Accessible Safaris

Traveling in Africa is quite easy for most people. But not for people using wheelchairs. African safaris are also not very easy for people with hearing and visual impairments. We cannot say that Africa is perfect for accessible safaris. But this does not mean that you cannot explore Africa. Some tour operators are offering accessible safaris. Let’s look at some packages you can choose for an unforgettable accessible safari.

Accessible Safari Packages

Are you or a loved one using a wheelchair? Well, you can still go on Africa safaris? Tour operators offer various African accessible safari packages. Let’s look at some of these packages.

3 Days Masai Mara Special Tour

This tour is for 3 people with one person using a wheelchair.

• On day 1, you fly from Nairobi to Masai Mara. After lunch, you enjoy an afternoon game drive. The game drive will be in a customized tour van. These vans accommodate wheelchairs. You spend the night at Serena Safari Lodge. You can easily access this lodge in a wheelchair.
• On day 2, you enjoy 2 game drives in the protected area. Masai Mara is rich in wildlife. You may spot animals such as lions, leopards, buffaloes, and elephants among others.
• On day 3, you enjoy another game drive. You can also choose to enjoy a hot air balloon safari. But you may have to cater for an extra cost. Then, you will take a flight to Nairobi for departure.

The 3-day package covers transfers, entry fees, game drives, and accommodation.

7 days accessible safaris

Some tour operators have longer packages for people with disabilities. This package is suitable for people with manual wheelchairs.

• On day 1, you are driven to your hotel in Nairobi. You will enjoy best service as you relax overnight.
• On day 2, you visit Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. The two places are accessible for people using wheelchairs.
• On day 3, you take a flight to Lake Naivasha. Here, you will see many species of birds. You will also see animals such as hippos.
• On day 4, you drive on a customized vehicle to Lake Nakuru National Park. Here, you will see the lovely pink flamingos. Other common animals include rhinos, giraffes, and many others.
• On days 5 to 7, you take a flight to Masai Mara. With proper timing, you can see the Great Migration. You will also love the sightings of diverse wildlife. You will enjoy several game drives in the park.
• On day 8, you will enjoy one more game drive in the mighty Masai Mara. Then, you will fly to Nairobi ready for departure. You don’t have to worry about accommodation in Masai Mara. It has several accessible camps and lodges. These include;

Sarova Mara Game Camp

It is a luxury accommodation in the national reserve. It has a bar, swimming pool, restaurant, and bird sanctuary. It has several categories of tents. These include deluxe, standard, family, and club tents. The standard tent is accessible by wheelchairs. The tent has king beds, writing desks, a wardrobe, and safari chairs. Also, it has an en-suite bathroom.

Bathroom amenities include slippers, a bathrobe, toilet paper, and towels. The room has a mosquito net, clothes rack, outdoor furniture, wake-up service, etc. This is a perfect camp for people with disabilities.

Karen Blixen Camp

It is located in Mara North Conservancy. The camp is designed in a way that supports accessible safaris. It has 3 tents accessed with ease. The camp also has wheelchairs for visitors. This helps travelers to move easily within the camp.

Ashnil Mara Camp

The camp is located in a perfect place in Masai Mara. It is great for seeing hippos, elephants, lions, giraffes, and other species of mammals. People in wheelchairs can easily access the camp. It is a perfect camp to enjoy the goodness of Africa.

10 Days Accessible Safaris

You can choose even longer accessible African safaris. For example, this 10-day package includes a visit to Kenya and Tanzania. You will visit several accessible places. These include Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Centre, Lake Nakuru, and Masai Mara. You will then fly to Tanzania to relax on Zanzibar beaches. But you will be carried into the plane because Zanzibar airport is not accessible.

You can also enjoy accessible safaris in South Africa. Several tour operators offer safaris for seniors and people with hearing and visual impairments. Companies such as Epic Enabled are offering accessible tours in South Africa. For example, you can enjoy game drivers in Kruger National Park. The company has equipment such as walking frames, wheelchairs, and shower chairs.  Endeavor Safaris has safaris for people with hearing and visual impairments. These companies are making it possible for everyone to access African wildlife. More tour operators are working on ensuring that even people with disabilities enjoy safaris.

Africa is a true treasure. You should make plans to visit it at least once in your lifetime. In terms of accessible safaris, Africa may not be the best tourist destination. Travelers with disabilities may not get the best experience. But there are tour operators that ensure that even these travelers enjoy African safaris. There are light flights that fly people using wheelchairs to their destinations. For game drives, tour operators customize vehicles for their travelers. Just ensure that you travel with good company. You should have a memorable safari experience. Contact us for more info about accessible safaris in Africa.