written by Editorial Team, Travel without Limits, October 30, 2024
Supported Travel eXperiences (STX) wants to make the world accessible for everyone – and for one traveller, that means making a South African safari dream come true.
The team at Supported Travel eXperiences (STX) is united by a vision: to make travelling the world accessible for everyone. As a disability specialist travel agency, they are the experts in making personal travel dreams come true.
John*’s travel dream was a big one. With his passion for wildlife and photography, he dreamed of a South African safari that would bring him up-close to the African animals he’s always admired from afar. The team at STX were the ones to make it happen.
John uses a manual wheelchair to get around due to his muscular dystrophy, and lives with an intellectual disability. He travels with two support workers to assist with his needs, and there are a few must-haves on his travel checklist, including a shower chair/commode, wheelchair accessible accommodation, and transfer vehicles with a ramp/lift for access. STX worked with John’s support team for four years to make sure he’d have everything he’d need on his once-in-a-lifetime trip.
The journey began with a domestic flight and overnight accessible accommodation in Perth, before embarking on an international flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival at Tambo International Airport, STX arranged for John and his support workers to transfer to accessible accommodation at Courtyard Arcadia, Pretoria, in a wheelchair accessible van.
At the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, John got to witness a breath-taking high-speed cheetah chase. Led by a knowledgeable guide, he and his support workers saw King Cheetahs, African wild dogs, caracals, vultures, and more – the perfect introduction to his African wildlife adventure.
“Sam, the guide who showed us around at the Ann van Dyke Cheetah Centre, had worked with many clients in wheelchairs and he knew exactly what John wanted. He was warm and funny, and made a big effort to make the experience memorable for John.”
Next on John’s itinerary was a transfer to Hoedspruit from O.R. Tambo International Airport, on to Little Africa Safari Lodge. STX knew this luxury tented camp was the right choice for John and his travelling companions, as it is owned and operated by a wheelchair user who really ‘gets it’.
Little Africa Safari Lodge offers air-conditioned luxury safari tents, with private patios and riverbed views, that can be configured to suit the guests’ needs. Each tent is wheelchair accessible, and Tent Nr. 1 has a wheelchair-accessible shower.
“Little Africa Safari Lodge was a fantastic choice for John. It’s a small, family-run lodge that’s completely wheelchair accessible. It made a big difference staying somewhere where the staff had first-hand experience and understanding of disability.”
STX was thrilled that John’s South African safari came together, and it was everything he’d dreamed.
“We came to STX with quite complex travel needs, and they were always patient, informative, and ready to help us problem solve. Thank you STX, for your time and expertise.”
Ready to make your own travel dream come true? Email the team at STX (TWL@supportedtravelx.com.au) and let them design and arrange a personalised travel experience that suits your needs. As a nationally registered travel agency and NDIS service provider, STX can ensure your travel experience aligns with your NDIS goals and personal circumstances.