Breaking Barriers: SA AIA Supports Groundbreaking Accessible Adventure Pilot in Gauteng

Adventure is often described as universal — yet for many South Africans living with visual impairments, opportunities to safely experience the outdoors remain limited. On 31 January 2026, that narrative began to change.

Through a connection facilitated by the South African Adventure Industry Association (SA AIA), Mandla Sibanda of Hyqe Club hosted a pioneering accessible hiking experience alongside organiser Maymoona and her inspiring team.

What unfolded was far more than a hike — it was the beginning of a movement. The pilot brought together a carefully structured group of nine participants, including three completely blind hikers, one partially sighted adventurer, trained guides, and support members.

The format proved highly effective, reinforcing a key learning: One guide per hiker is the gold standard for both safety and experience.

With perfect weather, a thoughtfully planned route, and guides deeply familiar with the trail, the group navigated contrasting landscapes — from warm, sunlit grasslands to cool forest sections that heightened the sensory experience for participants. Most importantly, the day was filled with laughter, trust, learning, and connection.

“Thank you for making a dream become a reality… together we are going to take people with disability to new heights.”— Maymoona, Organiser

The hike concluded with a shared braai — a fittingly South African ending to a day defined by teamwork and achievement.

For Mandla, the experience was equally meaningful:

“It’s an experience I would happily repeat again and again until we’ve completely perfected it.”

Accessible Adventure: More Than a Once-Off Event

This pilot represents the early stages of what could become a nationwide initiative, opening the outdoors to a community often excluded from traditional adventure offerings.

It also highlights something critical for the future of the industry: Accessible adventure is not charity, it is professional guiding at its highest level. It requires planning, skill, empathy, training, and leadership. SA AIA is proud to support initiatives that expand safe participation in adventure while strengthening professional standards across South Africa.

As the Association prepares to launch its CPD and professional designation framework, initiatives like this will create meaningful opportunities for guides to:

• Develop specialised skills

• Earn CPD points

• Mentor aspiring guides

• Contribute to a more inclusive adventure sector

But perhaps most importantly — this experience reminds us that adventure is about possibility.

As Maymoona so perfectly put it:“Thank you for not looking at the barriers, but looking at the opportunity.”

And this is only the beginning. More adventures await.