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Sustainable wellness in the Eastern Cape
St Francis Health Centre, Port Alfred
St Francis Health Centre in Port Alfred
© St Francis Health Centre
Did you know?
Port Alfred is the location of the 43 Air School, where a number of international airlines train their pilots.
The St Francis Health Centre is situated on the Eastern Cape’s Sunshine Coast in the charming town of Port Alfred mid-way between East London and Port Elizabeth. This wellness facility has adopted the philosophy that good health is not a luxury but a necessity and here visitors will experience a range of treatments as well as learn about sustainable health practices geared towards long-term health.
This Port Alfred health resort advocates the activation of natural self healing and balance and strives, through its therapies, for renewed connections between the mind, body and soul. Anneliese Cowley is the director and holistic health consultant at St Franics Health Centre. Through her training in kinesiology, homeopathy and naturopathy, Cowley is effective in getting to the source of emotional and physical ailments. She has built up a local and international following of clients who visit the centre time and again for its detoxification programmes.
Set on a 330-hectare farm between the Riet and Kleinemonde Rivers, this Eastern Cape health and wellness facility is situated in a tranquil region of the Eastern Cape and is the perfect place to exhale and concentrate on health and wellness goals. Here, you can experience acupuncture, treatments to stop smoking, shiatsu massages, a flotation tank, polarity and colon hydro therapies.
A typical St Francis Health Care programme is a 6-day course running from a Sunday afternoon to Saturday mid-day. There are also 10-day and 2-week programmes, beginning on Sundays or Wednesdays. Participants take part in a daily aquarobics class and make use of the steambath and passive toner. They also participate in bicycle and rebounder exercises, and receive one of 3 therapies – massage, aromatherapy or reflexology.
Guests can explore a labyrinth on the property and walks in the grounds and along the river are a good option. There is a vegetarian menu only and the kitchen uses only the freshest ingredients from surrounding areas. Says Cowley: 'Health is more than just the absence of disease, it’s an embracing of life.'
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
St Francis Health Centre:
Tel: 046 -6250927
Fax: 046 6250953
E-mail: naturecure@imaginet.co.za
Port Alfred Tourism Office
Tel : 046 624 1235
Fax : 046 624 4139
E-mail: tourism@ndlambe.co.za
How to get here
Port Alfred is located 150km from both Port Elizabeth and East London on the R72. St Francis Health Centre will arrange to collect guests who fly in to either of these cities.
Around the area
There are some 30 game parks within reachable distance of Port Alfred. Among them are the Sibuya Game Reserve on the Kariega Estuary; the Mansfield Reserve, which is home to rare cycads and game; the Kariega Game Reserve above the Kariega River Valley and the Nduna Game Reserve.
Tours to do
Tours in and around Port Alfred can be booked at the town’s local tourism office.
Get around
Hire your own car if you'd like to take advantage of sightseeing in the area.
What will it cost
Packages vary according to specific needs and change from season to season. Please call or contact via email to enquire about special package rates.
Length of stay
A 6-day course is the average length of stay.
What to eat
The health centre serves a vegetarian menu. Please let the establishment know of any special dietary needs before arrival.