SANParks – An Accessible Tourism Case Study

by Chris Patton

South African National Parks•  1. Addo Elephant National Park •  2. Agulhas National Park•  3. Augrabies Falls National Park•  4. Bontebok National Park•  5. Camdeboo National Park•  6. Golden Gate Highlands National Park•  7. Karoo National Park•  8. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park•  9. Knysna National Lake Area•  10. Kruger National Park• 11. Mapungubwe National Park• 12. Marakele National Park• 13. Mountain Zebra National Park• 14. Namaqua National Park• 15. Richtersveld National Park• 16. Table Mountain National Park• 17. Tankwa Karoo National Park• 18. Tsitsikamma National Park• 19. Mokala National Park• 20. West Coast National Park• 21. Wilderness National Park• NB 9, 18 & 21 now merged as the recently• launched Garden Route National Park

Areas of Focus for Inclusive Tourism

• General Facilities

• Accommodation

• Activities

Inclusive General Facilities

• Park entrance gates

• Rest Camp receptions

• Restaurants, Delis & Shops

• Activity facilities

Accommodation Accessible to Mobility Challenged Guests

• 109 accessible units with ensuite ablutions • Accessible accommodation in 39 rest camps in

the 16 parks that offer accommodation• Approximately 5% of all SANParks

accommodation• Additionally 20 plus communal ablution blocks

with facilities for mobility challenged guests

Accommodation What is accessible accommodation?

• Ramped or level access• Ablutions with suitable toilet, shower/bath

and basin facilities• Bedroom layout appropriate – space, bed

height, cupboard access etc.• Switches, plugs, air-conditioners, mirrors etc

all within reach• Kitchen facilities with clearance• Outside verandas, braais etc are accessible.

Common Short-comings of Accessible Accommodation

• Grab rails in the wrong place• Under-sized fold-down seats in roll-in

showers• Basins out of reach from toilet • Doors opening the wrong way• Unsuitable Spatial layout• Kitchens without clearance below sinks and

stovesCustomer Feedback Mechanism

Instilling confidence through provision of website accessibility profiles

Accessible Accommodation

Reservation Procedure for Mobility Challenged Guests

• Most Z-type accessible units held on reserve until 30 days prior to occupation date

• Book through SANParks directly – email, telephone, walk-in or through travel trade, but not on-line through website

• Important to convey need for accessible unit and disclose reason

Accessible Activities in Parks

• Game and Landscape Viewing• From a vehicle (mobile hide)

- self drive - park vehicles - dedicated tour operators

• From Hides and Lookout Platforms • From Camp trails and boardwalks• Picnic Sites• Museums and Information Centres

Transport

Accessible Hides

Falls Boardwalk - Augrabies Falls National Park

Nature’s Valley Forest Boardwalk – Tsitsikamma Section of Garden

Route National Park

Discovery Trail – Addo Elephant National Park

Limpopo/Shashe 3 Country Confluence – Mapungubwe

National Park

Treetop Boardwalk – Mapungubwe National Park

Boulders Beach Penguin Colony – Table Mountain National Park

Silvermine Trail – Table Mountain National Parkrocks, marsh and water

Thank you