Why Visit the Township?

“I don’t want to be a voyeur” seems to be the common concern.
Our Township Tour is not a game reserve experience or about ticking township names off a list. Our tour is about the people who live in these townships.

There are Many Reasons to Visit our Communities, We Focus on Two

• The first reason is the economic benefit for township residents. Simply put, Township Tourism creates jobs, driving down unemployment while putting bread on the table for many South Africans. We welcome you as a guest into our communities, the townships.
• The second reason concerns you the traveller. We facilitate a profound personal, interactive and cross cultural experience, promoting an understanding that whilst we are different, we are the same. Perhaps the most compelling reason to visit the townships is the people who live there, their humanity, hospitality, and the spirit Ubuntu.

District Six, Langa, Bonteheuwel and Gugulethu

Our tour also includes a visit to the District Six area. A place from where a community of over 60,000 people were forcibly removed during the apartheid era.

Hereafter we proceed to the predominantly “Black” Township of Langa and immerse ourselves in an in-depth experience which includes a walking tour, home visits and where appropriate, a stop at a crèche or orphanage.

We then transit to Bonteheuwel where we compare a “Coloured” township with to Langa, and Finally, before returning to Cape Town, we visit Guguletu where we share the story of Amy Biehl and the Guguletu Seven.

This tour focusses on the current social and economic challenges faced by those living in these communities and it sheds light on the existing development programs. We also talk about the struggle of the past and its connection to Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment on Robben Island and how it affects the current situation.

Robben Island

The Robben Island visit (which follows) includes:

• A return ferry ride,
• A guided tour of Robben Island,
• And a tour of the prison and Nelson Mandela’s cell.

The tour ends after the return ferry trip to the Nelson Mandela Gateway near the Clocktower at V&A Waterfront. Transfers from the berthing point to hotel are not included but there are meter taxis and busses close by.

The Robben Island tour is subject to weather conditions and availability. This is especially so in high season (December – February) and thus the ferry may not necessarily run at the end of the Township tour.
(Tour ends at V&A Waterfront)

Departures from 8h30

• 8h30-12h30 – Township Tour
• 12h30-12h50 – Lunch Break at V&A Waterfront (not included)
• 12h50 – Proceed to Nelson Mandela Gateway
• 13h00-17h00 – Robben Island

Please Note; It is essential to provide the names and passport numbers of all participants. This is a new compliance requirement by Robben Island Museum.