Tours Now Open for SAIP2026 Delegates!
Tour Summary
See below the table for individual tour details
| TOUR | VENUE | DATE | TIME | PRICE (pp) | SIGN-UP FORM | DEADLINE TO SIGN-UP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour to iThemba LABS | iThemba LABS | 6 July | 14:15 - 18:00 | R120.00 | FORM | Wed, 1 July 2026 |
| Evening Tour to SAAO | South African Astronomical Observatory | 9 July | 17:40 - 22:00 | R180.00 | FORM | Wed, 1 July 2026 |
| Historical Tour of UWC Campus | Meeting Point: JG main Entrance steps | 6 July | 15:00 - 17:30 | FREE | FORM | Thurs, 1 July 2026 |
| Brief Tour of historical UWC Sites (2 options) | Meeting Point: JG main Entrance steps | 8 July OR 9 July | 17:40 - 18:25 | FREE | FORM | Wednesday, 08 July 2026 at 16:00 |
| Guided Walk in UWC Nature Reserve (2 options) | UWC Nature Reserve | 7 July OR 9 July | 12:40 - 13:40 (includes packed lunch) | FREE | FORM | Fri, 3 July 2026 |
All tours have limited capacity. Participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis.
** Please note that, due to insufficient participant numbers, we have unfortunately had to cancel the SANSA Day Tour.
Tour to iThemba LABS
Location: iThemba LABS (~45 mins drive from UWC)
Date: Monday, 6 July 2026
Time: 14:15 - 18:00 SAST
Tour Duration: ~2 hours
Tour Price: *R120.00
*Price includes return transport from UWC to iThemba LABS, and a 2-hour tour of facilities by iThemba LABS staff. Payment link will be provided to confirmed participants
To sign up, please fill out the following form : [SIGN-UP LINK HERE]
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Deadline to sign-up is now Wed, 1 July 2026, at 17:00 SAST.
Please note, spaces for this iThemba LABS tour are limited, and participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis. This tour is also subject to a minimum number of participants. Should this minimum not be reached by the sign-up deadline, the tour may be cancelled.
Tour Description:
iThemba LABS offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore Africa's leading accelerator-based science facility and gain insight into the cutting-edge research taking place there. The tour showcases the world-class infrastructure that supports advances in nuclear physics, materials science, and nuclear medicine, including the facility's flagship 200-MeV Separated Sector Cyclotron. Delegates will learn how particle accelerators are used to investigate the fundamental properties of matter, produce medical radioisotopes for diagnosis and treatment, and train the next generation of scientists and technicians. As a key component of South Africa's national research landscape, iThemba LABS demonstrates how scientific innovation and investment in human capital contribute to societal benefit and technological advancement.
Evening Tour to SAAO
Location: South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) (~30 mins drive from UWC)
Date: Thursday, 9 July 2026
Time: 17:40 – 22:00 SAST
Tour Duration: ~2 hours
Tour Price: *R180.00
*Price includes return transport from UWC to SAAO, light packed meal, talk by an SAAO astronomer, site tour, and star-gazing (weather permitting). Payment link will be provided to confirmed participants.
To sign up, please fill out the following form : [SIGN-UP LINK HERE]
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Deadline to sign-up is now Wed, 1 July 2026, at 17:00 SAST.
Please note, spaces for this SAAO tour are limited, and participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis. This tour is also subject to a minimum number of participants. Should this minimum not be reached by the sign-up deadline, the tour may be cancelled.
Tour Description:
The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), founded in 1820 as the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, is South Africa's oldest scientific institution and the national centre for optical and infrared astronomy. This evening tour offers delegates the opportunity to explore the historic Observatory campus in Cape Town and discover South Africa's rich astronomical heritage and its ongoing contributions to global research. The experience begins with an engaging presentation on astronomy or a related scientific topic, providing insight into current discoveries and the work of astronomers today.
Delegates will then enjoy a guided tour of the Observatory grounds, including visits to the SAAO library, museum, and the historic 120-year-old McClean Telescope. Weather permitting, participants will also have the opportunity to observe the night sky through the McClean and additional smaller telescopes. Combining history, science, and stargazing, this tour promises a memorable evening at one of South Africa's most significant scientific landmarks.
Guests are kindly advised to wear closed-toe shoes and warm clothing when attending the tour. As parts of the experience involve walking between locations, we recommend being prepared for varying weather conditions. In the event of rain, please bring along a raincoat or umbrella to ensure your comfort throughout the tour.
Historical Tour of UWC Campus
Location: UWC Campus (tour by bus and by foot)
Date: Monday, 6 July 2026
Time: 15:00 - 17:30 SAST
Tour Price: FREE
To sign up, please fill out the following form : [SIGN-UP LINK HERE]
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Deadline to sign-up is now Thurs, 2 July 2026, at 17:00 SAST.
Please note, spaces for this tour are limited, and participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis.
Tour Description:
Founded in 1960, UWC has a rich history rooted in South Africa’s struggle for freedom and social justice. Originally established by the apartheid government for so-called “Coloured” students, the university evolved into a critical intellectual hub for anti-apartheid resistance. Today, UWC stands as a leading institution committed to academic excellence, transformation and social justice. This tour explores UWC's fascinating and vibrant history.
The tour will visit the following sites:
- The first UWC university building in Kasselsvlei road Bellville - Historical importance - The first building UWC operated out of before moving to its current location
- The Senate Building - Historical importance - The old coloured affairs parliament building
- Life Sciences Building - Historical importance - The jewel in the crown of natural science buildings in Africa
- Old UWC Main entrance gate - Historical importance - The first and original entrance gate to UWC main campus
- Old Education Faculty building - Historical importance - The oldest building on main campus
- The New Education Faculty building - Historical importance - The newest building on campus
- And the Quad/University Square - Historical importance -
- Includes the UWC symbolic statue
- UWC Library
- And the Alumni legacy pyramid
Brief Tour of Historical UWC Sites
Location: Meeting Point: JG main Entrance steps
OPTION 1 Date: Wednesday, 8 July 2026
OPTION 2 Date: Thursday, 9 July 2026
Time: 17:40 - 18:25 SAST
Tour Price: FREE
To sign up, please fill out the following form : [SIGN-UP LINK HERE]
Please note, spaces for this tour are limited, and participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis.
Tour Description:
Founded in 1960, UWC has a rich history rooted in South Africa’s struggle for freedom and social justice. Originally established by the apartheid government for so-called “Coloured” students, the university evolved into a critical intellectual hub for anti-apartheid resistance. Today, UWC stands as a leading institution committed to academic excellence, transformation and social justice. This brief tour explores some of UWC's fascinating and vibrant history.
The tour will visit the following sites:
- Mayibuye archives - Historical importance - Multiple apartheid historical pictures can be viewed and seen.
- The Jakes Gerwel Hall - Historical importance - Named after a former VC and the venue of our Graduation Ceremonies
- The Quad/University Square -
- Historical importance -
-
- Includes the UWC symbolic statue
- UWC Library
- And the Alumni legacy pyramid
Guided Walk in UWC Nature Reserve
Location: UWC Nature Reserve
OPTION 1 Date: Tuesday, 7 July 2026
OPTION 2 Date: Thursday, 9 July 2026
Time: 12:40 - 13:40 SAST
*This tour includes a packed lunch to enjoy on the tour.
Tour Price: FREE
To sign up, please fill out the following form : [SIGN-UP LINK HERE]
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Deadline to sign-up is now Friday 3 July 2026, at 17:00 SAST.
Please note, spaces for this tour are limited, and participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis.
Guests are kindly advised to wear comfortable closed-toe shoes as this is a walking tour in the reserve.
Tour Description:
The University of the Western Cape Nature Reserve offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience one of Cape Town’s most remarkable conservation areas, located entirely within a university campus. Established in 1977 and recognised as a Provincial Heritage Site, the 34-hectare reserve occupies almost a quarter of the UWC campus and serves as a living classroom for ecological teaching, environmental education and research. Guided walks through the reserve reveal the vital role it plays in reconnecting people with nature and fostering an appreciation for the region’s extraordinary biodiversity and conservation heritage.
Delegates will explore a landscape where three distinct ecosystems – wetlands, dune systems and flatlands – support an impressive diversity of life, including more than 220 plant species and over 100 recorded bird species. The reserve protects two of the Cape Floristic Region’s most threatened vegetation types: the endangered Cape Flats Dune Strandveld and the critically endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, ecosystems found nowhere else in the world and increasingly threatened by urban development. Along the reserve’s network of walking trails, visitors may encounter indigenous wildlife such as grysbok, mongoose, Cape dwarf chameleons and a variety of raptors, while gaining insight into the ongoing conservation and restoration efforts that make this urban reserve an important refuge for biodiversity and a valuable centre for scientific discovery.