Airports
O.R. Tambo International Airport has well
trained staff, is fully equipped and is
as slick and efficient as any European
counterpart. Smaller domestic airports
may not be as reliable.
Accommodation
Most quality hotels in and around the
city contain some adapted rooms. However,
the more budget conscious you are, the
more limited your options will be. To
be sure you get what you need, good research
must be done in advance.
Getting
around
Modern shopping malls are designed with
disabled people in mind, and many restaurants,
museums, theatres and other attractions
are accessible, at least to some degree.
Again, it is essential to check in advance.
The city's pavements and streets are not
sufficiently adapted to make wheeling
easy, and taxis, buses and trains are
also not wheelchair accessible. Therefore,
if you cannot transfer independently,
it's advisable to contact the specialist
operators (mentioned below) who run adapted
vehicles.
Cars with paraplegic hand controls can
be hired from Avis Car Rental (tel: +27
(0)11 923 3660; e-mail: reservations(at)avis.co.za;
www.avis.co.za) and Hertz (tel: +27 (0)21
935 4800; email: res(at)hertz.co.za; www.hertz.co.za).
Both companies say this service comes
at no extra charge, but booking at least
72 hours in advance is required.
Health
Although South African healthcare is of
a high standard, it is essential to understand
and to be able to explain your own medical
requirements. If possible, take all necessary
medication and equipment with you and
pack this in your hand luggage in case
your main luggage gets lost.
Security
As a disabled person, you are more vulnerable
than most tourists. Stay aware of where
your belongings are, especially during
car transfers and similar activities where
the confusion creates easy pickings for
an opportunist thief.
Specialist
Operators
The following operators cater for disabled
clients, and can provide advice and transport
as well as organise city tours and safaris
further afield.
Bophelo Tours
& Safaris
Tel: +27 (0)12 654 9189; fax: +27 (0)12
654 7237; email: marius(at)bophelo.com;
www.bophelo.com
Endeavour
Safaris
Tel/fax: +27 (0)21 556 6114; email: info(at)endeavour-safaris.com;
www.endeavour-safaris.com
Epic Enabled
Tel/fax: +27 (0)21 782 9575; email: info(at)epic-enabled.com;
www.epic-enabled.com
Titch Tours
Tel: +27 (0)21 686 5501; fax: +27 21 686
5506; email: titcheve(at)iafrica.com;
www.titchtours.co.za
Further
Information
The "Access Gauteng" guide is
a highly rated booklet, which gives details
of accessible accommodation, attractions
and tour operators in the region, plus
information about other topics such as
wheelchair hire. You can order a copy
from the Gauteng Tourist Authority (address:
PO Box 155, Newtown, 2113, Johannesburg;
tel: +27 (0)11 832 2780 / +27 (0)11 639
1600; email: tourism(at)gauteng.net; www.gauteng.net)
The Quad/Para
Association of South Africa (tel: +27
(0)31 767 0348; fax: +27 (0)31 767 0584;
email: ari(at)qasa.co.za; www.qasa.co.za)
provides advice about all mobility issues.
