CAPE TOWN CITY
Robben Island
Robben Island
Robben Island (Afrikaans: Robbeneiland) is an island in Table Bay, 6.9 kilometres (4.3 mi) west of the coast of Bloubergstrand, north of Cape Town, South Africa. It takes its name from the Dutch word for seals (robben), hence the Dutch/Afrikaans name Robbeneiland, which translates to Seal(s) Island.
Robben Island is roughly oval in shape, 3.3 km (2.1 mi) long north–south, and 1.9 km (1.2 mi) wide, with an area of 5.08 km2 (1.96 sq mi). It is flat and only a few metres above sea level, as a result of an ancient erosion event. It was fortified and used as a prison from the late-seventeenth century until 1996, after the end of apartheid.
Political activist and lawyer Nelson Mand...
Robben Island is roughly oval in shape, 3.3 km (2.1 mi) long north–south, and 1.9 km (1.2 mi) wide, with an area of 5.08 km2 (1.96 sq mi). It is flat and only a few metres above sea level, as a result of an ancient erosion event. It was fortified and used as a prison from the late-seventeenth century until 1996, after the end of apartheid.
Political activist and lawyer Nelson Mand...
Robben Island (Afrikaans: Robbeneiland) is an island in Table Bay, 6.9 kilometres (4.3 mi) west of the coast of Bloubergstrand, north of Cape Town, South Africa. It takes its name from the Dutch word for seals (robben), hence the Dutch/Afrikaans name Robbeneiland, which translates to Seal(s) Island.
Robben Island is roughly oval in shape, 3.3 km (2.1 mi) long north–south, and 1.9 km (1.2 mi) wide, with an area of 5.08 km2 (1.96 sq mi). It is flat and only a few metres above sea level, as a result of an ancient erosion event. It was fortified and used as a prison from the late-seventeenth century until 1996, after the end of apartheid.
Political activist and lawyer Nelson Mandela was famously imprisoned on the island for 18 of the 27 years he served imprisoned before the fall of apartheid and introduction of full, multi-racial democracy. He was later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and was elected in 1994 as President of South Africa, becoming the country's first Black president and serving one term from 1994-99. In addition, the majority of prisoners were detained here for political reasons. Two other former inmates of Robben Island in addition to Mandela have been elected to the presidency since the late-1990s: Kgalema Motlanthe (2008-09) and Jacob Zuma (2009)
Robben Island is a South African National Heritage Site as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Robben Island is roughly oval in shape, 3.3 km (2.1 mi) long north–south, and 1.9 km (1.2 mi) wide, with an area of 5.08 km2 (1.96 sq mi). It is flat and only a few metres above sea level, as a result of an ancient erosion event. It was fortified and used as a prison from the late-seventeenth century until 1996, after the end of apartheid.
Political activist and lawyer Nelson Mandela was famously imprisoned on the island for 18 of the 27 years he served imprisoned before the fall of apartheid and introduction of full, multi-racial democracy. He was later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and was elected in 1994 as President of South Africa, becoming the country's first Black president and serving one term from 1994-99. In addition, the majority of prisoners were detained here for political reasons. Two other former inmates of Robben Island in addition to Mandela have been elected to the presidency since the late-1990s: Kgalema Motlanthe (2008-09) and Jacob Zuma (2009)
Robben Island is a South African National Heritage Site as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Experiences to Explore in Cape Town City
Activities In Cape Town City
Luxury Safaris & Tours
Trips To Inspire In South Africa
You’re a step closer to your dream safari. Explore these tour ideas from our Africa travel experts and start planning your trip of a lifetime.
ETHIOPIA
Private Tour
Churches And Mountains: A Journey Through East Africa
4 Days
Start Date: 20-Oct-2025
Loading...
Lalibela Churches Northern Cluster > Lalibela > Addis Ababa
Pickup At: Addis Ababa
Tour of Northern cluster of Lalibela churches
Tour of the southern cluster of Churches
Transfer from Bole International Airport
Dropoff At: Arusha City
TANZANIA
Private Tour
Zanzibar To Seronera: African Safari Adventure
4 Days
Start Date: 20-Oct-2025
Loading...
Seronera - Serengeti Central > Ndutu - Southern Serengeti > Ndutu Ngorongoro > Ngorongoro Crater
Pickup At: Zanzibar
Serengeti Central Game Drive
Serengeti Ndutu Game Drive
Ngorongoro Ndutu Wildebeest Migration Game Drive - Calving Season
Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater
Dropoff At: Zanzibar
TANZANIA
Private Tour
African Safari Adventure: Tarangire To Ngorongoro In 6 Days
6 Days
Start Date: 20-Oct-2025
Loading...
Tarangire National Park > Ndutu - Southern Serengeti > Ndutu Ngorongoro > Ngorongoro Crater > Lake Manyara National Park
Pickup At: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Tarangire Game Drive
Serengeti Ndutu Game Drive
Ngorongoro Ndutu Wildebeest Migration Game Drive - Calving Season
Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater
Lake Manyara Game Drive
Dropoff At: Arusha City
TANZANIA
Private Tour
Arusha To Zanzibar: African Safari Adventure
6 Days
Start Date: 20-Oct-2025
Loading...
Lake Manyara National Park > Ndutu Ngorongoro
Pickup At: Arusha City
Lake Manyara Game Drive
Ngorongoro Ndutu Wildebeest Migration Game Drive - Calving Season
Dropoff At: Zanzibar
TANZANIA
Private Tour
African Safari Adventure: Tarangire To Ngorongoro Crater
8 Days
Start Date: 20-Oct-2025
Loading...
Tarangire National Park > Seronera - Serengeti Central > Ndutu - Southern Serengeti > Ndutu Ngorongoro > Ngorongoro Crater > Lake Eyasi > Lake Manyara National Park
Pickup At: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Tarangire Game Drive
Serengeti Central Game Drive
Serengeti Ndutu Game Drive
Ngorongoro Ndutu Wildebeest Migration Game Drive - Calving Season
Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater
Lake Eyasi - Hadzabe Tour And Cultural Activities
Mto Wa Mbu Cultural Day Tour
Dropoff At: Arusha City
Luxury Stay
Our favourite places to stay in Cape Town City
Accommodation for every kind of traveler.
How It Works
1
Describe your dream trip
2A travel consultant will help curate your experience
3Confirm & start packing
Let us plan your dream
African Safari
Enquire now and a Travel expert will get back to you
within 24 hours.