The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap in Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa

The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap

Outty Ranking 52 5.0 · 1 traveler reviews0.6 hoursFrom $6
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Outty Ranking

52/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap worth booking?

The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap is a 0.6-hour experience in Cape Town, South Africa, from $6 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
52 / 100
Rating
5/5 (1)
Duration
0.6 hours
From
$6 per person

Explore the Bo-Kaap with one of its renowned residents Shereen Habib. Starting at the Bo-Kaap Museum, wind your way past the neighborhood’s major sites and secret corners on old cobbled streets. You’ll visit the oldest mosque in South Africa and learn the real significance behind the Tana Baru Cemetery. Shereen’s intimate knowledge and unique humour reveals a living history of the Bo-Kaap that cannot be found anywhere else. The tour is ready whenever you are. It plays audio automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smart phone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline. Bo-kaaps brightly painted houses provide excellent photography throughout, and there’s also a great lunch eatery where you can sample ridiculously tasty Cape Malay cuisine. Start the tour in the app, put your phone in your pocket, and let Shereen direct you through the streets. The total walking distance is 1km and takes about a half hour without stopping, but you can pause anytime!

What you get

    About this experience

    Explore the Bo-Kaap with one of its renowned residents Shereen Habib. Starting at the Bo-Kaap Museum, wind your way past the neighborhood’s major sites and secret corners on old cobbled streets. You’ll visit the oldest mosque in South Africa and learn the real significance behind the Tana Baru Cemetery. Shereen’s intimate knowledge and unique humour reveals a living history of the Bo-Kaap that cannot be found anywhere else. The tour is ready whenever you are. It plays audio automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smart phone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline. Bo-kaaps brightly painted houses provide excellent photography throughout, and there’s also a great lunch eatery where you can sample ridiculously tasty Cape Malay cuisine. Start the tour in the app, put your phone in your pocket, and let Shereen direct you through the streets. The total walking distance is 1km and takes about a half hour without stopping, but you can pause anytime!

    What's included

    Included

    • VoiceMap Application
    • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
    • Lifetime access to the 'Bo-Kaap: The Village in the City' tour

    Not included

    • Smartphone
    • Transportation
    • Food/drinks
    • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

    What you'll see and do

    1. Bo-kaap

      Explore Bo-Kaap with an audio tour by Shereen Habib, an author and tour guide who has lived in this neighbourhood for most of her life.

      60 minutes here

    2. Iziko Bo Kaap Museum

      The tour starts at the entrance to this museum, and visitors can visit it either before of afterwards.

      Pass by without stopping

    3. Auwal Masjid

      The oldest mosque in South Africa. It still houses a handwritten copy of the Holy Quran by the mosque's first Imam which was written from memory while he was in jail in the late 1700's.

      Pass by without stopping

    4. The Tana Baru Cemetery is the resting place of South Africa’s earliest Muslim settlers.

      15 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Cape Town

    Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
    Languages
    en, fr
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    VoiceMap Audio Tours

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Houses are painted in bright and colourful ways in the Bo-Kaap, Cape Town's city edge district, The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour...The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap in Cape Town, photo 3The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap in Cape Town, photo 4The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap in Cape Town, photo 5The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap in Cape Town, photo 6

    Traveler reviews

    1 verified traveler reviews for The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    1
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    alicia-chamaille · September 2019

    Surreal tour of the Bo-Kaap

    I did this tour in French with my boyfriend in June. We both found the tour incredibly interesting and loved hearing Shereen's stories. The added sound effects created a surreal experience. I've done similar tours of the Bo Kaap but they lacked the personal aspect that makes this tour so great.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    0.6 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    0
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours, who run 703 experiences we rank across 222 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 54.8.

    See everything VoiceMap Audio Tours runs

    Why this scores 52

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)85
    Review evidence (18% weight)12
    Booking momentum (14% weight)0
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)51
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cape Town.

    How much does The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap cost?

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    Prices start at $6 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 The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap take?

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    Plan for about 0.6 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 The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Cape Town, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap?

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    No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

    Is The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap?

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    Around 0 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 0.6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap 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 The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap?

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    Included: VoiceMap Application; Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata; and Lifetime access to the 'Bo-Kaap: The Village in the City' tour. Not included: Smartphone; Transportation; Food/drinks; and Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap?

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    Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap 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 The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap?

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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.

    What happens to The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Cape Town. Standard cancellation terms apply.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap.

    Pick your date