Robben Island Scenic Flight
Aerial view of historic landmarks on Robben Island
Robben Island is famously the prison island on which Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years, along with fellow struggle veterans. Apart from the role it played during the turbulent apartheid era in South Africa, Robben Island has been many things over the past century and is rich in history. The barren island is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Robben is the Dutch word for seal. In 1652, Dutch settlers let their cattle graze the area, and a few years later is became a prison. Lepers, as well as other physically and mentally ill people, were also once incarcerated on the island. In 1961, it became a prison for pollical criminals, including the late former president, Nelson Mandela. Today, tourists from all over the world visit the island to learn more about its fascinating history.