Robben Island Museum, Western Cape, South Africa

4doylema73 5:00 PM Nov 14, 2022

Eye opening!
Mandela gateway is a relatively new building on the sea front beside the V&A Waterfront, a great spot. You’ll go through security before entering which I can imagine being very busy at the height of the tourist season so get there early, and you’ll hopefully have time to read the timeline adorning the walls before boarding. The boat crossed in 35mins and was a little bumpy on the way back which could upset those with delicate tummies. On arrival to Robben Island you’ll board a coach for a 30min approx guided tour of places of interest outside of the prison walls. Both fascinating and eye opening. Our guide was excellent and spoke very good English. After the bus tour we entered the prison which, to be honest, was the true reason for doing the tour. Great that this part of the tour was led by an ex-political prisoner who spent time incarcerated with Nelson Mandela. You’ll see the actual cell Mandela was held captive, and other equally important prison areas that hold so many secrets and can tell so many stories. It would have been better if the guide had a microphone so those at the back of the group (+30 in ours) could hear everything which wasn’t always possible for us. Glad I did the tour, but won’t be an attraction I’d see the need to return to.

3macmill 5:00 PM Sep 1, 2022

Former innate insight fascinating but tour padded out with boring coach trip and coffee stop
The trouble with this tour is there isn't very much to see so the tour is strung out by a bus trip that takes an hour with a guide looking for tips who bored us to death relating the same information several times with far too much detail, just pointing out buildings on the island with no opportunity to get out and explore. Then there is coffee stop and more time wasting before you get to the really interesting bit where you are shown round the prison by a former inmate. This was rushed because of the previous time wasting and yet it was such a shame because it was clear there was lots of questions and hearing the stories of a former inmate was the fascinating. I know my review won't make any difference but the tour could be shortened to one to one and half hours at most. This is a really important monument and site that did not need a visit padding out. I could see others particularly children were very bored, don't bring them. If you only have a limited time in Cape Town give it a miss.