What a moving experience, - Really enjoyed the tour from start to finish. The guides were excellent and full of information. Very moving experience.

Lovely day at Robben Island with my family - Our driver guide Tom was on time for our pickup and made sure that we got the front seat which were comfortable our guide from the island was a former inmate who shared his stories he was knowledgeable. Everything went smoothly

Robben Island /Tour Guide - Our tour guide HITIMANA YVES MURASHI, was excellent and very informative, my family learnt a lot he was a great tour guide. My family and I could not ask for anything more. I am sure to tell others about my trip to Cape Town.

Walking Through History: My Unforgettable Visit to Robben Island - Visiting Robben Island, South Africa, was not just a trip; it was an emotional journey through history. This island, where Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters were imprisoned for years during apartheid, holds immense significance. The experience left me with a profound sense of respect for those who endured unimaginable hardships for the cause of freedom and justice. Getting to Robben Island The day began with a drive to the port in Cape Town, courtesy of a kind and helpful young man from Brooklyn, a vibrant suburb of Cape Town. His warmth and hospitality set the tone for the day, offering insights into the city and its rich history. Once at the port, we boarded a ferry to Robben Island. The ride itself was scenic, with views of Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain and the surrounding coastline. Exploring Robben Island Upon arrival, we boarded a bus for a guided tour of the island. Our guide, a passionate and knowledgeable woman, shared the island’s layered history—from its early days as a leper colony to its dark era as a maximum-security prison. She also touched on the island’s role in South Africa’s fight for democracy. Her narration brought the island’s stories to life, making every stop feel like a step back in time. Significant Stops on the Island 1. The Limestone Quarry This was where prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, performed hard labor under brutal conditions. The quarry stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of those who fought for justice. 2. The Prison Complex The highlight of the tour was the visit to the secure prisoner compound. Here, a former prisoner, who had spent seven years on the island, served as our guide. His firsthand account of life in the prison was both harrowing and inspiring. He spoke of the harsh conditions, the camaraderie among prisoners, and their unwavering spirit to overcome adversity. Standing in Nelson Mandela’s tiny cell was a poignant moment, offering a glimpse into the physical and psychological toll of imprisonment. Wrapping Up the Visit Before returning to the ferry, we explored a small shop where I purchased books and mementos to commemorate the trip. These keepsakes serve as constant reminders of the courage and sacrifice of those who shaped South Africa’s history. The Ferry Ride Back The return ferry ride allowed for reflection. Watching the island fade into the distance, I thought about the incredible stories of perseverance and hope that unfolded there. The beauty of the ocean contrasted sharply with the grim history of the island, leaving me with a mix of emotions—sadness for the suffering endured and admiration for the triumph of the human spirit. Final Thoughts Visiting Robben Island was a deeply moving and educational experience. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Cape Town, offering not only a deeper understanding of South Africa’s past but also a reminder of the enduring fight for freedom and equality. The tour was well-organized, and the guides—especially the former prisoner—added an invaluable personal touch to the experience. This journey left me with a greater appreciation for South Africa’s rich and complex history. It’s a trip I’ll never forget, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to connect with the powerful legacy of Nelson Mandela and the freedom fighters who paved the way for a democratic South Africa. siting Robben Island, South Africa, was not just a trip; it was an emotional journey through history. This island, where Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters were imprisoned for years during apartheid, holds immense significance. The experience left me with a profound sense of respect for those who endured unimaginable hardships for the cause of freedom and justice. Getting to Robben Island The day began with a drive to the port in Cape Town, courtesy of a kind and helpful young man from Brooklyn, a vibrant suburb of Cape Town. His warmth and hospitality set the tone for the day, offering insights into the city and its rich history. Once at the port, we boarded a ferry to Robben Island. The ride itself was scenic, with views of Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain and the surrounding coastline. Exploring Robben Island Upon arrival, we boarded a bus for a guided tour of the island. Our guide, a passionate and knowledgeable woman, shared the island’s layered history—from its early days as a leper colony to its dark era as a maximum-security prison. She also touched on the island’s role in South Africa’s fight for democracy. Her narration brought the island’s stories to life, making every stop feel like a step back in time. Significant Stops on the Island 1. The Limestone Quarry This was where prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, performed hard labor under brutal conditions. The quarry stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of those who fought for justice. 2. The Prison Complex The highlight of the tour was the visit to the secure prisoner compound. Here, a former prisoner, who had spent seven years on the island, served as our guide. His firsthand account of life in the prison was both harrowing and inspiring. He spoke of the harsh conditions, the camaraderie among prisoners, and their unwavering spirit to overcome adversity. Standing in Nelson Mandela’s tiny cell was a poignant moment, offering a glimpse into the physical and psychological toll of imprisonment. Wrapping Up the Visit Before returning to the ferry, we explored a small shop where I purchased books and mementos to commemorate the trip. These keepsakes serve as constant reminders of the courage and sacrifice of those who shaped South Africa’s history. The Ferry Ride Back The return ferry ride allowed for reflection. Watching the island fade into the distance, I thought about the incredible stories of perseverance and hope that unfolded there. The beauty of the ocean contrasted sharply with the grim history of the island, leaving me with a mix of emotions—sadness for the suffering endured and admiration for the triumph of the human spirit. Final Thoughts Visiting Robben Island was a deeply moving and educational experience. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Cape Town, offering not only a deeper understanding of South Africa’s past but also a reminder of the enduring fight for freedom and equality. The tour was well-organized, and the guides—especially the former prisoner—added an invaluable personal touch to the experience. This journey left me with a greater appreciation for South Africa’s rich and complex history. It’s a trip I’ll never forget, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to connect with the powerful legacy of Nelson Mandela and the freedom fighters who paved the way for a democratic South Africa.

Love and Liberty,Our Robben Islan Experience - This was an exceptional tour and emotional see how the political prisoners were treated one of them shared his testimony about the life he went through it broke my heart that we could treat people this way

Robbens Isle half day tour! - Great communication, organized, comfortable boat! Land tour, organized, comfortable, Informative, powerful! Felt a little bit rushed at times Wanted, rest stop and gift shop visit but too rushed.

Book direct. Avoid Viator - At reception in Robben Island I realised I had been hugely overcharged by Viator. The ferry was late and took one hour. The first part on the bus was not good. The PA system was poor, the content poor. Meeting the man in the prison who knew Mandela was memorable. He was a wonderful man.

Finding freedom - Very educational experience from the former prisoners who went through hell during the struggle of Apartheid. Billy the former political prisoner talked about his time. I cried just to see how a human suffered physically and emotional. Our tour was a little bit rushed but didn’t stop me to see the whole view of the Table Mountain and Lion’s Head together

Disappointing tour for the money - For the price, I expected a more. Ferry ride was smooth. Got off at the island and told to get on the tour bus, which simply took us through the gate. We were a large group, around 40 people, and it was difficult to hear the guide speaking while we were outside. In addition, he would speak while walking, and those at the back couldn't hear him. He also started speaking before everyone was caught up. We only went into one communal cell in B block, where he gave us a brief history and revealed he had been a political prisoner. After that, we walked to a different section to see cells, one of which Mandela had been in. Unfortunately, 3 large groups arrived at once, all crammed into the hallway of cells, and I did not get to see Mandela's cell, which was my main purpose of attending the tour. After that, we were put on another bus and driven to see 4 different areas. We were not allowed off the bus due to previous bad behaviour of other tourists. The only stop where we got off the bus was to see penguins. Overall, very disappointed

My Robben Island journey - The tour were cancelled on me due to weather conditions I’m not holding responsible the tour operator only issue I had was that they didn’t tell me before so I can make other plans total disappointed that I couldn’t make the trip maybe next time.