Embark on a breathtaking Four-day Tour from Cape Town to the Garden Route, exploring some of the most picturesque regions in South Africa. The tour will showcase the natural beauty of the Western and Southern Cape regions, including the iconic Garden Route, along with clinical training sites of Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town. The tour will provide an immersive experience, highlighting the natural wonders and cultural heritage of the region, as well as health professional training in these areas.

Sunday, 15 September to Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Cost: US$600 per registered delegate
Mode of travel: Semi Luxury minibus
Co-facilitated by SU and UCT.

TWO OPTIONS for the Cape Town to Garden Route tour are available, each with different routes.

Option 1: The inland adventure route will take you on a unique and exciting journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Western Cape through popular tourist destinations such as Worcester, Robertson, Barrydale and Knysna.
Option 2: takes you through the scenic coastal route, passing through popular tourist destinations such as Hermanus, Mossel Bay, and Knysna.

 

OPTION 1 Via Worcester and Route 62

Departure: Sunday, 15 September @ 09:00 from University of the Western Cape
Arrival: Wednesday, 18 September @ 20:00 at University of the Western Cape

Travel with us on Route 62 that links Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.
First travel through the longest tunnel in South Africa passing picturesque vineyards enroute to Worcester on the N1. A visit to the Worcester campus and health facilities and leaving to travel through Robertson (we might stop to taste the wine of the region). Lunch in the rural town of Barrydale located on the border of the Overberg and Klein Karoo regions of the Western Cape Province in South Africa.
Spend a relaxing night with plenty to eat at De Opstal guest farm https://www.deopstal.co.za/. In Oudtshoorn we will wake up to the sounds of birds on this beautiful guest farm and enjoy a farm breakfast before we visit the iconic Cango Caves. We will visit local health facilities and engage with the health professional staff. Then its back on the Cape Route 62 to Knysna for yet another adventure. In Knysna you will experience this coastal town as you meander through the streets with all its quaint shops, and have lunch at one of the restaurants, with the option of a ferry boat tour to the Knysna Heads and Estuary @ your own cost. A visit to local health facilities will follow. After such a full day we will drive to George, a renowned golfing destination to check in at the hotel with a warm meal waiting. Day 3 will be spent visiting various Non-Profit Organisations and the health facilities in George. In the afternoon all delegates will have a joint reflection sharing the experiences across both groups. On day 4 we will leave George and travel to the coastal town of Mossel Bay for a quick visit before making our way to Hermanus for some whale watching and exploration. This is the final leg of the tour as we make our way back to the University of the Western Cape.

 

OPTION 2 via Hermanus

Departure: Sunday, 15 September @ 09:00 from University of the Western Cape
Arrival: Wednesday, 18 September @ 20:00 at University of the Western Cape

Our journey takes you over the scenic Sir Lowry’s Pass where on a clear day you can see False Bay before you enter Grabouw, an agricultural area well known for its apples and pears. Driving past quaint farmstalls and through the Houwhoek Pass we will make our way to the Whale watching capital, Hermanus.
In Hermanus you will have the opportunity to engage with Stellenbosch University medical students completing their final year at the Hermanus Hospital. We will have time to meander through this picturesque town to look for whales in the bay and if we are lucky, we could see a mother and her calf swimming by. In Mossel Bay, we take an overnight break, falling asleep to the sound of the ocean. Bright and early, we visit various health facilities before making our way to Knysna to explore this unique coastal town. Protected by the Knysna heads this estuary teems with wildlife. You have the option of going on a boat trip to the heads while others explore this beautiful town, before visiting local health facilities.
After an exciting day we drive to George for a hearty meal and a good night’s rest. While in George, a town known for its golf courses, we meet other delegates on the tour, visit various health facilities and Non-Governmental Organisations. In the afternoon of day 3, all delegates will have a joint reflection sharing the experiences across both groups.
On day four we drive inland to Oudtshoorn on the famous Route 62. A visit to the Cango Caves is planned with lunch in Barrydale, located on the border of the Overberg and Klein Karoo regions of the Western Cape Province in South Africa. We make our way to Cape Town via Worcester before the last leg of our trip to the University of the Western Cape