16 wheelchair-friendly accessible attractions to visit in South Africa

Posted on 19 February 2018

South Africa has become more aware of travellers with special requirements. Many tourism establishments have also kept in mind the importance of parking bays, toilet facilities, placing rails and ramps for those who require them.

Listed below are a few wheelchair accessible attractions in the country.

 

Cape Town

1. City Sightseeing bus

Address: Dock Road, V&A Waterfront
Opening times: 08:00 – 18:00
Contact: 0861733287

The City Sightseeing Bus is a hop on/hop off open top bus, has over 30 stops and takes you to more than 50 attractions in and around the city. The buses have ramps to make boarding the bus easier. Majority of the buses are wheelchair friendly. This is also the first bus in South Africa to be a certified carbon-neutral bus, making it an environmentally efficient bus.

 

2. Artscape Theatre

Address: D.F. Malan Street, Foreshore
Opening times: Depends on show times
Contact: 0214109800

The Artscape Theatre has been running since 19 May 1971, it’s formerly known as the Nico Malan Theatre Centre. This elegant venue is wheelchair friendly. The Artscape Theatre is the main performance arts centre in the city of Cape Town, where a great selection of opera, musicals and theatre productions are showcased.

 

3. Two Oceans Aquarium

Address: Dock Road, V&A Waterfront
Opening times: 9:30 – 18:00
Contact: 0214183823

The Two Oceans Aquarium opened in 1995. This is one of Cape Town’s top tourist attractions and is considered the leading environmental education centre in the country. The Two Oceans Aquarium is wheelchair friendly with ramps throughout the building. The vision for the Two Oceans Aquarium is to raise awareness of the ocean as well as give recognition to the beauty and diversity of the oceans in southern Africa.

 

4. Company Gardens

Address:15 Queen Victoria Street
Opening times: 07:00 – 17:00
Contact: 0214232919

Company Gardens is surrounded by numerous landmarks (The House of Parliament, Iziko South African Museum, St Georges Cathedral, South African National Gallery and the Planetarium to name a few). The garden was named after the Dutch East India Company, started the garden in 1652. The garden doesn’t have any set tourism offerings, but if you long to escape and be kept company by the cutest squirrels this is the place. The garden is accessible and close to public transport. You can read your book under the trees or simply enjoy a picnic in the casual set up.

 

Port Elizabeth

5. Bay World Oceanarium

Address: 23 Beach Road, Humewood
Opening times: Daily 09:00 – 16:30
Contact: 0415840650

Bay World is the third-oldest museum in the country. In 1856, it was granted to the municipality to become a town hall and a library, but became an oceanarium instead. Bay World is at the Port Elizabeth beachfront and is a wonderful space for the entire family. The Oceanarium aims to create awareness on marine life, reptiles and local history conservation in South Africa.

 

6. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum

Address: 1 Park Drive, Port Elizabeth Central
Opening times: Daily 09:00 – 17:00
Contact: 0415062000

The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum was founded in 1956. The art museum is a collection of South African art and craft. The art museum’s aim is to collect, preserve, and exhibit art. There are wheelchairs available upon request. The collections showcased at the museum are there to inspire and make a positive difference in people’s lives.

 

7. Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World

Address: Beach Road, Summerstrand
Opening times: 24 hours
Contact: 0415077777

The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World is a stone throw away from the award winning, Blue Flag Hobie Beach. It’s a twenty-four-hour entertainment area with a spectacular lake surrounded by a children’s entertainment area, as well as a movie house, a spa and some shops and restaurants.

 

8. Mc Arthur Pool and Leisure Centre

Address:  33 Beach Road, Humewood
Opening times: Open daily in season (September to April) 
Contact: 0415822285

The McArthur Pools are situated along the King’s Beach Promenade. This recreational facility has two large open-air pools with a kiddies splash pool. The leisure centre is close to the ocean and within close proximity from the pool complex, there is a restaurant and a surf shop that allows you to have views of the Indian Ocean, accessible from the wooden decks.

 

Durban

9. KwaMuhle Museum

Address: 130 Bram Fischer Road, Durban Central
Opening times: 08:30 – 16:00
Contact: 0313112237

The KwaMuhle Museum documents the people of the city and their interactions. You can learn about the diversity and history of this city. What was once the city’s headquarters for the Native Administration Department is now a museum. The building offers free on-site parking and is well equipped for all.

 

10. Mini Town

Address: 114 Snell Parade, North Beach
Opening times: Daily 09:00 – 16:30
Contact: 0313377892

Mini Town has been around for more than 30 years. It’s a representation of the city of Durban, scaled down to a size of 1:24. This place makes for a great family outing for as little as R25 for entrance. Catch a glimpse of the airport, harbour and trains as miniature models.

 

11. Durban Botanical Garden

Address: 9A John Zikhali Road, Musgrave
Opening times: Daily 07:30 – 17:15
Contact: 0313224021

The Durban Botanical Garden is one of Durban’s oldest public institutions. The garden was developed in 1849 for a trial of agricultural crops. The garden boasts of unique trees from all over the world.

 

Johannesburg

12. Neighbourgoods Market

Address: 73 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Opening times: Saturday 09:00 – 15:00
Contact: 0814162605

Overall good music, food and vibes. Image from Neighbourgoods Market

One of the many hip places to be on a Saturday is the Neighbourgoods Market. This spot is popular with the locals and tourists for its cool and modern vibe. The market is situated in Braamfontein and sells an array of food and handicrafts. The market is a combination of art, music and food.

 

13. The Origins Centre Museum

Address: Yale Road & Enoch Sontonga Avenue, Johannesburg
Opening times:  Daily 10:00 – 17:00
Contact: 0117174700

A collection of rock art from 80000 years ago. Image from Origins Centre Museum

The Origins Centre Museumcan be found at the Wits University. This is where the history of South African human heritage and origins of mankind were discovered. The museum will allow you to view the earliest images made by humans found in the country.

 

14. Market Theatre

Address: 56 Margaret Mcingana Street, Newtown
Opening times: Depends on show times
Contact: 0118321641

The Market Theatre is based in the inner city area of Newtown known for its vibrancy and culture. Although the Market Theatre was founded in 1976, it still aims to bring a cultural experience. The theatre boasts of a history that celebrates culture, politics and freedom.

 

15. Joburg Zoo

Address: Jan Smuts Avenue & Upper Park Drive, Parkview
Opening times: Daily 08:30 – 17:30
Contact: 0114642000

The Joburg Zoo was founded in 1904, when the 55 hectares of land was donated to the public for recreational purposes. This popular local attraction is equipped for wheelchairs with and a playground that is safe and fun for all children. 

 

16. Mandela House

Address: 8115 Vilakazi Street & Ngakane Street, Orlando West
Opening times: Daily 09:00 – 17:00
Contact: 0119367754

The house on Vilakazi Street in Orlando West, is where you can learn all about former President, Nelson Mandela’s story. Nelson Mandela returned to the house, after his release in the year 1990. The Mandela House is wheelchair friendly with bathroom facilities that cater to all. The house has since been turned into a public heritage site.

Know of any more places that aren’t mentioned above? Please share them with us.

 

 






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