At the co-ordinates 33.8067° South, 18.3662° East, just off the coast of Cape Town, you will find one of the world’s most recognizable monuments, “A tribute to the triumph of the human spirit over adversity” – Robben Island.
The island is famous for being a place of banishment, serving as a prison for the body to silence many who would tolerate the injustices perpetrated by the then Apartheid government of South Africa. Its most well-known captive was the late Former President of South Africa, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and long-time political activist; Mr Nelson Rolihlahla “Madiba” Mandela. For 500 years, Robben Island has been a part of the history of the Cape and in turn, part of South Africa’s founding history.
Today, after being a place of isolation for freedom fighters of old and unruly passengers upon passing ships since the 17th Century AD, the Island is now a Museum and has been since 1996 as well as both a South African National Heritage Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A PRIVATE TOUR
The best way to experience Robben Island
When you step off the Ferry at the ROBBEN ISLAND jetty,you are greeted by your own private on-island guide who will transport you in a private air-airconditioned vehicle. The tour starts with an overview tour of the island itself, its founding and many purposes throughout the time that it has been recorded in history. A highlight that comes with this type of tour is that you are able to stop and disembark the vehicle to enter sites, such as Mr Robert Sobukwe’s House – it is here that arguably South Africa’s only “true” political prisoner was kept; the Lime Stone Quarry – where prisoners worked; first the stone then to plan South Africa’s democratic future; and The Village – a place that was home to warders and their families. This all would not be possible of the scheduled tour.
Once you have been taken around the perimeter of Robben Island, you will be handed over to your own private prison guide for a tour of the maximum political prison for which the Atlantic Ocean land mass is most famous for. Every private prison tour is conducted by a former political prisoner of the island, who served time there prior to the release of all prisoners from the island in 1991. You will be taken into the various cells, learn of how information was cunningly disseminated; hear a first-hand account of the conditions prisoners lived in and what is more, step into the cell of the late Mr Nelson Mandela.
LUNCH – This all important component of the day is just as much a highlight as any of the activities. You are offered the choice of dinning at any one of Cape Town’s excellent eateries. LUXURY AFRICA SAFARIS’ ethos is to deliver a client focused tour that caters for your preferences and tastes.A list of just some of the fantastic outlets boasting flavourful and enticing menus for an afternoon delight:
- Hemelhuijs
- Chef’s Warehouse
- The Stack
- Villa 47
- Janse & Co
- Gorgeous George
- Bocca
CAPE TOWN CITY TOUR
Be social, explore local and experience a global city.
An eclectic mix of the best of what South Africa has to offer in regard to cultural diversity and the celebration of nationhood. The vibrant city of Cape Town has lent itself to being the panels of the stage upon which South Africa, and in turn the people of the city, set trends and experience life in a beautiful way.
The context of the country’s current position is put into perspective with a visit to one of its most iconic sites of national current history – Robben Island. Cape Town is known as the “Mother City” and it was here first that the Dutch landed, naming the island “Robbenieland – Seal Island” and giving it together with the city of “Kaapstad – Cape Town” its first place in the world recorded history. Half a millennia later and two decades since the advent of democracy in South Africa, Cape Town is open to all as never before.
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BE SOCIAL…
The history of Cape Town’s founding and its current pop-culture can be experienced in the walking/driving tour from Herengracht Str to Adderley St, from the Company Garden’s to the Spin St Slave Tree and the Trafalgar Flower market. A combination of sights and sounds that will place you in the heart of a bustling CBD and help you see how far the city has come. Areas of historical significance are still relevant centres for interaction, these include the myriad of diverse museums that are within this precinct.
Within Cape Town’s City limits is the site of District Six. An artefact of the Apartheid Government’s policy of separating races, District Six exists today as a stark reminder of the trauma that occurred across the nation when whole communities and people groups were displaced in the name of ‘national good’. Visit the museum and the actual site en route to one of Cape Town’s most ‘creative’ neighbourhoods – Woodstock. The suburb of Woodstock is home to some of the best examples of urban renewal and is home to designers, boutique store attractions and some the most highly regarded street art (graffiti) in the country. Filled with the tastes and sounds of a new Cape Town, it is a great way to experience the creative pulse of the city and interact with local artisans of food; coffee; visual art and crafts.
At LUXURY AFRICA SAFARIS we invest time into establishing and growing local relationships to offer clients a wide variety of attractions that brings Cape Town to life in a relevant way allowing you to experience a city that has a place for all who live it, including you – a Global City.
