There is so much to see and do in Cape Town, but Robben Island is a must; home of the infamous prison where Nelson Mandela was detained for eighteen long years. The thirty minute boat ride made us think of how the prisoners would have felt being taken to a secure prison on an island, surrounded by freezing shark infested waters! Once at Robben Island they could see freedom but there was no way to escape.
VISITING ROBBEN ISLAND
GETTING TO ROBBEN ISLAND
Ferries depart for Robben Island from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront at 9am, 11am and 1pm daily. The running of these ferries does depend on the weather. The trip will take about three and a half hours, including the return trip and a tour of the island. Gates close 10 minutes prior to boarding, so it is best to arrive early.
TOURING ROBBEN ISLAND
Once you disembark at Murray’s Bay Harbour, on Robben Island, you will board buses, which will transport you to the historical sites on the islands. You can expect to see the leper graveyard, the lime quarry where political prisoners were forced to work, army and navy bunkers, and the Maximum Security Prison. The bus tour takes approximately 45 minutes.
VISITING THE MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON
Once at the Maximum Security Prison you leave the buses behind to tour the prison buildings.
The tour usually ends with a visit to Nelson Mandela’s cell. This tiny cell, in the maximum security wing was where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his 27 years in prison. Easily the most famous of the island’s political prisoners, Mandela was by no means the island’s only notable inmate. South African presidents Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma also spent time here.
The cells in the maximum-security wing had no beds, just mats and blankets on the floor. The inmates were only allowed to visit the toilets at certain times of the day. The prisoners were only allowed one visitor per year for thirty minutes! This is the very place that Nelson Mandela spent eighteen years.
Nelson Mandela spent a total of twenty seven years in prison, eighteen of these on Robben Island. He was finally released in 1990. It was amazing what the prisoners managed to accomplish from behind bars and eventually bring the end to apartheid. Nelson Mandela went on to become president of South Africa from 1994 -1999.
“To be free is not only to get rid of its chains; It is to live in a way that respects and strengthens the freedom of others. “
Nelson Mandela, a long way to freedom
THE GUIDES ON ROBBEN ISLAND
The guides are former inmates who make the experience that much more gripping. They told personal stories of their time imprisoned on the island.
AND THEN THERE ARE THE VIEWS
While the island has a rich political history, it is also pretty fascinating from a geographical perspective. The island, which was once part of the mainland, is actually the peak of a mountain. The rest of the mountain just happens to be under the water. The history of the island may not be pretty, but the scenery certainly is.
Stunning views from Robben Island across to Table Mountain and Cape Town.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO VISIT ROBBEN ISLAND?
- Adults – R360
- Children (up to age 18) – R200
Click the link here to book tickets.
Prices correct in 2018
VISITING ROBBEN ISLAND WITH KIDS
A trip to Robben Island is a sombre and thought provoking experience. Our boys were 8, 10 and 12 when we visited Robben Island and they were fine with the visit. There isn’t anything to entertain children on the island. For younger children it would rather depend on whether they can stay quiet and listen to the guide for the duration fo the tour, as most of the detail would go over their heads.
Have you visited Robben Island with kids? Let us know in the comments below.
FOR MORE ON SOUTH AFRICA READ:
Top Ten Things To Do in Cape Town with Kids
Road Trip Along the Garden Route with Kids
The Best of St Lucia with Kids (St Lucia in South Africa!)
Family Safari in Kruger National Park
Any post on this site may contain affiliate links which earn us a small commission at no additional cost to you.
