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Cape Town Facts & Tips

Cape Town is a winter rainfall region

Unlike the rest of the country, the Cape Town area, and the entire Western Cape, is a winter rainfall region. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, the South African winter stretches from about mid-May to mid-September. During this winter period, the rainfall significantly increases with storms lasting up to several days with anything from mild sprinkles to torrential downpours. That said, should your visit coincide with winter, bring along your rain gear.

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Robben Island Travel Guide in Cape Town

Robben Island Travel Guide - Cape Town

Robben Island

The former prison and UN World Heritage site lies about 7 kilometres offshore from Cape Town in Table Bay's Atlantic Ocean waters. The island is most famous for its history as a place of incarceration for political prisoners and anti-apartheid activists during the Apartheid ruling years of South Africa. The most notable political prisoner to have had the misfortune of staying on Robben Island is the great Nelson Mandela.

Prior to being a prison, Robben Island was used at different times to isolate lepers and also as a strategic defense post during World War II protecting Table Bay and Cape Town from incoming naval threats.

In 1997, the island was turned into a museum with daily boat excursions departing from the V & A Waterfront to the island for guided tours by ex-inmates of the prison. Visitors can experience the harsh conditions the prisoners experienced on the island during their confinement.

Other Attractions in Cape Town

Camps Bay

Cape Point

Cape Town

Clifton Beach

Kirstenbosch Gardens

Robben Island

Table Mountain

V&A Waterfront