The 15 Tickets & Entry Passes in South Africa That Earn Their Price

1.Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Guided Prison Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,792 reviews · 4 hours · from $79Our pick

Meet at the Nelson Mandela Gateway, skip the ticket-selling line, and take the shared ferry to Robben Island. A bus tour covers the island before a former political prisoner leads you through the prison, including Nelson Mandela’s cell. Allow four hours, bring ID, and expect queues to board the boat.

“what impressed me most where our guides. Troyer made the welcome to Robben Island light and warm, and immediately connected with the group. Terrence showed us the prison through his eyes, making this an emotional and unique experience. Thank you both, baie dankie!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.2 Oceans Helicopter Flight with Boat Tour Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 417 reviews · 25 min · from $320Top rated

Take a shared 25-minute helicopter flight from the V&A Waterfront around Table Mountain, past Camps Bay, Hout Bay, Muizenberg, and Constantia. Your English-speaking pilot provides live commentary. After landing, collect a catamaran harbour-tour ticket, valid for seven days. Pickup is available within 3 km.

“Was an amazing experience. Look out for the little golf buggies to take you to the helipad. You do not need to walk.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Townships Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 400 reviews · from $89

Spend a revealing day with Sam’s Cultural Tours, visiting District Six, Langa, Bonteheuwel, and Gugulethu before taking the Robben Island ferry. Local guides such as Sam, Shake, Mpumzi, or Luyolo may lead the township portion, with stops at a school, shebeen, healer, homes, and memorials. The day ends at the V&A Waterfront.

“This was such an informative day out. We started in the township areas and both of our guides were incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the area and South Africa. We could have stayed speaking to them both for hours. There were moments I'll admit when I was a little nervous walking through the township but everyone we met along the way were very friendly. The trip to Robben Island was sobering but again steeped in so much history. Having an ex-prisoner as our guide inside the prison made it very real. A highly recommended tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.The Cape Wheel Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 350 reviews · 15 min · from $16

At Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, you’ll ride the Cape Wheel in a fully enclosed, air-conditioned cabin for four revolutions, about 15 minutes. From 40 metres up, look across Table Mountain, Robben Island, the city, harbor, Atlantic coast, and Hottentots range. Two cabins accommodate wheelchairs, making this an easy family activity.

“The wheel was modern and well-Located at the Waterfront. There was a muslem prayer room just behind the Wheel which was a blessing. Thanks to those who arranged it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Robben Island Ferry with Prison Ticket and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 324 reviews · 3h 30m · from $90

Take the ferry from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront to Robben Island, then tour the island by bus and walk through the maximum-security prison with a former political prisoner. You’ll see Mandela’s cell, the lime quarry, Robert Sobukwe’s house, and exhibits that explain the island’s past. The 210-minute tour is in English and wheelchair accessible.

“Our guide was amazing. A truly touching moment listening to his story as an ex-prisoner. Definitely recommend this tour”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Table Mountain Cable Car Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 236 reviews · 7 days · from $62

Take the rotating cable car from the Lower Cableway Station to Table Mountain’s summit, then explore viewing decks and Fynbos trails at your own pace. You get city, ocean, and sunset views without a guide or hotel transfer. The ticket is valid for seven days, useful when wind, rain, or low cloud changes your plans.

“The cable car trip was excellent, but I had trouble validating my ticket. I tried to validate it with the QR code sent to me but it didn't work. Eventually the staff found the barcode which was required. I now don't understand why the QR code was supplied when I needed the barcode to gain entry.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Guided Prison Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 160 reviews · from $69

You’ll take a shared 30-minute ferry from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront to Robben Island, then tour the island by bus and visit the prison with a former political prisoner as your guide. The full experience lasts about four hours. Bring your passport copy, expect queues, and allow for weather-related cancellations.

“This was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend going on this tour. It’s Rich in history and even though it’s a prison has amazing views.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Cape Town Highlights & Hidden Gems Including Tickets and Snack

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 139 reviews · from $95

Spend about four hours walking central Cape Town with a private local guide. Visit the Castle of Good Hope, see Bo-Kaap, pass District Six, enjoy a local drink or tasting, and shape the route around your interests. Guides such as Sebastian, Parinita, Theo, and Dev have earned strong praise for history, care, and personal recommendations.

“Sebastian was outstanding. He recognized right away that our youngest was energetic and probably would have had a hard time on the planned tour. So when I asked him for a change of plan- to guide us to the top of Table Mountain- he enRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Robben Island Experience: Pre-Booked Ticket & Return Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 126 reviews · from $60

Travel from your Cape Town accommodation to the Nelson Mandela Gateway, take the ferry to Robben Island, and tour the prison with a former political prisoner. The half-day package includes admission, return transfers, bottled water, and an air-conditioned vehicle, though ferry delays and pickup errors can affect the schedule.

“Wow just so inspiring engaging with a political prisoner. Very educational and encouraging to know through dialect many problems can be solved. We are so in awe of the way South Africa has become one nation without anger and animosity to the past. Australia can learn very much from the South African people in finding unity as a nation.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Harties Cableway Experience Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 119 reviews · from $17

Take a return cableway ride from Hartbeespoort to the top of the Magaliesberg Mountains, about 1.5 kilometers above the valley. You can stay for one to five hours, enjoy views of the Hartbeespoort region, and use summit facilities including restaurants, music, children’s play areas, ice cream, pizza, and mini-golf.

“Awesome experience and well run institution. Professional and friendly staff. Good facilities and mountain top. Well looked after establishment.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Skip the Line: Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 110 reviews · from $11Best value

Spend about 75 minutes at Highgate Ostrich Farm in the Klein Karoo. A guide such as Samantha, Ben, or Jean introduces you to ostrich biology, incubators, feathers, eggs, and leather. You can feed an ostrich by hand, see young birds when available, watch an ostrich derby, and browse the restaurant and gift shop. Riding may no longer be offered.

“Hautnahe Begegnung mit den Straussen, viel erfahren, nettes Grüppchen, sehr netter Guide- hat alles Fragen beantwortet...”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 90 reviews · 1 day · from $34

Spend a full day exploring Kirstenbosch at the foot of Table Mountain. Your ticket covers entry and access to themed gardens, indigenous plants, tranquil water features, and the Boomslang Tree Canopy Walkway. The valid ticket arrives by email and WhatsApp the day before, while the GetYourGuide voucher itself does not provide entry.

Check availability →Read our full review

13.ROBBEN ISLAND MUSEUM TOUR, WITH OPTIONAL LAST MINUTE TICKETS

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 85 reviews · 4 hours · from $90

This four-hour Robben Island tour takes you by shared ferry from Cape Town to the former prison, where a former political prisoner leads the island visit. You’ll see Nelson Mandela’s cell, communal cells, the limestone quarry, Robert Sobukwe’s house arrest site, and Table Mountain views. The voucher is not the boarding ticket, so contact Concierge Runners Cape Town after booking.

“Medise was our guide on the bus, he really is an exceptional inspirational guide to have. Glad we made the tour while there are still ex-prissonars to share their own personal experience with us. It was a humbling experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Robben Island Tour Tickets and V&A Waterfront

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 71 reviews · from $78

You’ll be picked up in Cape Town, transferred to the Nelson Mandela Gateway, and ferried to Robben Island. A former political prisoner leads the island visit, including Nelson Mandela’s cell and the Long Walk to Freedom. Afterward, your driver takes you to the V&A Waterfront for photos, shopping, and lunch on your own.

“I really loved the experience The guide was awesome, really knew the history and helped a lot to understand the context of the streets, buildings, and other infrastructure. I loved it so much and I recommend it”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.2hr Guided Game Drive at 10h00; Kragga Kamma Game Park Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · from $28

Join a professional guide at 10:00 for a two-hour open-vehicle drive through Kragga Kamma Game Park near Port Elizabeth. Look for giraffes, zebras, rhinos, buffalo, lions, and antelope, with cheetahs kept in a private enclosure. Bring binoculars, sunscreen, and a camera. Food and drinks are available to buy.

“It was such an awesome experience and our tour guide was so amazing, she did everything to make sure we get close to all the animals so we can get clear views and pictures of them, she’s so patient and sweet. I also learnt so much about the animals and their habits. It was wonderful! Also a lucky day for us, we got to see most animals in the park.”

Check availability →Read our full review