If you enjoy a spooky story as much as I do, then be sure to book for one of these ghost tours! Even if you don’t meet a ghost, you’ll hear some interesting stories and learn some fascinating history.
If you enjoy a good ghost story as much as I do, then be sure to book for one of these spooktacular ghost tours, when in Cape Town, Kimberley, Pilgim’s Rest, Prince Albert and more.
Cape Town, Western Cape
It has been said that Simon’s Town is one of the most haunted hoods in Cape Town, which is not surprising considering that it was formally established in 1741 and if you look at photos from yesteryear, you’ll see that little has changed and many of the original buildings are still there.
It turns out that some of the original inhabitants are still there too – breaking bottles in the dead of night, scratching at the walls in basements, or simply sitting quietly in hotel lounges. There ghosts that like to have parties, ghosts who favour haunting women, singing ghosts and ghosts that make their presence known with the smell of fish. And you can hear all about them and more on the Simon’s Town Ghost Walk… if you dare!
I have personally done this fascinating ghost walk and you can read more about it here.
Note: A minimum of 8 people are required for the tour to take place.
Cost: R200 per person, or upsize to R300 per person and add a meal to your walk.
Contact: André Leibbrandt on 076 190 4081 (Whatsapp preferred), or visit the Facebook page.
Kaapsehoop, Mpumalanga
Kaapsehoop near Mbombela (Nelspruit) is popular now for its beautiful architecture and the free-roaming wild horses, but this small historical village was once filled with murder, intrigue, mystery, and the Kruger millions. All of which stemmed from the area’s shady gold mining past!
The Kaapsehoop Ghost Tour is an hour-long tour where you can listen to stories of mayhem and tragedy, or perhaps hear the resident ghostly children crying for help. The pub in town has apparently also experienced strange phenomena, with the smashing of crockery when music is played at high decibels! Don’t believe it? I dare you to go there for drink and let me know!
Cost: R150 per person
Contact: Vincent 082 590 8363
Kimberley, Northern Cape
Kimberley has considerable historical significance due to its diamond mining past and the siege during the Second Anglo-Boer war. Cecil Rhodes and Barney Barnato made their fortunes here, with Rhodes establishing the De Beers diamond company in the early days of the mining town.
The capital of the Northern Cape is also renowned for the number and variety of their resident spirits with many apparitions haunting the old mining town’s most historic houses and monuments. Your guide will accompany you to some of the most reputedly haunted corners, which could include the Kimberley Club, Rhodes’ Boardroom and Rudd House – an archetypal haunted house (pictured below). The tour ends just before the clock announces the bewitching hour at the grave of the Frankensteins in the Gladstone Cemetery.
Note: Minimum 10 adults (get a group together and have fun!)
Cost: R280 per person
Contact: Steve 083 732 3189 or Jaco 082 572 0065
Pilgrim’s Rest, Mpumalanga
The historic gold mining village of Pilgrim’s Rest on The Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is definitely worth a visit even if you aren’t a fan of ghosts. You’ll be taken back in time to the days of the gold rush in the 1870’s as the town has changed very little from its heyday. As a National Monument Pilgrim’s Rest is now a protected historical site.
However, not all the prospectors who came to the town in search of their fortunes got to leave. You can join a two-hour ghost tour, operated by Brummers Tours, where you can visit Alanglade House, reputedly haunted by the owner’s wife and his small daughter and enjoy a sherry by a tombstone while listening to interesting tales of the miners buried in the graveyard.
Note: Minimum of 4 adults required. Tours operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but larger groups can book for any day of the week.
Cost: R185 per adult
Contact: Phone 082 522 1958 or visit their website
Prince Albert, Western Cape
With over ten resident ghosts, Prince Albert could well be one of the most haunted towns in the Karoo! This shouldn’t be surprising as Prince Albert is over 150 years old and has seen a great deal of history and many different characters living in the town. Some of whom clearly never left!
Ailsa Tudhope, known as The Story Weaver, has been sharing the ghostly sightings in Prince Albert since 2002. Not only will you hear intriguing spooky tales, you’ll also learn much about the town’s history, the town’s architecture and the interesting characters that have lived there.
This is one of the best tours I have ever done and Ailsa certainly knows how to captivate an audience with her stories. Read more about my experience here.
Cost: R100 per person
Contact: Ailsa 023-541-1211, or visit the website.
Mystery Ghost Productions
I am including this company in this article because many years ago I did go on the Mystery Ghost Bus in Cape Town and really enjoyed it. However, they keep saying they could be closing, so I am not entirely sure what is going on there! Perhaps it is a marketing ploy? Who knows, but they do seem to do a selection of ghost tours in Johannesburg, Parys, Cullinan and Pretoria. They also do a tour in Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth once a year.
You can visit their website to find out more and hopefully book a tour.
Published October 2022 | Own cost