Wildlife & Nature Tours
Cape Town

Robben Island

Robben Island was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 and in recent years much has been done to restore the island’s natural ecology.

 

The Island was named “Robben” (the Dutch word for seal) Island by early settlers in reference to the large resident seal population at the time.

 

In 1991 Robben Island was included in the SA Natural Heritage Program and the north part of the island was declared a bird sanctuary. Fallow Deer, Ostrich, Tortoise and Rabbits are all found on the island.

 

The modern day island is once again an important breeding area for sea birds and is currently home to 1000’s of breeding pairs of African Penguins – the second largest colony of this vulnerable species.

 

During the ferry crossing dolphins, seals and penguins can be seen, whilst shy Black Oyster Catchers can also be spotted feeding on the island’s rocky shoreline.

 

The late Nelson Mandela served 18 of his 27 year prison sentence on Robben Island. The prison is now a museum and a popular tourist attraction.


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