It is very true that in Africa there are often capable people available who are willing (normally delighted) to help lift and carry guests over and around obstacles, up and down steps and in and out of vehicles. It is also true that an African safari often 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 from staff to reach the dining room, or worse, the bathroom, is enough to put many people off. In addition, to discover that the rooms of others on the safari 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; indeed, 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.
• 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.

Thinking of making your property more inclusive?

Please print and take 15 minutes to read through the following guidelines. They are by no means exhaustive, and do not necessarily follow any official code or national requirement, but they give a basic idea of what is needed. To make it easier, think of it a basic common sense with some standard measurements. If you wish to know detailed specifications, or ideas of where to obtain 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 guideline, 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 this suits their needs.

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Access Routes

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

• No narrower than 90cm, or 80cm 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).
• Any steps avoided by using ramps and slopes no steeper than 1:12 (note, temporary ramps are unsightly and rarely as safe as permanent ones).
• Ramps longer than 200cm 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.
• 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.

Doors & Doorways

• Usable space minimum 80cm, preferably 90cm 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 2cm high and should have bevelled (rounded) edges.
• Door handles should be usable by for people who lack strong grip (lever, rather than round handled, door handles are preferable).
• Doors should open and close easily and should not swing into small spaces like bathrooms, narrow hallways, or closets.

Bedrooms - if possible, at least one fully accessible room per 25 rooms in total

• Make accessible rooms close to reception and other main areas.
• Clear space at least 80cm wide next to bed to allow wheelchair user alongside.
• Bed should not slide easily on floor as this makes wheelchair transfers more difficult.
• Top of mattress between 40cm and 60cm 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 to attract attention) and light switch within reach of someone in bed. Deaf people use telephone with visible or vibrating alert.
• Patio accessible with door at least 80cm wide and rounded threshold no more than 2cm high
• Mosquito net 80cm wider than bed, allowing unhurried transfer from wheelchair.

Bathrooms

Toilet

• Clear space of at least 80cm either beside or in front of toilet for a wheelchair to allow user to transfer.
• Support rail - at least one horizontal rail alongside the toilet between 80 and 95cm from the floor. This must be strong enough to be used as support yet hinged so it can easily swing up against the wall (otherwise it can block the transfer area).
• Toilet seat should be between 40cm and 50cm 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

• For wheelchair users, a minimum of 65cm knee clearance from floor and a maximum top surface height of 90cm.
• Clear space beneath sink allowing forward access for user's legs and shield any any hot pipes.
• Lever or push taps, instead of the standard 'grip and twist' type.
• Lower edge of mirrors to be no higher than 100cm from ground (tilting a higher mirror has the same effect).

Bath

• Clear space at least 80cm wide alongside bath for wheelchair.
• Bath rim 40-50cm from floor and 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 30cm above bath opposite transfer area.
• Lever or push taps, instead of the standard 'grip and twist' type.
• If bath is combined with shower, shower head to be hand-held ('telephone') type.

Shower

• Roll-in shower with flat entrance or lip no greater than 2cm. Alternatively, whole bathroom floor made drainable by gently sloping floor leading into shower (but important to keep the entrance doorway level).
• Secure seat in washing area, 40-50cm from floor with 80cm clear space next to it for wheelchair.
• At least one support rail on opposite wall, no more than 50cm 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.

Eating areas

• Tables with at least 65cm clearance from floor, or blocks available to bring a table to this height.

Swimming pools

• Lift or gradually sloped 'roll-in' entrance with non-slip surface are ideal for people who cannot walk 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 100cm x 70cm.
• All light switches, thermostat, fan and air conditioning controls, cupboards and storage space, towel rails, telephones and door handles should be less than 140cm 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, if possible, 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 ways to alert deaf and blind guests of emergency evacuation, register guests as disabled and inform all shifts of staff so they are prepared to assist.