feeling floats around the facility as it has only been out of use for several years, and the staff has done a good job maintaining everything.
Logistics
The Robben Island website contains information about the island, tour times, and prices. You should arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure. Weather can be a factor in canceled tours, as you have to travel via boat, and storms are not uncommon.
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Robben Island is such an important place and earned its place in history, for being the place where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 27 years. I was fascinated by the cave where Nelson Mandela and others debated. Was this during his incarceration?
During the tour, from a distance, you can see the cave area. It’s an important moment of the tour.
Robben Island has always been on my travel wishlist. You made a really great point about engaging with tour guides. You mentioned that he did not shy away. What kind of questions were asked?
The most candid questions- Were you beaten while in prison? Were you treated differently than other prisoners? Do you feel regret or pride over your actions to land you in prison? How do you see the cause today? I will not tell you the answers because each guide has a different story. I will say it is a Must Do and especially in today’s world so relevant.