Unpacked: HintHunt, Cape Town’s original escape rooms

15 stories & insights about these epic escape rooms

Last updated: Tuesday, 9 September 2025

HintHunt was the first to bring the escape room craze to South Africa, transforming players into action heroes and sleuths, and teleporting them straight into their favourite Marvel movie or murder mystery novel. There’s outdoor challenges too, like the Amazing Race, where teams solve puzzles across the V&A and race to the finish line. 

They’ve even been crowned The Best Adventure Experience in the Western Cape by KFM’s The Best of The Cape Awards (2025). As one of the V&A Waterfront’s highest rated places with thousands of glowing stories, it’s no wonder players keep coming back. Here are just 15 of our favourite ones.

HintHunt opened its first escape room in 2013, and is now a global pioneer in escape room games. Image: HintHunt

FEELS LIKE YOU’VE “ESCAPED THE REAL WORLD”  

Every escape room at HintHunt is packed with detail, right down to the ambient background sounds (like club music while you stand in a dodgy city alley). Melissa Reyneke (Google reviews) says it felt like she “truly escaped the real world for an hour.”

Once you’re locked in, you and your team (two to six players) have 60 to 75 minutes to crack the puzzles and break free. Each room comes with its own challenge level, plus a gamemaster who drops helpful hints if you hit a dead end.

Plus, HintHunt is based at the Watershed in the V&A Waterfront, where there’s over 100 buzzing eateries, something Wihan Cahill (Google reviews) loves about it. “Since it's close to the mall, you can enjoy drinks afterwards.”

You and your team have 60 to 75 minutes to crack the puzzles and break free. Image: HintHunt

“BOOKED ANOTHER THE SAME DAY” 

There are six immersive themes to choose from, with challenges like launching a torpedo, attempting a prison break, recovering stolen royal jewels, and uncovering the secrets of a famous writer’s disappearance.

Players love the range of challenges. Chanel Pon (Google reviews) says they had such a good time they “ended up booking another one the same day.” Deidre Loots (Google reviews) adds that The Old Hotel is packed with intricate puzzles that kept them “engaged from start to finish,” with the eerie atmosphere adding to the challenge and making it feel like they were “truly part of a mystery.”

HintHunt has six themes to choose from, with everything from launching a torpedo and pulling a prison break, to recovering stolen royal jewels. Image: HintHunt

“FEELS LIKE MISSION IMPOSSIBLE”   

Some HintHunt rooms are inspired by your favourite movies and shows. Like Escape Plan, a Prison Break-style game where you and your cellmates must decipher codes left by the previous escapees.

And Torpedo, which “feels like a submarine from Mission Impossible,” says Simone Schultz, head of operations at CapeTownMagazine.com. With pipes and valves lining the dark grey room, it “really feels like you’re under the water.”

Another favourite is Shipwrecked. Natasha Isaacs (Google Reviews) describes it as “masterfully designed, with intricately crafted clues that were both intellectually stimulating and immensely enjoyable to solve. The creativity behind each puzzle was truly impressive.” 

She also says that it was a “wonderfully collaborative experience that brought our group together in the most engaging way.”

There’s rooms inspired by your favourite movies and series. Image: HintHunt

“RIGHT BALANCE OF CHALLENGE & EXCITEMENT”

That’s what Bambilula (Google reviews) says about Marble, HintHunt’s newest game. You’re recruited by a superhero agency to save the city. Think Iron Man’s lab, with sleek white walls, high-tech gadgets, moving screens, and even a Marble agent feeding you clues on an iPad, Jarvis-style.

Designed by set creators who’ve worked on major international TV shows, the room cranks up the realism and drops you straight into the Marvel universe. 

It’s an exciting challenge for the whole family. “I went with my 6-year-old sister, parents, and fiancé, and was so impressed with how family-friendly the experience was,” says Bambilula. “The room was beautifully designed, and full of clever puzzles and surprises.”

Players have 75 minutes to escape Marble. Image: HintHunt

“BEST TEAM BUILDING OF THE YEAR”

HintHunt can host up to 54 players in one session, making it ideal for big groups. Companies like Pep Africa and Ten Group have used the games for corporate events and team days.

For Lisa Deglon (Google reviews), it was also a hit. “I organised one for my work colleagues and it was the best attended and most enjoyed event of the year.”

“Working together as a team really helps, and that is what it is all about. Definitely an amazing choice for team building,” says Aakifah Potgieter (Google reviews). 

HintHunt can host up to 54 players in one session, making it a treat for team building. Image: HintHunt

DISCOVER SIGHTS YOU “NEVER KNEW EXISTED”

HintHunt isn’t only about escape rooms. There’s outdoor challenges too. Amazing Race takes you through the V&A Waterfront, where teams solve clues, tackle challenges, and race to the finish, just like the TV series. There’s even Premium and Premium Plus options with activities like kayaking or cocktail mixing during HintHunt’s Amazing Race. 

Lauren Maker (Google reviews) says it was interactive and brought “so much history, nature and art into the questions and clues.” 

For Marylynne Hoarau (Google reviews), it was a family highlight: “Oldest seventy-eight, youngest fifteen… following the clues and discovering sights we never knew existed made it even more interesting.” 

The Amazing Race is a great way to discover hidden nooks around the V&A Waterfront. Image: HintHunt

ONLINE GAMES “ARE A RUSH”

There are online team adventures at HintHunt, too. All you need is a phone and data. 

Melanie N.P (Tripadvisor) has tried them all: “All are really enjoyable and I would definitely recommend it for the thrill and rush.”  Those further apart can even team up over video call for Cold Case.

Online games are ideal for friends and teams that live and work remotely or across various cities. Image: HintHunt

“SERVICE THAT WILL HAVE ME COMING BACK” 

There’s so many rave reviews about the team’s service. 

“They are incredibly welcoming throughout the entire experience,” says Melissa Reyneke (Google reviews).

And Mandy Harries (Google reviews), who booked a birthday experience for her son and his friends, says the staff even allowed her to spectate in the room to make sure she was comfortable. “Being able to sit in the room and feel the excitement was a gift I will forever cherish.” She adds: “It’s the type of service that will have me coming back to complete all the other rooms.”

The staff also make sure teams feel supported without giving too much away. Fanie Potgieter (Google reviews) says their host gave hints at just the right time, “without feeling like he was holding our hand the whole time.”

You can buy cool merch at HintHunt’s offices in the Watershed. Image: HintHunt

BOOK A HINTHUNT ESCAPE ROOM  

HintHunt Africa is open: Monday to Thursday, 10am to 7.30pm; Friday to Saturday, 10am to 8.30pm; and Sunday, 10am to 5.30pm
Find it: Watershed, 17 Dock Road, V&A Waterfront
Book: Via HintHunt’s website
Cost: Starts from R395 per person in a team of 6
Contact on: 021 001 4215, capetown@hinthunt.co.za

By Saarah Gierdien

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