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Doreen Reinstein
According to a report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, accessibility for tourists with special access requirements could be a game changer for destinations around the world. Africa is no different, and the tourism industry on the continent is increasing its accessibility offerings.
“Africa’s Great Wilderness is becoming more and more accessible to travelers using wheelchairs. We’ve seen a huge demand for lodges that have adapted to the needs of people with disabilities,” said Maija de Rijk-Uy, Managing Director of Go2 Africa.
Emma Perrin, head of sales at DMC Grand Africa Safaris, agreed. She explained that post-Covid, Grand Africa Safaris has seen an increasing number of multi-generational families regularly looking for travel options for relief. She said: “Many families may have a special needs child in their family but are deciding that travel is still a normal part of their lives and are looking for ways to make this a reality.
According to Perrin, many destinations in Africa are beginning to better understand the needs of travelers with disabilities and are renovating and building their lodges.
“I’ve also seen an increase in the number of cars that can be adapted for mobility. More and more lodges are buying wheelchairs for use on site,” she said, adding that many lodges and airlines are ready for travel. And they do everything they can to help. “We’ve had clients who were wheelchair-bound for the duration of their journey and were very comfortable being assisted by light aircraft.”
High score for South Africa
South Africa in particular has raised the bar when it comes to accessible tourism, de Rijk Uys said. She said the country is miles ahead of the rest of the continent in understanding the needs of differently-abled people and having the resources to make the travel experience as comfortable and convenient as possible.
“South Africa’s hotels, tourist attractions, airports and restaurants are very wheelchair-friendly compared to other countries,” said De Ryck Uys. “There is also an extensive medical network in the event of an emergency. Many areas are wheelchair-friendly, such as Table Mountain, which has wheelchair access and a mile-long boardwalk. Some beaches even have ‘beach wheelchairs.’ It can be pushed in.”
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Elizabeth Gordon of Special Travel agrees that South Africa is Africa’s leading disabled travel destination, followed by Botswana. She said: “In South Africa, we can hire special vehicles. Also, many people can help disabled people on the ground. For example, tour guides and hotel staff are always happy to help. Walking/driving places with luggage or lending a hand to get into small planes, etc.
“There has been a huge improvement in accessibility in South Africa over the last 10 years,” says Jenne Bezuidenhout of Access2Africa Safaris. She cited improvements to the International Accessibility Standards Program and the Quadriplegic Association of South Africa, which have ensured accessibility for all, including those with hearing and vision impairments, as well as those with mobility impairments. One example is South Africa’s Liliella Tourism Awards, which now include awards for inclusive tourism, including mobility, hearing and vision awards.
But other countries are also upping their game. According to De Rijk-Uys, many people believe that gorilla trekking is not wheelchair accessible, but the opposite is true. “If there’s one thing Africans know how to do, it’s ‘planning,'” she said. “So is gorilla trekking. Some rangers accommodate wheelchair travelers in special seats, allowing them to experience the excitement and joy of watching gorilla families at play. The chairs are former hunters who now actively participate in the conservation of Africa’s great apes – a truly win-win situation.”
Tips for travel agents
Travel agents interested in booking African vacations for their disabled clients need to look for a number of things, as not every lodge or camp is equipped to provide efficient service for wheelchair users, de Rijk-Uys says.
She recommends looking for the following camps and lodges:
• Not built on a cliff or hill. The shelter built on the side of the mountain can have many steps and many stairs – there is no elevator or elevator in the middle of the forest.
• They are built on flat ground. These are more likely to be on the same level and although they may have a level or two here and there, these are much easier to tackle with a ramp or two strong workers. Fortunately, flatlands can be found in spectacular locations such as riverbanks, open fields or pans.
• Have walkways between tents and cluttered areas. Some campgrounds only have sandy or dirt trails, which can be difficult for wheelchairs. A gravel road can be difficult to navigate. Ask if the lodge has a wooden or paved driveway.
• Outdoor shower. Bathing outside is a safari tradition; Being under the sun or the moon and having nature around you is so much fun. Outdoor showers on board are usually much wider than indoor ones, plus there are no doors or gates for navigation.
• Has 24/7 power. Although solar lights and lamps are very romantic, they can be difficult to manage. Consider choosing a lodge with conventional electricity because this will make your life much easier.
But Hilton Walker, chief marketing officer of Great Plains, points out that accessible tourism isn’t just for wheelchair travelers. A safari can provide an amazing experience for the visually impaired, he said. “Feeling the wind on their face, the smell of the forest and the sounds of the animals around them must surely create a life-changing experience for those guests who have full vision,” he said. “Africans also solve problems, and if there is a guest with different requirements, I’m sure we can find a solution to integrate them into our safari experiences.”
Stakeholders agree that communication is key for anyone who wants to help make Africa a viable holiday destination for everyone. Jim Holden, president of Holden Safaris, said agents making inquiries for clients with mobility issues should have specific and accurate information about each client’s mobility issue, particularly regarding liability. “Sometimes there is a great need to help, but negligence can lead to expensive litigation,” he said.
Cape Town-based Briony Chisholm, an avid traveler with a disability, agrees with Holden that communication is key. In the year Chisholm has been a quadriplegic since breaking her neck in a car accident in 1996 and was featured in Africa Travel Week’s Trend Report. If someone is booking and asking questions about accessibility, it’s important for hotels and agents to ask questions, too, she said.
“Don’t wait for them. Ask what you can do to make their stay more enjoyable, what services they need, what obstacles they face in their journey,” Chisholm said. “Just listen to them and pay attention to what they have to say. And when they ask questions, please be honest in your answers. Don’t underestimate a problem because you don’t understand the challenges that someone else may be facing.”
For Great Plains Walker, it’s about compassion, understanding and a desire to offer the best African experience to anyone.
“Sharing the magic of the safari experience with any guest is unique,” Walker said. “How wonderful it would be if we could change the life of a disabled guest by experiencing the wild and remote moments with our guides — listening, feeling, seeing, tasting. Whether you’re able-bodied or differently-abled, Africa can leave its mark on your soul.”
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