For decades, African safaris have remained largely inaccessible to travelers with physical disabilities. Now, one company in Botswana is changing that, proving that even the most remote wilderness experiences can be opened to all. Endeavour Safaris, founded by Mike and Silvia Hill, has spent 20 years dismantling barriers, literally and figuratively, to create the world’s first wheelchair-adapted mobile safari.
The Challenge of Accessibility in Extreme Environments
The core challenge? Traditional safari vehicles are high-sided and unsafe for many with mobility impairments. Mike Hill, a veteran safari guide, realized the gap in the market and, without prior experience in disability advocacy, immersed himself in understanding the practical needs of wheelchair users. He spent months volunteering at disability centers to learn firsthand what accessibility actually means.
The solution is radical: custom-built safari vehicles with hydraulic lifts and secure restraints allow guests to remain in their wheelchairs during game drives if they choose. Beyond the vehicle, Endeavour Safaris has developed fully adapted mobile camps with roll-in showers, raised beds, and clear pathways, ensuring complete independence for disabled travelers.
Beyond Physical Barriers: A Mindset Shift
This isn’t just about ramps and lifts. The true innovation lies in the mindset. Mike’s approach isn’t about accommodating disability but about including everyone in an experience previously considered impossible. He believes that accessible travel is about dignity, independence, and even embracing calculated risk.
“No-one is immune to perhaps one day having or living with some or other form of disability. We are all human, and should be afforded the same opportunities to access the wild places in this world,” Mike states.
Experiencing the Okavango Delta
The safari itself unfolds in the Okavango Delta, a sprawling inland delta covering up to 5,791 square miles during peak floods. The experience is raw and unfiltered: guests can choose their own schedule, and wildlife encounters unfold organically. The camp is situated in active wildlife territory, with elephants and hippos frequenting the area, providing an immersive but undeniably risky experience.
This level of authenticity separates Endeavour Safaris from sanitized, luxury lodges. The company doesn’t shy away from the realities of the wilderness, including the challenges of regulating body temperature in extreme heat or the possibility of getting stuck in riverbeds.
The Future of Inclusive Adventure
Endeavour Safaris isn’t just solving a logistical problem; it’s redefining what adventure travel can be. The company is dismantling the assumption that certain experiences are off-limits to people with disabilities, proving that true inclusion requires not only physical accessibility but also a fundamental shift in perspective.
The world’s first adapted mobile safari camp is a testament to this vision, and will serve as a blueprint for an industry that has long overlooked the potential of inclusive travel.
