It is true that in Africa there is usually plently of manpower available to assist less mobile guests. It is also true that an African safari is, by its very nature, an adventure. However, the prospect of paying a lot of money for a holiday only to have to rely on help to reach the dining room, or worse, the bathroom, is enough to put many travellers off. In addition, to discover that the rooms of others on the trip are not 'visitable' limits the enjoyment and reduces potential word-of-mouth advertising. It is not only fair that we should all have the chance to go on safari, it is in Africa's own best interests to open its doors - literally - to everyone!

Please consider these points:

• It is not expensive - making one (or several) accessible rooms/tents does not have to be difficult or expensive. In fact, if the accessibility is planned at the design stage then new constructions can be fully accessible at practically no extra cost. Also, considering the current lack of inclusive safari accommodation in Africa, it adds value to the property.
  
• It can look good - an accessible room does not need to look like a hospital. Using similar materials to those in other rooms, support rails and other features can blend perfectly with the theme of the accommodation.
• You are not losing rooms - everyone can use accessible accommodation. Also, more seniors are going on adventurous holidays and many of these travellers appreciate easier access. Indeed, a safari, by its sedentary nature (often it doesn't involve more than getting from hotel rooms and tents to vehicles), is ideally suited to less mobile people.

The following guidelines are by no means exhaustive, and do not follow any official code or national requirement to the letter, but they do give a basic idea of what is needed. To make it easier, think of it as common sense with some standard measurements. If you wish to know official detailed specifications, or ideas of where to obtain equipment and materials in Africa, please contact me.

Remember! Everybody's needs are different. If your property has some
features, but not all, then this is already useful.

Please note: If you make changes to your property following these guidelines, it does not mean that it is instantly 'fully accessible' to everyone. It is wise only to advertise the features you have and it is then the responsibility of the traveller to decide whether or not these suit their needs.

ACCESS ROUTES

All public areas (from vehicle parking, through reception to accommodation, lifts, dining rooms incl. buffet, swimming pools, jetties, waterhole and game-viewing areas) should be accessible via at least one access route, which conforms to the following:

• No narrower than 90 cm, or 80 cm at doorways.
• All-weather surfaces, smooth enough to comfortably push a wheelchair yet not polished and slippery (embed traction material like sand in painted floors).
• Gaps between wooden boardwalk planks no wider than 5mm.
• Any steps avoided by using ramps and slopes, and these should ideally be 1:20 and no steeper than 1:12 (note, temporary ramps are unsightly and rarely as safe as permanent ones).
• Ramps longer than 200 cm should have handrails on at least one side and should have a "lip" several cm high to keep front wheels from rolling over the edge.
• Ramped paths leading to doorways should have a level area of 100cmx170cm at the top (next to the door) to allow a wheelchair user to open the door comfortably.
• No tripping hazards & obstacles (e.g. water hoses, electric cables).
• Regular seating (preferably under shade) for people who have difficulty walking.
• Good outside lighting on pathways and highly visible signs and navigation aids indicating accessible routes.

DOORWAYS

• Usable space minimum 80 cm, preferably 90 cm wide (this is from the face of open door to opposite door frame, NOT the total width of the door frame).
• Any doorway threshold should be flat, or if raised, be no more than 2 cm high and should have bevelled (rounded) edges.
• Doors should open and close easily and door handles should be usable by people who lack strong grip (lever handles rather than round handles are preferable).
• Doors should not swing into small spaces like bathrooms or narrow hallways.

BEDROOMS - ideally, at least one fully accessible room per 25 rooms

• Accessible rooms should be close to reception and other main areas.
• A clear space at least 80 cm wide next to bed to allow a wheelchair alongside.
• Bed should not slide easily on floor as this impedes wheelchair transfers.
• Top of mattress between 40 cm and 60 cm from floor (blocks can be used to temporarily raise a bed, but nothing simple can be done to lower one).
• Telephone (or whistle or hooter) and light switch within reach of someone in bed. Deaf people use telephone with visible or vibrating alert.
• Ideally, mosquito net 80 cm wider than bed all around, allowing unhurried transfer from wheelchair.
• Writing desk to have least 70 cm clearance from floor, or blocks available to bring it to this height.
  

BATHROOMS

Toilet

• Clear space of at least 80 cm beside or in front of toilet (preferably both) for a wheelchair to allow the user to transfer.
• At least one horizontal support rail beside the toilet, between 80 cm and 95 cm from the floor. This must be strong enough to be used as support yet hinged to easily swing up against the wall (otherwise it can block the transfer area).
• Toilet seat should be between 40 cm and 50 cm from floor (not placed on raised platform), have strong hinges (preferably metal) and be U-shaped (open at front) rather than O-shaped (closed at the front) to allow hand access underneath.
• Flush controls & toilet paper within easy reach for someone seated on toilet.
• Bidets or bidet hoses operable for people with weak grip.

Washbasin

• A minimum of 70 cm knee clearance from floor and a maximum top surface height of 90 cm.
• Clear space beneath sink allowing forward access for user's legs, and shield any hot water pipes to prevent burns.
  
• Lever or push taps, instead of the standard 'grip and twist' type.
• Lower edge of mirrors no higher than 100 cm from the floor (tilting a higher mirror has the same effect)

Bath

• Clear space at least 80 cm wide alongside bath for wheelchair user.
• Bath rim 40-50 cm from floor & wide enough to allow balance during a transfer.
• Secure seat in the bath or sitting area at the end opposite the taps.
• A space large enough to place one's hand flat against the rim at the ends of the bath opposite the taps to lift oneself out.
• Support rail no more than 30 cm above bath opposite transfer area.
• Lever or push taps (instead of the standard 'grip and twist' type) mounted on one end of bath (not on a long side).
• If bath is combined with shower, shower head to be hand-held type.

Shower

• Roll-in shower with flat entrance or lip no greater than 2 cm. Alternatively, whole bathroom floor made drainable by gently sloping floor leading into shower (keeping the entrance doorway level).
• Secure seat in washing area, 40-50 cm from floor with 80 cm clear space next to it for wheelchair
• At least one support rail on opposite wall, less than 50 cm from centre of seat.
• Hand-held ('telephone') shower head, with wall mounting unit and controls within reach from a seated position in the shower.
• Lever or push taps instead of the standard 'grip and twist' type.

DINING AREAS

• Tables should have at least 70 cm clearance from floor, or blocks available to bring them to this height.
• Tables with fixed seating (picnic tables) can be made wheelchair accessible if the ends of the table are 70cm from the floor and have 40cm horizontal clear space under them for the user's legs.
• Buffet area on same level or with gently ramped access (no steeper than 1:12).

SWIMMING POOLS

• Lift or gradually sloped 'roll-in' entrance with non-slip surface is ideal for full-time wheelchair users to enter pool.
• Gradual steps with hand rail as opposed to wall mounted ladders are easier for everybody, but especially for people who have difficulty walking.
• Sitting area and hand rail around the inside edge of the pool.

GENERAL

• All accessible rooms to be uncluttered and have a clear space (not including space for doors to open) of at least 100 cm x 70 cm.
• All light switches, thermostat, fan and air conditioning controls, cupboards and storage space, towel rails, telephones and door handles should be less than 140 cm from the floor and approachable in a wheelchair.
• Switches should not require fine finger movements (turning or twisting). Push buttons are ideal.
• Have a wheelchair and a commode/shower chair on site.
• Have an accessible public toilet in each public area.
• Consider visual impairments with menus, room signage and other written information.
• Have an emergency evacuation plan - register guests as disabled and inform all shifts of staff so they are prepared to assist. Include ways to alert deaf and blind guests.