Cape Town Shaping A Nation Walking Tour

From $97.23 per person Lowest Price Guarantee

Select Date and Travelers

You can select up to 15 travelers in total.

Adult (18-100) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15

Youth (13-17) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15

Child (8-12) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15

Book online or call: +1 437 970 2890

Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Cape Town Shaping A Nation Walking Tour

2 Adults x $151.32

$302.64

Approx Total

$302.64

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Free WiFi
A local Tour Guide
All Fees and Taxes
Entry Tickets

Discretionary Gratuities

Overview

If you have an interest in history, economics, and the shaping of a nation, this Cape Town Walking Tour unravels the complex dynamics that have influenced South Africa. Our skilled guides appraise the roles played by people, institutions and politics and share insights into the events and policies that shaped South Africa. They will highlight fateful events and legislations, how the arrival of Europeans changed a uniquely African way of life, and the injustice of colonization, slavery, racial segregation and apartheid. History provides many lessons to be learned.

Meeting points

Go to the open square on the corner of Spin & Parliament Street. Our tour guide will be waiting at the feet of Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr (Onze Jan).

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Company's Gardens (Pass By)

Our certified tour guide will accompany you on a journey through the remaining section of South Africa's oldest garden. Originally established by Dutch settlers upon their arrival at the Cape in 1652, this garden was designed to cultivate fresh vegetables for their ships en route to destinations in Southeast Asia. Presently, the Company Gardens stand as a serene and picturesque haven, cherished by local residents who frequent its lush surroundings.
Iziko Slave Lodge

At this location, you will see exhibits that delve into the profound history of slavery and the harrowing experiences endured by enslaved people in South Africa. When the VOC (the Dutch East Indian Company) arrived to establish their presence at the Cape in 1652, they quickly realized that enslaving the indigenous Khoisan population to fulfill their labor needs was impractical. As a result, they made the decision to import cargoes of slaves from the Gulf of Guinea (today the area from Angola to Benin and Guinea in West Africa), who were initially housed at the Slave Lodge. Over a span of more than 200 years, additional human cargo arrived from Ceylon, Batavia, and various other locations in the Southeast Asian region, satiating the insatiable appetite for the slave trade prevalent during that era.

20 minutes
Groote Kerk

During your visit, you will have the opportunity to see the magnificent Great Church (Groote Kerk), constructed in 1665 to serve the needs of the members of the Dutch East Indian Company who began arriving in 1652. The church's significance later extended beyond religious worship, as it also played a crucial role in the baptism of former slaves who were required to convert to Christianity before attaining the status of citizenship once slavery was abolished in 1834.

15 minutes
Greenmarket Square

Constructed in the 18th century, during an era when slavery prevailed, Greenmarket Square originally functioned as a bustling slave market. However, as the economy shifted towards agriculture in subsequent years, it transformed into a vibrant marketplace where cattle, produce, and various goods were traded, attracting merchants of diverse backgrounds. Notably, in the vicinity, the Old Town House was erected in 1775, believed to be the first two-story building in the area. It would later evolve into the first municipal building in South Africa.

10 minutes
District Six Museum

The apartheid government, upon attaining power in 1948, aimed to eradicate diversity. During this tour, our guide will illustrate how the infamous Group Areas Act disrupted the rich diversity that once thrived in the vibrant community of central Cape Town in the late 1950s. Notably, apart from District Six, the Apartheid government forcibly displaced residents from over forty other communities within the Cape Town metropolis.

20 minutes
City Hall

As you visit this site, it's impossible not to envision the anticipation and emotions of the massive crowd that gathered when Nelson Mandela made his historic appearance and delivered his first speech after being released from prison on 11th February 1990. The grandeur of this King Edward-era building, constructed in 1905, is truly captivating, situated at the heart of the city and providing a picturesque view of the magnificent Grand Parade. If time permits, our guide could lead you into the building to see the Nelson Mandela Exhibition currently on display.

10 minutes
Castle of Good Hope

Against the backdrop of a military-powered forceful removal of the indigenous Khoisan inhabitants from this very original shoreline in Cape Town, the Castle of Good Hope was built as a fortified sanctuary for officials of the Dutch East Indian Company (VOC) in 1666. Its construction was driven by the need to safeguard the settlers from potential attacks by displaced locals and rival European powers during the seventeenth century. Today, this remarkable structure stands proudly as a designated World Heritage Site by UNESCO, offering a poignant narrative of power dynamics, land invasion, imperialism, and the tragic dismantling of a thriving community. As you explore this site, you will witness a captivating reenactment of the long-lost history. You will also experience the openness of this space today - repurposed to foster healing and bridge the divides of bygone eras. It serves as a powerful reminder of the work that still remains to be done in the pursuit of reconciliation.

45 minutes

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Free Cancellation

June 11100% refund

June 12No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Reviews

5.0

1 review

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

1
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We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-1 of 1 reviews with 5 stars

Cape town shaping a Nation Walking Tour

Published on Jan, 2024

I live in Cape Town and know much of the history, but taking my family from NZ with Adeola on this tour was so informative, fascinating, historical and well told and explained. Great storytelling. the one disappointing thing was to see the Castle of Good Hope in the state of disrepair. (no fault of our guide) this is a historical fort and should be maintained to keep to standards of museums. really sad. however we loved everything and everywhere we went in this exquisite City of Cape Town. A must do tour.

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Cape Town Shaping A Nation Walking Tour | 4 hours

Inclusions / Exclusions

Overview

Meeting points

End point

Itinerary

Company's Gardens (Pass By)

Iziko Slave Lodge

Groote Kerk

Greenmarket Square

District Six Museum

City Hall

Castle of Good Hope

Sample Menu

Additional Info

Free Cancellation

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