The tour-guiding component of the business was established with the aim of offering tourists an alternative to the glossy, pre-packaged "bus window" view of South Africa.

Calabash Tours is a young, dynamic company that offers grounding-breaking tours covering both the historical heart of the city, the vibrant black townships and the Xhosa culture. The "Real City Tour" gives an overview of the social history of the city.

Calabash Tours is a commercial venture with a strong social agenda that is founded on developing the communities that guests visit. Working closely with the Calabash Trust, Calabash ensures that local, and often-disadvantaged communities benefit from the visits made by clients through services provided either by community projects or black owned township businesses.