Heart of Cape Town Museum Visit: A Tribute to the First Successful Heart Transplant

Immerse yourself in medical history at the Heart of Cape Town Museum, showcasing the world’s first successful heart transplant in fully restored original operating rooms. Book a tour now!

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Heart of Cape Town Museum - Celebrate one of the greatest moments in medical history at the Heart of Cape Town Museum
  • a museum dedicated to the world’s first successful heart transplant. Visitors experience the drama of that moment in the fully restored, original operating rooms laid out as they were on the day of the operation. The medical…
What's Included
  • Guided tour
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Celebrate one of the greatest moments in medical history at the Heart of Cape Town Museum – a museum dedicated to the world’s first successful heart transplant. Visitors experience the drama of that moment in the fully restored, original operating rooms laid out as they were on the day of the operation.
Highlights
• Museum dedicated to the world’s first…

Location
Heart of Cape Town Museum
Main Road, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(18 Ratings)
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Hansrudi_b
May 2, 2025
A Must See - Exceptional! Gide was well educated and communicated well with audience. She made the experience memorable
Review provided by Viator
Raman_g
May 2, 2025
Exceptional - An exceptional experience. An inspirational visit. Must visit. Excellent tour guide. Check timing of tours and visit with a guided tour. Guided tour is no extra cost. Guided tour 1 and half hours. Post that you can spend more time on your own. Post the tour read a few more of the Exhibits.
Review provided by Viator
Elise_c
Apr 3, 2025
An emotional journey back in time. - Well worth a visit. It was very emotional for my husband because one of the surgeons assisting during the first heart transplant had flown over to England to perform a lifesaving heart operation on him back in 1966. But even for the uninvolved it's a super, insightful experience. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
Ayeshal39
Mar 3, 2025
Simple and effective - A chronicle of the first human heart transplant with historical video and demonstrative set-up. Simple and effective.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thomasgm5523bn
May 18, 2024
Wonderful experience - hidden gem - Exceptional experience - well presented and super interesting. Only people there and guide was amazing. I could have stayed longer - lots to read and appreciate.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_m
Dec 13, 2023
Excellent tour given by a... - Excellent tour given by a very knowledgeable tour guide. The reproductions are vivid and authentic. We learned a lot about what went before, and after the first heart transplant, and about Dr. Christian Barnard, the good and excessive enjoyment of his celebrity.
Review provided by Viator
Attila_d
Jul 7, 2023
Excellent - Excellent, definitely worth to see. The staff is very generous and kind. Highly recommend! Thanks for everything.
Review provided by Viator
Grandtour531683
May 19, 2023
Christian Barnard story and museum - Fantastic, highly recommend but you have to get transport, I used Uba. A tour guild takes you thru, you will probably have the company of medical students
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Valerie_l
Oct 29, 2023
If you have an interest... - If you have an interest in medicine it is a way to go back in medical history and understand how it all started with Christiaan Barnard. Not a touristic place so I liked it as a first discovery of Cape Town.
Review provided by Viator
Lynne_l
Jan 17, 2023
The heart of cape town... - The heart of cape town museum is an amazing experience, a must see. However DO NOT TRUST VIATOR to do the booking for you. They reserved a day when the museum was closed and did not inform the facility of our booking. This is the second time Viator was irresponsible for our bookings. I will not use them again. However, please go to the Heart of Capetown museum. It was fantastic as was Cindy the direct.
Review provided by Viator
From $17
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).