Cape Town on Foot: From the Slave Lodge to Bo-Kaap
About the Tour
So, you're off to see the Bo-Kaap? No doubt your mind conjures up pictures of quaint and brightly-coloured houses - but your walk today will reveal a Bo-Kaap that has little to do with its prettiness. To focus on that aspect alone would be an injustice to the people of Bo-Kaap.
This area’s roots reach back into the early days of Dutch East India Company rule at the Cape and the days of slavery.
This walk uncovers the story behind the oldest, but not exclusive, Muslim area in Cape Town. The Bo-Kaap is a vast area stretching from Buitengracht Street to the slopes of Signal Hill, and from Strand Street towards Table Mountain. Its residents embrace a diversity of cultures and religions.
The people of Bo-Kaap are warm and hospitable. Some even welcome visitors into their homes to enjoy a local delicacy with them. Try a friendly salaam aleikum greeting, or shukraan (thank you), and you will be rewarded with a happy smile!
Tour Producer
Ursula Stevens
Hi, I am Ursula, your guide.
I grew up in Hamelin, the Pied Piper’s town in Germany, and, like a Pied Piper, I will lead you along the streets of Cape Town, and soon along the enthralling Route 62 discovering the wonders of Little Karoo.
The Wanderlust bug bit me early, running off to Africa as a little child, but alas, my venture was foiled, so I completed my schooling in Germany.
After matriculation I travelled, first to Namibia, my mother’s home, then worked at Victoria Falls but where I also found the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the ‘rainbow’, my future husband.
We settled in Cape Town, and after a couple of years of being a housewife, I embarked on a BA Degree through the University of South Africa (UNISA), majoring in history and languages, and obtaining a Teacher’s Diploma (HED).
After 12 years of teaching at various high schools, the travel bug returned and I established my company ‘Wanderlust’, guiding groups across the mountains of the Western Cape and along the Namibian Fish River Canyon trail.
Eventually I hung up my hiking boots and, as a certified tourist guide, worked for different companies, before managing my “Cape Town on Foot Walking Tours” for twenty years.
Inspired by my experiences I authored first, "The Backpacker's Cookbook" published by Struik, followed by several guidebooks about the Western Cape under the Wanderlust label, namely ”Cape Town on Foot”, Cape of Good Hope,a journey of discovery"," Winelands Explorer", "Die Weinstrasse am Kap", "West Coast & beyond", "Garden Route Travels", "Heart of the Garden Route", "Bo-Kaap&Islam", (also in German)and "Kapstadt zu Fuss",
Now you do the walking whilst I do the talking as you listen to my audio walking tours through parts of Cape Town.
Presently I live in the coastal town of Knysna enjoying a somewhat slower pace and hoping my tours will tempt you to explore further.
Thank you for listening and keep travelling!
Preview Location
Location 11
Along Dorp Street
Sheik Yusuf of Macassar was prominent amongst the early influential exiles here. He was born in 1626 and hailed from Gowa, on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. This highly educated and m... Read More
How VoiceMap Works
Major Landmarks
-
Cape Town's St Georges Cathedral
-
Masjid Boorhaanol Islam
-
Mosque Shafee
-
Auwal Mosque
-
Tana Baru Cemetery
-
Iziko Bo Kaap Museum
-
St George's Cathedral
-
Nurul Islam Mosque
-
Dorp Street
-
Auwal Masjid
-
Chiappini Street
-
Mosque Shafee
-
Tana Baru Cemetery
-
Masjid Boorhaanol Islam
-
Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum
Getting There
Route Overview
-
Total distance2km -
Final location104 Wale St, Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa -
Distance back to start location665.81m
Directions to Starting Point
The Slave Lodge is the starting point, situated at the top end of Adderley Street. Parking is possible in the Mandela Rhodes Building (entrance on Burg Street), or in Queen Victoria Street.
Tips
Places to stop along the way
Bo-Kaap Museum, Rose Corner Cafe, Atlas Trading Store, Auwal Mosque, Tana Baru, Rocksole
Best time of day
Enjoy the walk on weekdays from 9am until about 5pm, and on Saturday mornings till noon. The streets of Cape Town empty after 5pm and over the weekend, which may make them unsafe.
Precautions
Do not carry valuables in the side or back pockets of your rucksack, nor in the back pockets of your trousers. Do not keep your mobile phones visible in shirt pockets.
Please do not react to beggars, young or old – rather donate to social welfare programs.
Please dress respectfully. It is advisable for ladies to carry a scarf to cover their heads for a possible mosque visit, or when visiting the Holy Graves at the Muslim cemetery.
Get The App