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Bo-Kaap: Authentic Local Experience with Qualified Tour Guides
4.9
104 Ratings
Cape Town
Experience the rich history and culture of Bo-Kaap with authentic local tour guides. Discover the hidden gems beyond the postcard pictures.
Experience the rich history and culture of Bo-Kaap with authentic local tour guides. Discover the hidden gems beyond the postcard pictures.
Duration:
1 hour
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Bo-kaap - Bo-Kaap is a beautiful, quaint, and colourful suburb that nestles at the foot of Signal Hill in the City Bowl of Cape Town. Its history however is steeped in Slavery and it is also known as the ‘ Birthplace of Islam’ in the Cape. Enslaved people, artisans and political exiles were brought here from Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and…
- Bo-kaap - Bo-Kaap is a beautiful, quaint, and colourful suburb that nestles at the foot of Signal Hill in the City Bowl of Cape Town. Its history however is steeped in Slavery and it is also known as the ‘ Birthplace of Islam’ in the Cape. Enslaved people, artisans and political exiles were brought here from Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Malaysia amongst other places.
- Wale Street - We will meet at 71 Wale Street for an introduction to the area, providing an overview of the history of Cape Town and Bo-Kaap.
- Atlas Trading Company - We then stop at Cape Town’s famed spice shop Atlas, where you will smell the heady aromas of spices used in everyday Cape Malay cooking. These are the same spices used by slaves as an expression of freedom in their ‘masters’ kitchens.
What's Included
- Snacks
- Snacks
Additional Information
As offspring of the slaves transported to the Cape by early Dutch colonists to Bo-Kaap, we are deeply rooted in and tied to the profound history of this place. It’s this profound bond that motivates us to introduce you to this remarkable and intricately designed culture - one that’s unparalleled globally. As locals and accredited tour guides with…
As offspring of the slaves transported to the Cape by early Dutch colonists to Bo-Kaap, we are deeply rooted in and tied to the profound history of this place. It’s this profound bond that motivates us to introduce you to this remarkable and intricately designed culture - one that’s unparalleled globally. As locals and accredited tour guides with abundant experience, we offer you an immersive experience of Bo-Kaap beyond mere holiday snapshots.
Location
71 Wale St
Wale Street
The museum is directly opposite Rose Street Corner cafe shop. Please meet me in front of the museum and not inside the museum.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(104 Ratings)
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Lance_s
Oct 12, 2024
Great experience! - One of the best guided tours we have ever done. Our guide was a member of the local community (he stopped and said hi to almost everyone during our walk) and shared with us both the history of the area and intimate details of daily life (the community garden, stopping to chat in the home of his Aunt). Could not recommend this tour more!
Review provided by Viator
Jerlyn_j
Oct 10, 2024
Authentic Bo-Kapp Walking Tour with a Local Resident - Our tour guide, Rafik, was friendly, personable and very knowledgeable about Bo-Kaap’s history because he’s lives in the neighborhood. We walked through lesser known areas learning about residents and historic buildings. The highlight of the tour was eating a tasty homemade treat in a lifelong resident’s home. Wear comfortable shoes because you will walk up up and down a hill. My mom, sister, and I felt safe but did encounter a person panhandling.
Review provided by Viator
Ann_m
Oct 9, 2024
An authentic view of Bo-Kaap - Siddiq was insightful and thorough in giving a history as well as current state of the Bo-Kaap. He is a respected member of the community, so we walked the streets that are his own, which was different than any other tour group we crossed paths with along the way. We also traveled back streets with no other tours in sight as Siddiq gave full context beyond the pretty buildings, during which community members waved and called out to him along the way. The colorful houses have a beautiful story and it was life changing to learn the reason for them. Siddiq set a manageable pace to be able to take in the surroundings, even ending with time to shop at Atlas and also enjoy a delicious taste of the area with a koeseister. As a female solo traveler, I HIGHLY recommend Siddiq’s tour and suggest booking for the morning and Uber in and out before and after. Wear solid shoes, as there are many uneven cobblestones and elevations. My tour was in early October and it was overcast and cool - I suggest a light jacket.
Review provided by Viator
Flyer767885
Oct 8, 2024
Great walking tour - Siddiqi was very knowledgeable and proud about the culture and history of the neighborhood, particularly having grown up and lived there. The tour was well organized, and well paced. We ended our tour at the spice shop across the street from the museum. Wish I had been better prepared to purchase some spices.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Madeline_d
Aug 23, 2024
Wonderful way to see Bo-Kaap! - Amazing tour of Bo-Kaap! Ilyas was an incredible guide, providing a thorough overview of the history of the neighborhood, as well as sharing his personal experiences. Much of the tour was spent in quieter spots, away from the very touristy sections (but still just as picturesque!), and of course, we still saw the main parts. Our guide was very accommodating with questions and picture stops. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Rubenfelix18
Aug 22, 2024
Excellent Guide. Beautiful neighborhood. - Fantastic Guide, which told the story of Bo Kaap in a dynamic and very noticeable way. The Guide was born in Bo Kaap so he really knows a lot about the neighborhood.
The neighborhood itself is beautiful and in the end we still had the right to a typical sweet little South African.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Quest68105643361
Aug 20, 2024
Thank You Ilyas - We joined the Bo Kaap walking tour the morning after arriving in Cape Town, when our trip to Robben Island was cancelled due to the weather. The team were really helpful in accommodating us last minute and gave us clear instructions for where to meet our guide. We met Ilyas outside the Bo Kaap museum, and were warmly welcomed before proceeding on the really interesting and enjoyable tour of the area. Ilyas, having grown up in the area, was very passionate and informative, and gave the tour with a constant smile in his face. From visiting the commuity garden to freshly home-baked doughnuts, the whole tour was a great way to spend our first morning in Cape Town and we would definitely recommend to others. Thank you Ilyas!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ryan_t
Aug 20, 2024
Great tour - This was such a great experience. We learned so much of Bo-Kaap’s rich history. The people are so welcoming and excited to share their heritage. Also, the food was amazing. Getting the first hand knowledge of a local who grew up and is well respected in his community made this such a good experience. Loved this tour
Review provided by Viator
M2837fgmonicam
Jul 21, 2024
Peek into the past - Sedic”s passion and knowledge made the Bo Kaap come alive with the former voices of the people who used to live there. Although it’s easy to just go see the buildings you won’t know the significance of the buildings or the story of the area without him. We are thankful to have had Sedic as our guide and hope that the area is preserved as a cultural area to retain and honor those who were placed there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Toni_m
Jun 24, 2024
Beautiful scenes - Very knowledgeable guide who was able to speak from his own and his family’s experience about living in Bo-Kaap. This is an amazing, historical place which should definitely be on anybody’s list while travelling to Cape Town!
Review provided by Viator