SANParks – An Accessible Tourism Case Study by Chris Patton

1. SANParks – An Accessible Tourism Case Studyby Chris Patton

2.  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 South African National Parks

4. Areas of Focus for Inclusive Tourism General Facilities Accommodation Activities Inclusive General Facilities Park entrance gates Rest Camp receptions Restaurants, Delis & Shops Activity facilities

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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 stoves Customer Feedback Mechanism Instilling confidence through provision of website accessibility profiles

8. Accessible Accommodation

9. 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

10. 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

11. Transport

12. Accessible Hides

13. Falls Boardwalk - Augrabies Falls National Park

14. Nature’s Valley Forest Boardwalk – Tsitsikamma Section of Garden Route National Park Discovery Trail – Addo Elephant National Park

15. Limpopo/Shashe 3 Country Confluence – Mapungubwe National Park

16. Treetop Boardwalk – Mapungubwe National Park Boulders Beach Penguin Colony – Table Mountain National Park

17. Silvermine Trail – Table Mountain National Parkrocks, marsh and water

18. Thank you