Robben Island off the tip of the South African shores of Cape Town is famous for being the place where Nelson Mandela spent 27 years as a political prisoner under the apartheid regime. 

During the apartheid era Robben Island housed a maximum security prison for political prisoners. Most notably Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first democratically elected president. The Robben Island Museum describes Robben Island as a symbol of “the triumph of the human spirit over enormous hardship and adversity…not only for South Africa and the African continent, but also for the entire world”.

Robben Island has been a museum since 1997 and in 1999 it was declared a World Heritage Site. It takes half an hour to get to Robben Island from Cape Town’s V &A Waterfront by ferry. You can take a guided tour of the island, including a tour of the maximum security prison where Mandela and other freedom fighters were imprisoned. The guided tours on Robben Island are conducted by ex-political prisoners which gives visitors even more insight into this focal point in South Africa’s heritage.

You can take a ferry to Robben Island on a day trip  to explore our unique South African history. The island tour also offers  great opportunities for taking photos of the city and table mountain. Be sure to book ahead of time in summer, as it gets very busy.

Or stay on the African continent and discover the best of Cape Town, soaking up its beauty.

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For a rich and vivid look into South African history visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.
Check out what Wikipedia has to say about the historical Robben Island off Cape Town.

Or if you are looking for travel destinations to visit on day trips in South Africa.
 

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