Township Tour in Cape Town

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Doing a township tour in Cape Town has become increasingly popular and there are more and more tour operators.

Why visit the Townships?

More than half of Cape Town's population lives in the townships! It's not all plam trees and five star hotels. Township life offers an insight into South African history like no other experience.

There is nothing romantic about township life in Cape Town. It's dangerous and often circumstances are incredibly hard. And yet... there is some sense of community on the township streets that we seldom see these days in the suburbs. People walk or take public transport - privately owned cars are not the norm. Life is lived largely within sight of your neighbours. That makes for plenty of neighbourly interaction and a strong sense of community.


For us as visitors, the townships are eye-opening, sometimes unbelievable (even though reality is right before your eyes!). But for the people who live in those communities, the South African townships are their lives, homes and families.

Some things are private, right?

Now, imagine a bus full of onlookers driving up and down the streets of your suburb, peering curiously into the details of your life, but not wanting to stop and speak to you. It feels uncomfortable, doesn't it?

Some township tours are like that - busloads of tourists peering out of their windows. I don't think that's appropriate, and the community members don't like it either. Hence my determination to recommend only the best township tour operators in Cape Town for this job.

When in doubt, ask an expert!

I have never yet done a township tour. My visits to the townships have been in the company of people I know and at their invitation.

So initally for this township tours article I turned to Roddy, a family friend who is also an independent tour guide and tour operator in Cape Town. After years in the Cape Town travel industry, he was able to give me some good advice.

From shacks to bricks!
Here's a home I helped build thanks to Habitat for Humanity

Which Tour Company to Use?

And now, after a couple of years I have formed my own opinions about who's who in the township tour in Cape Town zoo!

(Please note that these recommendation are based on what I know from being on the outskirts of the industry. I do not have an affiliation to these companies, nor do I receive any payment for recommendations. If that changes, I will tell you)

For tours with Youngsters

Hands-on is the way to go:-)

Take a look at Andulela Tours (big on responsible tourism) and their specific themes which will give the children something fun and hands-on to experience while they tour. So try the Township soccer experience, the drumming workshop or the African cooking tour. (If your kids are okay with spicy, the Cape Malay cooking tour would be great too!)

If you have budding musicians, the Jazz tour would be HUGE fun and Cape Town has a rich jazz tradition, particularly in its 'Minstrels'.

Responsible Tourism, Renowned in the Industry

A smaller, local company is Cape Capers, owned by Faizal Gangat who was Top SA Tourist Guide in 2004. He has great charisma and is totally dedicated to grassroots upliftment via tourism.

Township Tour in Cape Town Booking Guidelines

If you DO decide to go with someone else, here are some rules of thumb...

• use a well-established tour operator
• keep your total number of visitors to 10 or less - check when you make the arrangements
• use a Cape Town tour guide who will share the background to the township story - you need to know the history to really appreciate the vast impact of the townships