Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 25 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour worth booking?
Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour is a 8-hour experience in Cape Town, South Africa, from R 1,780 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 25 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (25)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- R 1,780 per person
Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in South Africa. It is a place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. The island offers visitors guided tours through the prison, black township, and colonial buildings. Secure your shared boat trip and museum tour tickets and skip the ticketing line by booking this tour and receiving return transfers between your hotel and the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island. Embark on a unique opportunity to take the Long March to Freedom in the historical footsteps of former President of South Africa – Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners as well as leaders who fought for today’s South Africa.
What you get
About this experience
Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in South Africa. It is a place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. The island offers visitors guided tours through the prison, black township, and colonial buildings. Secure your shared boat trip and museum tour tickets and skip the ticketing line by booking this tour and receiving return transfers between your hotel and the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island. Embark on a unique opportunity to take the Long March to Freedom in the historical footsteps of former President of South Africa – Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners as well as leaders who fought for today’s South Africa.
What's included
Included
- Entry/Admission - Robben Island Museum
- Bottled water
- Pre Booked Robben Island Ticket return
- Boat ticket
Not included
- Standard Tasting, Select 5 Wines of your choice R130.
- Kirstenbosch Gardens Entrance Fees R 200.00/adult(international)
- Food , Drink and Gratuities(optional)
What you'll see and do
Robben Island Museum
Experience a full day in the Mother City historic tour with a private guide and experience Robben Island, Long March to Freedom, Canal Walk, & V&A Waterfront (where you will enjoy your lunch). This private day tour is relaxed and enjoyable for guests who prefer complete flexibility at the attractions in Cape Town, South Africa.
240 minutes here · Admission included
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
The Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series has become a real summer staple in Cape Town. There’s nothing quite like celebrating the vibrant summer season than to the cool beats and epic sounds of some of the best local and international music acts.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Groot Constantia
Groot Constantia’s is testimony of how one man’s love for wine established South Africa’s first wine farm in 1685. Our wines are from rich African soil, crafted to perfection. Groot Constantia memories are part of literature and heritage and embodies the timeless endeavour to perfection. Our heritage stands for growth, life and beauty. It is alive and vibrant, like the vineyards we hold dear. It is in our hearts.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Shine The Way Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 25 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
25 verified traveler reviews for Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Not good organized and unprofessional
The guide hadn’t checked if the ferry actually went to Robben Island that day, and it turned out it was closed for tourists. He didn’t have a back up plan either, and ended up taking us to a zoo instead.
via Tripadvisor
The weather didn’t stop us!!
Abel is a brilliant guide with so much enthusiasm - the wintry weather meant we couldn’t do Robben Island but we certainly made up for that! Abel curated a fantastic tour with lots of fun activities - and was more than happy to stop for random ostrich photos on the beach!! Thanks, Abel !!!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much
via Tripadvisor
No show!
After booking, the tour operator informed me that the tour's pick up time for was 7:30am sharp. At 7:35 am on the day of the tour, I contacted the tour operator to let them know that I hadn't been picked up yet and asked if they were coming to get me or had the Robben Island Tour been canceled. I contacted the tour operator again at 7:48 am, and again no response. I ended up reaching out to Viator for a refund.
via Viator
“Private?” Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia
This tour is advertised as a tour with a PRIVATE GUIDE,” which I believe is a false description. Yes, my wife and I were the only 2 people on the tour, and we were picked up by a “private tour guide.” However, our “private tour guide,” JoJo, picked us up at our hotel and drove us to the Kirstenbosch Gardens where he told us where to go to purchase our tickets and informed us of the time he would return to pick us up for the next tour. We entered and toured the gardens by ourselves for about 75 minutes until we were fortunate enough to join a free scheduled volunteer-led guided tour of the gardens (for about an hour due to our time constraints). The volunteer guide informed us about the history of the gardens, the various flowers in the sections we toured, and she was fantastic and very knowledgeable. Our “private tour guide” then picked us up in Kirstenbosch Gardens at the appointed time, and he drove us to Groot Constantia Winery. Again, he told us where to go to purchase tickets for a wine tasting and informed us of the time he would return to pick us up for the next tour. The wines we tasted were very good. However, we did not purchase any wines because of the extremely high cost to ship the wines to the USA. The shipping cost alone would have been equivalent to the cost to purchase 6 bottles of wine for every one bottle we purchased. I recorded the names of the wines I liked, and I will see if I can purchase them from a wine seller near my home. We also toured the onsite museum where we learned about the history of the winery, including how Black slaves were used to work in the winery. Additionally, we purchased lunch at the winery, which was very good. There was no tour of the winery facilities itself, which was disappointing. Our “private tour guide” again picked us up at Groot Constantia Winery at the appointed time, and he drove us to the Cape Town harbor for the boat ride to Robbins Island Prison. He again informed us of the time he would return to pick us up after the Robbins Island Prison tour. Going to the prison was a very emotional experience, and it was made more so because our prison guide was also a political prisoner who was incarcerated for about 7 years at the prison, and he was imprisoned along with Nelson Mandela and many others. It is very admirable that he chooses to serve as a guide and relive his experience to tourists, and he exhibited a surprisingly cheerful manner at a place that could only be described as horrible, painful and inhumane for him and the other incarcerated political prisoners. Our “private tour guide” picked us up at the Cape Town harbor at the appointed time, and he drove us to back to our hotel. My low rating is due to the FALSE description of the tour as being with a “PRIVATE GUIDE.” Our “private tour guide” was essentially a driver who took us to 3 different locations for sightseeing. We have done a few other Viator privately guided tours, and this tour DEFINITELY WAS NOT a “privately guided tour.” I must say that our “private tour guide,” JoJo, was very pleasant and punctual, and he did inform us of the sights along the way as he drove us to our various destinations, as well as the sights we would see and experience at each of our respective destinations.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear about your experience, as this is not reflective of the high standards we strive to uphold. For this particular tour, we aim to provide flexibility by not including every attraction as mandatory. Instead, we allow travelers to choose which sites they’d like to visit. We believe this approach offers a more personalized experience, with the main highlight of the tour being Robben Island. We encourage all our guests to review the itinerary carefully to understand the concept and planned stops before booking. Our tour guides are highly trained professionals who are dedicated to creating memorable experiences for our guests. We appreciate your input and will use it to continue improving our services. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you better in the future.
via Viator
A great day
Jojo is very nice and gives you time to go at your own pace. I would take another tour in the future!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- R 1,780 to R 4,650
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Shine The Way Tours, who run 4 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.5.
See everything Shine The Way Tours runsWhy this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cape Town.
How much does Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour cost?
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Prices start at R 1,780 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cape Town usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cape Town is not rushed.
Is Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 25 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cape Town, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour?
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Around 9 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cape Town can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cape Town and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cape Town within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cape Town?
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On Outty we rank every Cape Town experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunrise/Sunset Hike, Hike Table Mountain or Lions Head in Cape Town Like a Local, Cape Point and Boulder's Penguins Full Day Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cape Town?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour?
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Included: Entry/Admission - Robben Island Museum; Bottled water; Pre Booked Robben Island Ticket return; and Boat ticket. Not included: Standard Tasting, Select 5 Wines of your choice R130; Kirstenbosch Gardens Entrance Fees R 200.00/adult(international); and Food , Drink and Gratuities(optional). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 315 listed pickup locations in and around Cape Town. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour offered in?
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It is offered in English and French. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Groot Constantia Tour?
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Across 25 reviews averaging 4.2 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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