Robben Island

AA trip to Robben Island is a must do for anyone visiting Cape Town. When you step foot on the Island, you’re able to see the cell in which Mandela, the world's most famous prisoner, was held for 18 years of his 27-year incarceration. It’s a place many come to be humbled and to pay homage to the father of South African democracy, including the likes of former US presidents, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Today, you can catch a ferry ride to what is now called “The Robben Island Museum”. The standard tour starts at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront and takes around three-and-a-half-hours in total (the boat ride is half-an-hour one way). To add to the immersive experience, tours are often led by former political prisoners who draw a vivid picture of life in prison. It’s one of the world’s greatest cultural heritage destinations both for its tragedy and its triumph. It is a testimony to the true spirit of the South African people and history, and will never fail to humble you and give you perspective.

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