South Africa has, in general, become much more aware of travellers with special requirements and most major attractions and facilities across the country can be counted on to accommodate visitors with disabilities.
Visitor attractions:
Major attractions, airports, service stations, public buildings, game reserves and shopping centres have appropriate access, ablution facilities and parking.
South African National Parks' camps and visitor destinations, for example, provide ramped access into their main facilities. In many cases, accessible public ablution facilities are provided, including those at the camping sites. Many short trails also have Braille-interpretation plaques.
There are also selected units in many of the camps that have been adapted for use by mobility impaired guests (people in wheelchairs, using crutches, with prams, with frailty or reduced energy levels).
If you have specific accessibility requirements, your best bet is to request appropriate accommodation when you make a booking.
Most visitor facilites at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden are wheelchair friendly. However, it is set on a very steep slope and not all areas of the garden are accessible. There are parking bays for the physically challenged at the main gates.
Making it simpler
Compiled by an
occupational therapist, Disabled Travel lists facilities, accommodation and restaurants
that have been evaluated with travellers with special needs in mind. Especially useful
are the photographs of the facilities' bathrooms.
This is just a few of many places in South Africa which is
disabled friendly:
Kgalagadi Camping sites
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape
Twee
Rivieren and Nossob The environment in the camping sites is very sandy and
uneven, especially in Nossob. Power points are available. Level access and
paved area at the Nossob ablution. Paved ramp and no landing at the door of
Twee Rivieren bathroom. Spacious bathroom for manoeuvring of wheelchair. Doors
open to the inside. No bath available. Open space roll-in shower with a
standard taps and large shower seat with height of 490 mm. In Nossob shower the
adjustable shower head and tap is situated behind the seat. Height of
adjustable shower in Twee Rivieren is 1120 mm. No horizontal grab rails. Leg
space of 710 mm underneath the basin with standard taps and mirror within
reach. No shelf present. Adequate space next to the toilet for side-ways
transfer. Measurement from wall to front of toilet is 690 mm and height of
toilet seat is 470 mm. Height of wall grab rail in Twee Rivieren is 820 mm and
cistern rail is 520 mm. No wall grab rail within reach in Nossob. Height of
cistern rail is 770 mm.
Self-catering
Chalet no.427
Upington, Northern Cape No access to reception with 3 steps at the entrance. A
ramp will be provided in the near future. Access to the undercover patio of the
chalet via a suitable ramp from the paved parking area. Level access to the
chalet from the patio. Level access to the kitchen and barbecue facilities on
the patio.
Width of entrance
to spacious bedroom is 900 mm. Height of bed is 640 mm. Leg space of 770 mm at
the desk. Bedroom cupboard and lowered hang rail within reach. Adequate space
in bathroom for manoeuvring of wheelchair. Width of entrance is 740 mm. No bath
available. Roll-in shower with large shower chair. The adjustable shower head
with lever taps is located on the opposite wall. No grab rails within reach of
the seat. Width of shower is 1020 mm. Leg space of 720 mm underneath the small
basin with lever taps. Shelf and mirror within reach. Adequate space next to
the toilets for side-ways transfer. Measurement from wall to front of toilet is
760 mm and height of toilet seat is 470 mm. Height of grab rail is 815 mm.
Restaurant has 3 steps at the main entrance. Side entrance access via a ramp
and gravel area.
Courtyard Port
Elizabeth Hotel
Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Access to the main entrance via a
small step from the designated parking bay. One flight of stairs between
reception and the rest of the hotel facilities. Access to hotel facilities via
outdoor, undercover ramp and pathway.
Access to the outdoor room in covered
walkway via a threshold ramp. Spacious bedroom with access to the cupboards and
lowered hang rail. Height of bed is 560 mm. Leg space of 690 mm at the desk.
Adequate space in bathroom for manoeuvring of wheelchair. Sliding door access.
Height of bath is 500 mm. Roll-in shower with a handheld shower and overhead
shower. Height of large shower seat is 520 mm. Width of entrance is 720 mm and
door opens to the inside. Leg space of 840 mm underneath the basin with lever
tap and vanity shelf. Mirror not within reach. Adequate space next to the toilet
for side-ways transfer. Measurement from wall to front of toilet is 860 mm and
height of toilet seat is 490 mm. Grab rails not within reach. One threshold
step at wheelchair entrance to lounge, dining room and bar. Access to the patio
via the ramped pathway. Four steps to access the pool and garden.
Addo Elephant National Park Main Camp
Addo, Eastern Cape
Chalets Access from the tarred parking bay to the chalet via a slight downhill
pathway and ramp Access to the cottage via the patio. One step at the entrance
of the cottage. Limited space in bathroom for maneuvering of wheelchair.
Roll-in shower with limited space, collapsible seat, adjustable shower handle
and a grab rail for transfer.
The shower handle
and tap are not within reach of the seat. Space available next to the toilet
for transfer. The grab rails are placed above the level of the cistern and the
basin. Adequate space next to the bath for transfer on the opposite side of the
regular taps. Leg space underneath the basin with lever taps. No mirror or
shelf available at the basin. Adequate space in the bedroom with cupboards
within reach. Assistance is needed to use this facility. Not recommended for
motorised chairs.
Olifants Camp No. 76
Limpopo - Kruger National Park, Limpopo
Bungalow no. 76 Unit: BG2Z Access to the main buildings, two bungalows and
parking areas via ramps and paved pathways. Spacious bathroom for manoeuvring
of wheelchair. No bath available. Adequate space next to the toilet for
side-ways transfer. Measurement from wall to front of toilet is 660 mm and
height of toilet seat is 510 mm. Grab rail not within reach of seat. Large
roll-in shower with a lever tap and adjustable shower head. Height of large
shower seat is 450 mm. Overhead shower present. Leg space of 720 mm underneath
the basin with lever taps. Height of shelf is 840 mm. No mirror within reach.
Width of space in front of basin is 950 mm. Adequate space in bedroom with
access to cupboard and lowered hang rail. Height of bed is 510 mm. Access
available to the kitchen facilities on the veranda. Height of kitchen shelf is
900 mm. Communal cooking facilities available. Access available to the
restaurant, shop and patio. Access to the River View lookout point via a
pathway.
Mopani Camp No. 17, 65
SANParks, Limpopo - Kruger National Park, Limpopo
Bungalows no. 17, 65 (Code BD4Z) Level access to the main buildings and the 2
bungalows from the paved pathways and parking areas. Sliding door and adequate
space in bathroom for manoeuvrings of wheelchair. Adequate space next to the
toilet for side-ways transfer. Measurement from wall to front of toilet is 750
mm and height of toilet seat is 440 mm. Height of wall grab rail is 800 mm.
Roll-in shower with regular taps and adjustable shower handle not within reach
of seat. Height of seat is 450 mm and width of shower is 1040 mm. No bath
available. Leg space of 640 mm underneath the basin with lever taps and mirror
within reach. No shelf available. Adequate space in main bedroom with access to
cupboard. No lowered hang rail. Height of bed is 480 mm. Bunk bed available in
alcove. Access available to the kitchen facilities on the veranda. Height of
kitchen shelf is 920 mm. Leg space of 710 mm underneath the dining table.
Access available to the restaurant, shop and patio. One small step to the bar.
Access to Pioneer Dam bird hide.
Know me for my ABILITIES, not my DISABILITIES
Know me for my abilities, not my disability.
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