Half-Day Small-Group Township Tour South Africa from Cape Town

Experience this guided half-day cultural tour, starts in District Six with an introduction to the townships and the damage of apartheid policies, visit several of the townships starting with Langa, the oldest and smallest township where you will see various cultural and historical sites. Visit a local pre-school where you will spend time with local children who are full of energy and fun, you will also visit with a traditional healer and go on a walking tour to a shebeen (local pub) and maybe taste local beer. Enjoy the small group tour on an air-conditioned transport, which remains personal and intimate, there are plenty of opportunities to ask questions and engage with local members of the communities. Choose from one of 2 departure times when you book, if you choose the Robben Island tour extension, your guide will drop you off at Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V and A Waterfront where your trip to Robben Island departs.

Once you have been collected from your accommodation, you will proceed to District Six where the first half hour will be spent learning of apartheid and how residents of the area were forcibly removed to the Cape Flats. 

After hopping back on the bus, you will take a short drive to Langa. This township is the oldest with history and heritage sites such as the Old Pass office and Robert Sobukwe’s monument. It is also the smallest township with a vibrant and intimate community where everyone knows each other.

Next, you will go for an hour and a half walking tour which will include visits to hostels and shacks to see the varied living conditions of township life. You will also visit a shebeen (local pub) where you will have the opportunity to try local homemade beer. To round this off, you will visit a traditional healer in action!

The tour continues with a drive through Bonteheuwel. Under apartheid policies, this township was reserved for the colored community. This will contextualize the man-made division of people and the relationship within communities today.

On the next stop at the Seven Monument and Amy Biehl Monument in Gugulethu. Gugulethu is home to the famous Mzolis restaurant - a true braai (barbecue) restaurant in the South African style. There will be opportunities to support local businesses and markets throughout the tour.

The last township to visit is Khayelitsha. This township is the youngest and largest and is still growing as a result of the people migrating from rural areas to the city. Visit the Philani Center, which began as a nutrition center for kids and now serves both the mothers and the children of the community. There you will find community projects including weaving, painting, t-shirts printing etc.

After saying goodbye to many happy faces at the Philani Center, you will return to the city. Those booked for the afternoon extension to Robben Island are dropped at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V and A Waterfront. Guests who are not booked for the extension are then dropped back at their accommodation.