Wheelchair Accessible Safari Small Group Tour to South Africa

I know that planning wheelchair accessible travel can be a pain.  It takes a lot of research and time contacting companies and hotels to truly see if it’s accessible and will meet your needs.  Well, what if you didn’t have to do all the planning!?

You can join me on a wheelchair accessible safari in South Africa and save yourself the hassle of planning your accessible trip.  I’m so excited to meet and travel with you!  This is going to be an incredible once in a lifetime trip to see the wildlife in South Africa. 

Keep reading for all the details!

When is This Wheelchair Accessible Safari?

This small group tour starts on September 1, 2024.  This gives you enough time to save up for the trip and prepare.  It is a 13-day trip and will visit the towns of Cape Town and Johannesburg South Africa. 

This is also one of the best times to travel as it avoids the rainy season and has warm temperatures during the day.

Itinerary

Check out all the amazing things that we will be doing on this trip!  Game drives, looking for the Big 5, up-close animal encounters with animals such as cheetahs, hippos, etc., beautiful scenery and more!

DAY 1 (1ST SEPT 2024) – ARRIVAL IN CAPE TOWN:

You will be transferred from Cape Town International Airport to a hotel or Guest House (to be advised). Rest of the day at leisure. Please advise me of flight details.

Overnight: De Noordhoek Hotel or City Lodge in CPT (to be advised)
Included: Airport transfer & accommodation
Excluded: Lunch, dinner, personal expenses, drinks & tips

DAY 2 (2ND SEPT 2024) – CPT – CITY DRIVE, TABLE MOUNTAIN & WATERFRONT:

We start the day with an orientation drive through the city center of Cape Town – “The Mother City” as it is also known, before we drive to the Cable Car Station of Table Mountain. After an exciting cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain we will explore the different pathways and see Cape Town from a different angle.

On your return we will take a short drive to Signal Hill for another breath-taking view of the magnificent city. Thereafter, depending on time, we continue to the Waterfront where you have the opportunity to ‘shop till you drop’.

There are hundreds of shops, markets, restaurants, bars, the spectacular Ocean Aquarium, boat cruises and you can listen to the many African sounds from various street musicians & performers.

Overnight: De Noordhoek Hotel or City Lodge in CPT (to be advised)
Included: Breakfast, accessible vehicle with driver/guide, Table Mountain cable car & accommodation
Excluded: Lunch, dinner, personal expenses, drinks & tips

DAY 3 (3RD SEPT 2024) – CPT – CAPE POINT & PENGUIN COLONY:

This magnificent full day tour takes us to the majestic meeting place of False Bay and Atlantic Oceans, the most south-westerly point of Africa, which the Explorer Sir Francis Drake called “the fairest Cape that we saw in the whole circumference of the Globe”.

On our way to the Cape, we also visit the Penguin colony at Boulders beach and drive along picturesque coastal roads. After a full day we will return to the Epic Guest House.

Overnight: De Noordhoek Hotel or City Lodge in CPT (to be advised)
Included: Breakfast, accessible vehicle with driver/guide, entrance fees, funicular & accommodation
Excluded: Lunch, dinner, personal expenses, drinks & tips

DAY 4 (4TH SEPT 2024) – CPT – STELLENBOSCH WINELANDS:

The historic town of Stellenbosch, shaded by ancient oak trees, is the center of the winegrowing region.  Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa and is heavily influenced by Dutch architecture.

Overnight: De Noordhoek Hotel or City Lodge in CPT (to be advised)
Included: Breakfast, accessible vehicle with driver/guide, 2 wine tastings & accommodation
Excluded: Lunch, dinner, personal expenses, drinks & tips

DAY 5 (5TH SEPT 2024) – FLIGHT FROM CAPE TOWN TO JOHANNESBURG:

Overnight: City Lodge, Barbara Road
Included: Breakfast, airport transfers x 2 and accommodation
Excluded: Lunch, dinner, personal expenses, drinks & tips

DAY 6 & 7 (6TH & 7TH SEPT 2024) – KRUGER, SKUKUZA CAMP:

From Johannesburg, this day’s journey takes us east through the rolling hills of the Highveld and we lunch en-route to the Kruger National Park. Entering from the South-west where we will spend the first 2 nights at the Main camp Skukuza.

Optional cost night game drive* available on request.

We will spend the next few days in the Kruger National Park. This 2-million-hectare haven is home to the Big Five and many other species of animal, bird and plant. Kruger Park is a premier local and international Game Park, featuring, apart from its excellent camps, wonderful views and tranquil settings.

Overnight: Skukuza camp bungalows
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, entrance fees & accommodation
Excluded: Night game drive, drinks, personal expenses & tips

DAY 8 & 9 (8TH & 9TH SEPT 2024) – KRUGER, SATARA CAMP:

The Park features exciting drives through both dense bush and dry scrub. Whilst in the Park, most of the time will be filled with game viewing on early morning and evening drives, discovering the inner beauty of this memorable park.

This is where you can explore your photographic skills, or even just capture the sight of this incredible variety of wildlife as a memory back home.

Our nights are spent at various main and private camps throughout the park, with nights 3 & 4 in Kruger Park at Satara camp.

Overnight: Satara camp, bungalows
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, entrance fees & accommodation
Excluded: Drinks, personal expenses & tips

DAY 10 – 12 (10TH, 11TH & 12TH SEPT 2024) – PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, TSHUKUDU:

After breakfast and a morning’s game drive we depart Kruger National Park and head to a magnificent Private Game Reserve, world renowned for reintroducing animals to the wild where we spend 3 nights. You can get to know and encounter up close Lions & rhinos at this stunning lodge. Dinner is served in a traditional “Boma” around a blazing fire by us.

Activities during these days include morning and afternoon game drives & walks/wheels, animal interaction and possibly meeting Jessica the Hippo* (optional extra cost).

PLEASE NOTE: Game drives in the private reserve are done in the reserves standard vehicles and we will transfer you into the standard game drive seats, we have extra straps to assist you with balance if needed. The bush walk/wheels can be difficult for wheelchair users in dry conditions, i.e. soft sand.

Overnight: Tshukudu Bush Camp, bungalows
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, entrance fees & accommodation
Excluded: Shangaan village, Jessica the hippo, drinks, personal expenses & tips

DAY 13 (13TH SEPT 2024) – RETURN TO JNB AND DEPARTURE HOME:

Our last day is a scenic day’s journey back to Johannesburg where you will be delivered to the airport for your flight home after enjoying your incredible Epic safari.

Please only book your return flight to depart Johannesburg any time after 7pm (19:00).

Included: Breakfast, an accessible vehicle with driver/guide & airport transfer
Excluded: Lunch, dinner, personal expenses, drinks & tips

Price of the Wheelchair Accessible Safari 

R57’050 per person

Currency is in South African Rand. There is also a Single supplement fee of + R17’250 extra per single person. At the time of writing this, the price in US dollars was equivalent to $3,145 per person.

What is Included and Excluded in My Trip?

Your Trip Price Includes

• 4 x airport transfer (CPT, CPT, JNB & JNB)
• 4 nights in Cape Town to be advised
• 1 night in Johannesburg @ City Lodge
• 4 nights in bungalows in the Kruger Park
• 3 nights in the private reserve in bungalows
• all transport as per itinerary in specially adapted vehicles for wheelchair access
• 12 breakfasts | 7 lunches | 7 dinners (as per itinerary)
• all entrance fees and tours as per above itinerary
• English speaking driver/guide

Exclusions

• international & domestic airfares & airport taxes
• optional excursions marked with *
• meals in restaurants (if you choose) as per itinerary
• drinks & personal expenses.
• tipping (porterages & gratuities)
• travel insurance (compulsory)
• visas (if applicable)
• private carer
• laundry

Optional Activities at Additional Costs

Kruger National Park night game drive: ~R400 pp
Jessica the Hippo visit: ~R250 pp

What Makes This Safari Wheelchair Accessible?

Accessible Accommodations

A range of fully equipped accommodations is used including bungalows and cottages in main and private camps. The bungalows have accessible en-suite bathrooms with roll-in showers and the cottages in private reserves have their own ablutions with a shower or bath. All accommodations have solid off-the-ground beds.

Accessible Vehicles

There are a variety of vehicles available, depending on the group size. The accessible vehicles are especially adapted by qualified mechanical engineers for wheelchair (differently abled) passengers to travel in total safety and comfort.

The wheelchairs are secured by means of factory built, quick release tie-downs to ensure safety whilst the vehicle is in motion. These tie-downs are bolted and secured to the framework of the vehicle body enhancing the all-round safety aspects.

We will be riding in the Iveco bus 50C15V18 with hydraulic passenger lift. The passenger compartment has been purposely built, with factory-constructed seats with seat belts with the middle row removed for wheelchair users.

It can accommodate 4 – 6 wheelchair passengers (some will have to transfer into standard vehicle seats) and an additional 8 – 10 seated passengers (standard vehicle seats).

Important Information

*The roads to (and inside) the private game reserve can be very bumpy. If this is a concern, make sure to inquire about current conditions before booking.

*We will be in the Malaria Zone at times. It is HIGHLY recommended that you talk to your doctor about the best Malaria prevention options for you.

FAQ’s

Who Leads the Tour?

Alfie, the owner/driver/guide of Epic Enable, leads all tours by himself, and for larger groups, his assistant Charles joins the tours.  They are trained, motivated, and experienced in leadership and group dynamics and combine an extensive knowledge of local conditions, wildlife, immigration, vehicles, and mechanical expertise along with a passion for overland safari travel to ensure a successful journey.

Carers or qualified medical assistants can be organized on request at extra cost.

Who Can Join This Wheelchair Accessible Safari?

This small group tour is open to everyone of all abilities. Whether you are a slow walker, have a hidden disability (such as chronic pain), or are able-bodied and want to travel with a friend or family member who has mobility problems, we welcome everyone.

What Are the Health Risks?

Some of our safaris & tours take us through the Kruger National Park, which is in the malaria area, we therefore highly recommend for our clients to take malaria prophylaxis. This is the biggest risk on tour; please consult your local Travel Clinic for up-to-date details on vaccinations. Please consult your travel agent regarding Covid regulations and travel requirements.

Do I Need Insurance? What Type?

It is compulsory for all travelers to have their own valid medical and travel insurance to cover overland travel including repatriation, including Covid regulations. Epic Enabled operates Public and Passenger liability insurance according to International & European standards.

How Big is This Small Group Tour?

There will be no more than twelve people on the tour. So, it will be truly a small group and will offer plenty of opportunities to get to know each other. You never know, you may even make a new lifelong friend!

Are There Any Age Restrictions?

No restrictions, all ages are welcome if you are young enough to enjoy an adventure and old enough to appreciate our beautiful country. However, please inform us if you wish to bring children on tour.

Can You Accommodate Special Dietary Requirements?

Epic Enabled provides a range of wholesome meals (please refer to the itinerary on what is included) a day which includes stews, pasta, barbeques, traditional African dishes such as potjie served in a boma, picnics, etc. Vegetarians and those with special dietary requirements will always be catered for (Please request special diets when booking).

Is the Water Safe to Drink?

Generally, all campsites we use have good and safe drinking water. However, there is always bottled water readily available for purchase as well.

Is There Reliable Electricity?

Yes, we have electricity every day & night. You can recharge your batteries and electric aids whenever you are not traveling. *Update (Feb 2020): We are experiencing a problem with the electricity supply in South Africa at present. This has resulted in us having load shedding once – sometimes twice a day for +/- 2 ½ hours each time. “South Africa” is working on it!

Is South Africa Safe?

It is very safe to travel with the Epic Enabled company and they avoid the “hot spots” so you can relax and enjoy your holiday. Lockable areas are available where you can keep your valuables at all times. All the safari vehicles are well equipped with communications equipment, first aid kits and breakdown equipment. They are very aware of the security in the places visited and will always advise you if there are “quick fingers” (theft possibilities) around.

Why Travel with a Group vs On Your Own

First, as I mentioned at the beginning of this post, planning accessible travel can be a hassle. I’ve done all the work for you on this incredible trip. You can just show up and relax knowing you are traveling with a company that specializes in accessible travel in South Africa.

Additionally, if you’ve been following me, you know that I have gone to some pretty amazing places (cruising to Antarctica for example). If I had a superpower, it would be that I plan some pretty epic trips. Now, you can join me on my adventures! Get to know me, pick my brain about accessible travel, and go on a safari to see the wonderful wildlife that South Africa has to offer.

Next Steps to Book Your Wheelchair Accessible Safari

Sounds like an amazing trip right!? If you are ready to reserve your spot on this wheelchair-accessible safari, (spaces are extremely limited) then make sure to contact me at worldonwheelsblog@gmail.com. To secure your place on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, you will need to pay a nonrefundable deposit and complete a form for each person in your party. Then use the link I provide to join the free Facebook group and meet your fellow travelers.