The Mother City
Known locally as The Mother City, Cape Town has undergone major changes in the last 10 years, all of them good from an accessibility point of view. Tourism has become the biggest industry in the Western Cape and they are keen to make sure everyone is able to visit as many things as possible. As one of the big destinations for the World Cup in 2010, a huge amount of work was done on the city itself, lowering pavements, levelling crossing points etc. Of course this is still Africa and as such not everything always works as you expect it might, but I believe overall Cape Town is one of the most accessible cities on the continent. Car parks will always have dedicated disabled spaces (bring your own badge) and on the whole they are well respected. Again, this is not a comprehensive guide and I would like to fill in more info so please let me know of your experiences. The info below is intended as a guide only and I cannot guarantee everything will be available when you visit.
The City Sightseeing bus tour is offering day tours around the Peninsula, through the city centre and into the Constantia Winelands, and with an extending ramp and wheelchair space on its lower deck, the City Sightseeing Bus is the perfect way to enjoy the Mother City’s legendary beauty and cultural hotspots.
Being in a wheelchair is no deterrent to getting to the top of Table Mountain. And while the summit is not as flat as one would imagine, it certainly is wheelchair-friendly. From the moment you arrive at the Lower Cable Station to concluding your trip up Table Mountain, you can expect smooth sailing.
Ensure your disabled parking disc is visible on your vehicle, so that you can park in one of the specially demarcated bays at the Lower Cable Station. A customer services assistant will help you to the lifts, which will get you to the Cableway docking level and the cable cars.
The Rotair cable car doors are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, and the viewing windows are low enough for you to watch the scenery as the car travels up to the Upper Cable Station. Once there the 2 main walkways are tarmac and easily accessible.
Robben Island - Although I have not yet visited with a wheelchair, I have read a lot about the accessibility. The trip starts at the Waterfront and the Sea Princess catamaran is accessible although the interior and upper deck of the boat is not. This means you get to sit outside and watch Cape Town disappear as you approach the island. Once you have arrived there is a bus tour around the island and although old, the bus does have a wheelchair lift. It can cope with power chairs apparently. Halfway through the tour the bus stops for a toilet break and there is a disabled toilet. Once the tour is complete you get to tour the prison itself. This is generally wheelchair friendly but there is a 4/5inch step inside the museum which does prevent access to the dormitories. Nelson Mandela's cell is not part of this and in a separate place which is ramped (although a bit steep).
Shop to your heart’s content at the V&A Waterfront and its Clocktower Mall. Both centres have easily accessible lifts, elevators and sliding doors as well as wheelchair-friendly toilets and a free wheelchair service for the weary elderly shopper.
IZIKO SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM
Brush up on your historical knowledge at the museum or stargaze at the planetarium. Ramps with handrails, as well as lifts and a well-equipped toilet at the museum, and designated wheelchair space at the planetarium, will ensure an easy and enjoyable experience.
Signal Hill is great for a view and getting pictures of Table Mountain for taking pictures of Table Mountain as well as Lion’s Head. You can also see Robben Island from there The sun sinks into the sea in front of you, the sunsets can be very dramatic. There is lots of parking, two accessible toilets and wheelchair accessible paths & deck. Usually there is an ice cream truck and good coffee/food available too.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is known as “Africa’s most beautiful garden”. Its an amazing botanical garden in the southern suburbs of Cape Town - 25 mins from the house. It's one of the leadings botanic gardens of the world. Although somewhat steep in places (manual wheelchairs may need a push), Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is wheelchair accessible for the most part. At the main entrance there are dedicated disabled parking places (bring your badge) and I understand the toilet facilities are very good. There is a new "Boomslang" Tree Canopy Walkway which is 130m long. It is perfectly accessible and you go from the forest floor to the tree tops. The view is really amazing across the trees.
The District 6 museum highlights some of the difficulties and struggles surrounding the apartheid era in South Africa. The museum website states that a ramp and lift are available but that the first and second floors are only accessible with stairs. Please let me know if you go and how you find the access. Thanks.
For entertainment of a totally different kind, you can head to the Grand West Casino. I'm informed it is entirely accessible and have all the necessary facilities.
