A tour operator has revealed how it altered a safari booking for two disabled clients with one simple adjustment. 

Enable Holidays has been specialising in accessible travel for 21 years, designing tailor-made itineraries for everything from city breaks to beach vacations. 

The Birmingham-based business is also renowned for making the ‘impossible’ possible; working with trusted partners to arrange activities like paragliding, scuba diving and hot air ballooning – all adapted for the disabled client.  

With such a strong reputation for accessibility in the industry, it’s no surprise that it was the first choice for an older disabled couple seeking a luxury tiger safari in India. 

“The two women had been hoping to do it for years,” Ben Kirby, chief executive officer of Enable Holidays, told TTG Luxury.  “But they never thought it could actually happen.”

At first glance, it seemed like a straightforward request. But given the couple’s mobility needs [one used an electric wheelchair and the other used a mobility scooter], careful planning and resourceful tactics would be required. 

“Most Jeeps on safaris aren’t designed to accommodate powered wheelchairs,” Kirby explained. “They’re often high off the ground with tiered seating, making them hard to access and uncomfortable for anyone with mobility limitations.”

While adapted vehicles do exist, they’re uncommon in safari settings. But Kirby knew exactly who to call: Silent Leopard, a local destination management company known for its flexibility and expertise in accessibility.

“We reworked the itinerary with Silent Leopard,” he said. “Since powered wheelchairs couldn’t be used during the safari itself, we arranged for manual wheelchairs that could be folded and stored in the vehicle. The guides assisted by lifting and transferring the couple into the Jeeps, and the wheelchairs were used whenever they disembarked. It’s all about removing that fear factor.”

He added: “These vehicles are built to handle rugged terrain, they bounce and jolt their way off-road to get close to the action. That’s rarely ideal for someone with mobility challenges, but with the right support in place, it became manageable.”

Kirby’s team also arranged additional assistance for the couple’s visit to the Taj Mahal – one of the highlights of the Golden Triangle tour. Although motorised wheelchairs can’t access the main platform due to a small set of steps, the support team ensured the couple didn’t miss out.

“To help them get as far as possible, the assistance guides actually lifted them still seated in their manual wheelchairs – up the steps,” Kirby explained. “There are no ramps, so this was the only way.”

Reflecting on the trip, Kirby stressed the importance of transparency and setting realistic expectations from the outset.

“You need to be upfront with clients about what’s possible and what might be challenging,” he said. “These conversations are vital throughout the planning process. Things may be more difficult, but with the right support, they’re very often still achievable.”

Kirby’s update comes shortly after he attended the Spain for All’s advisory board meeting in Seville last month. The industry veteran met with fellow board members, including ex-paralympian Ade Adepitan, to develop a practical framework for travel suppliers to improve their accessibility offerings.