Those with a liking for the eerie will surely be interested in South Africa’s fearsome ghost tourism. Bus and walking tours operate out of Cape Town, Joburg, Pretoria, Kimberley, and even the small town of Prince Albert. So if the sound of walking down old streets, past haunted houses, while listening to century-old ghost stories appeals to you, then have a look at the following fearsome ghost tours you can do in South Africa:
Prince Albert Ghost Tours
The quaint Karoo village of Prince Albert has a daunting history dating back to 1762. When wandering the quiet streets, you’ll easily see why ghosts are believed to haunt its old buildings, streets, and pavements. Meet the ‘Doomed Bride’ who was killed in a cart accident on the night before her wedding. She darts happily around the parlour of the house that is now the Fransie Pienaar Museum. You’ll also pass the elderly man who greets pretty ladies from the veranda of his house in Mark Street, see the young nightie-clad lady who bounces on the bed of Mearns House, the former home of a distinguished doctor, and visit an unusual graveyard.
More information:
- Contact: 023 541 1211 or email [email protected]
- Time: October to March 18h30; April to September 18h00
- Cost: R50 per adult and R25 per schoolchild
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Website: Storyweaver ghost walk
Mystery Bus Tours
Based on the original 1988 London Ghost Bus, the Mystery Bus Tour runs through all the major cities and offers a frighteningly fun night for all. You’ll listen to EVP recordings, learn scientific explanations of the different types of ghosts, hear dramatic recordings and ghost stories, stop at various pubs, and get a chance to use Dowsing Rods to detect force fields.
1. Johannesburg
- Venue: Pound & Penny Pub, Sunnyside Hotel, Johannesburg
- Next tour: 22 February 2014 at 19h00
- GPS coordinates: -26.178702,28.047237
Itinerary: The tour begins with an optional dinner at Pound & Penny Pub at 18h00. Landmarks include the Old Transvaal Children’s Memorial Hospital, Women’s Prison, The Old Fort, Devonshire Hotel and Dark Haunted Room, Kensington Castle, and Bezuidenhout or Braamfontein Cemetary.
2. Pretoria
- Venue: The Dros On Atterbury Road, Pretoria
- Next tour: TBC
- GPS coordinates: -25.774187,28.268088
Itinerary: The tour begins with an optional dinner at The Dros at 18h00. Landmarks include Erasmus Castle a.k.a. “Die Spookhuis”, UFO of Erasmus Kloof, Church Square with Paul Kruger’s statue, the Palace of Justice, “Die Raadsaal” with the Dark Haunted Room, “Die Sinkhuisie”, and Church Street Cemetery.
3. Cape Town
- Venue: Ferrymans Tavern, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
- Next tour: 22 February 2014 at 19h00
- GPS coordinates: -33.900544,18.425998
Itinerary: The tour begins with an optional dinner at the Ferryman’s Tavern at 18h00. Landmarks include the German Lutheran Church, Cape of Good Hope Seminary, Kimberley Hotel, Groote Schuur, Hiddingh House, Castle of the Cape of Good Hope, Tokai Manor, and the cemetery.
More information about MGBT:
- Contact: +27 (0) 79 193 7536 or email [email protected]
- Time: 18h00 for 19h00
- What to bring: Pub money, torch, walking shoes, and camera.
- Cost: R299 from Computicket for the Cape Town, Joburg, and Pretoria tours
- Please note: meals are not included in ticket prices
- Duration: 5 hours
- Website: Mystery Bus Ghost Tour
Kimberley Ghost Trail Tour
With 158 haunted houses and buildings, there are few places better suited for ghost tours than Kimberley. Learn about the fascinating town ghouls on a thrilling guided ghost trail. Beginning at the commanding ‘Honoured Dead Memorial’, the trail includes blood curdling facts about ghostly visitations in the Diamond City. Landmarks include the Kimberley Club, Rhodes’ Boardroom, and Rudd House. The tour ends just before the clock announces the bewitching hour at the grave of the Frankensteins in the Gladstone Cemetery.
There are several alternative ghost tours available, including the recently launched ‘Big Hole Ghost Walk’ and a nightly visit to Magersfontein battlefield. Keep an eye out for the stretcher bearer’s swinging lanterns and listen out for ghostly bagpipes. Several battlefield graveyards are also visited on this tour.
More information:
Contact: +27 (0)83 732 3189 or +27 (0)82 572 0065, or email [email protected]
Time: 18h00 – 22h00/late
Cost: R80 per person (less than 10 persons cost on request and excludes transport, dinner etc) Full tour: R500 per person (includes transport, guide, literature, dinner, venue fees, activities, etc)
Duration: ±4 hours
Website: Kimberley Tours
Which ghost tour would you brave doing? Let us know in the comments below.
Main image by Markwainwright (Flickr)
