Cape Town, South Africa
Robben Island
Robben Island, located in the middle of Table Bay, was historically associated as a site of
despair. Used as a leper colony, mental hospital and defence training base, this UNESCO
World Heritage Site is more famed as the prison to which anti-apartheid activists were
banished. Known as a ‘University of the Struggle’, some of Robben Island’s famous
graduates including President Nelson Mandela, President Thabo Mbeki and President Jacob
Zuma, went on to lead South Africa into a new democracy
The sombre Robben Island prison buildings are classified as the Robben Island Museum. The
scheduled tour of the site commences at the Nelson Mandela Gateway in Cape Town's V&A
Waterfront. The ferry ride takes a half hour each way, allowing visitors 2.5 hours to absorb
the emotive atmosphere of the island. Tours of the former maximum-security jail are
generally led by former political prisoners who draw a vivid picture of life in incarceration.
The history of Robben Island is also sketched in a 45-minute bus tour.
Robben Island is memorable for both its tragedy and exultation, and its testimony to faith in
the most humiliating of conditions. It is an excursion that stirs the soul.
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is South Africa’s signature landmark, classified as one of the New 7 Natural
Wonders of the World. It is a hiker’s paradise with numerous trails, breath-taking views and
an abundance of rare indigenous flora and fauna. The summit trails are clearly marked and
safe under foot. Table Mountain looks down over the City with the highest peak measuring
1085m above sea level.
The Table Mountain National Park is a great destination for nature-lovers and is globally
recognised for its biodiversity and unique Cape Floral Kingdom. A variety of plant and animal
life on the mountain include over 5000 x species of ‘fynbos’ and shy ‘dassies’ or rock hyrax.
Since its opening in 1929, over 20 x million people have taken the trip to the summit. The 2 x
cable cars are fitted with a revolving floor, allowing guests to enjoy a spectacular 360 degree
view of Cape Town including the Atlantic Seaboard, Table Bay Harbour, the West Coast, the
Cape Winelands and Cape Town’s adjacent suburbs.
www.atctravel.co.za
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