Afrika: Trams, wine and waterfall
13. - 29. May 2026

On this unique tram tour, we travel to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, stop in Port Louis in Mauritius, photograph old and new trams in Johannesburg, Kimberley, and Cape Town, enjoy the wine tram in Franchhoek (South Africa), experience the wildlife of the Hwange National Park aboard the Elephant Express, and finish the tour on a tram at Victoria Falls.

As always with my trips, the program is modular and offers a variety of options for customizing the tour.
Very important, and therefore again at the top of the page: we will be traveling to Africa during the peak season. Flights and hotels are already fully booked. Even if you are not 100% sure whether you will participate in the entire trip or only in parts of the program, it would be very helpful if you could share your plans with me without obligation, as I can then reserve rooms and flights in advance!

I'm very happy to receive feedback, ideas, and suggestions (along the lines of "you have to see it"), please send me an email!

ITINERARY (as of 09. December 2025)

Optional tourism day in Addis Ababa
12. May 2026:
Departure for Addis Ababa in the evening. (Please be sure to read the notes regarding flight logistics below!). The flight is not included in the tour price, but I would be happy to book the best connections for you at guaranteed prices!

13. May 2026:
Arrival in Addis Ababa in the early morning, immigration, and transfer to the hotel. After a short break to freshen up, the sightseeing program in the Ethiopian capital begins, during which we will see, among other things, the cathedral, the famous Mercato market, and Mount Entoto. Dinner and overnight stay in Addis Ababa.

End of the optional pre-program.

Main program:

13. May 2026
Departure from Frankfurt to Addis Ababa in the evening, other departure airports upon request. (Please be sure to read the notes on flight logistics below!). The flight is not included in the tour price, but I would be happy to book the best connections for you at guaranteed prices!

14. May 2026
Arrival in Addis Ababa early in the morning, immigration and transfer to the hotel. After a short break to freshen up, our tram program begins. The Addis Ababa light rail system is a two-track system with a track length of 31.6 km. Planned as a typical Chinese investment project, China built the entire system, including the light rail vehicles, based on the railcars used in the city of Shenyang. Given that fares did not cover costs, Ethiopia's economic weakness, and poor maintenance, it was no surprise that by 2023 only 17 of the originally delivered 41 vehicles were still in service. China promised to supply spare parts, but these had to be paid for immediately by the Ethiopian state and the operating company... The system´s operation has now somewhat stabilized, and perhaps the Ethiopian government, which has now become rich through electricity exports, will contribute further funds? A visit to the Ayat depot has been requested. Welcome dinner and overnight stay in Addis Ababa.

15. May 2026
We'll spend another day exploring the light rail system; a visit to the Kalitı depot has been requested. In the evening, we'll visit an Ethiopian specialty restaurant. Overnight stay in Addis Ababa.

16. May 2026
In the morning, we drive to the airport and fly to Johannesburg, arriving around 1:00 PM. We photograph the regular metro and Gautrain trains and then check into our hotel near the airport. Dinner and overnight stay in Johannesburg.

17. May 2026
We're back at the airport early in the morning to continue our tour to Mauritius. Due to the time difference, we arrive there in the afternoon. The airport is on the east side of the island, but our destination, the capital Port Louis, is on the west side. We take our bus across the island and get our first glimpses of island life. Dinner and overnight stay in Port Louis.

Why are we flying to Mauritius via Johannesburg? First of all, the choice of connections between Addis Ababa and Mauritius is very limited – and the ones offered usually don't fit our itinerary or are outrageously expensive. There are only two realistic connections: via Madagascar or via Johannesburg. Johannesburg is much more attractive in terms of price, and we don't have to apply for a visa fee there (like in Madagascar).

18. May - 19. May 2026
I have set aside two days for photographing, filming, and riding the "Métro Express." The  light rail system  in the capital, Port Louis, is operated by standard-gauge Urbos3 light rail vehicles from the Spanish manufacturer CAF.  The future of the system is uncertain, as the government (and consequently the state-owned operating company) is bankrupt. All expansion plans have already been scrapped due to the financial crisis. A visit to the depot has been requested but is not yet confirmed at the time of publication. On 19. May, I have organized a sunset catamaran cruise with snacks, a barbecue, and unlimited local drinks. Dinner and overnight stay in Port Louis.

20. May 2026
Those flying home today will leave the country in the morning and arrive back in Europe the following day (21. May 2026). Those traveling on to South Africa will enjoy a tourist tour and sightseeing of the capital before flying to Johannesburg in the afternoon. Arrival there around 19:00, transfer to the hotel, and overnight stay in Johannesburg.

If you only book the South African portion of the trip, you will fly to Johannesburg on 19. May, arriving there the next day (20. May)!

21. May 2026
The Transport Museum in Johannesburg houses some historic tram treasures, which we will enjoy this morning. Free time (Metro, Gautrain?) until approximately 14:00 hrs when we have to transfer to the airport. Flight from Johannesburg OR Tambo to Kimberley. Transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Kimberley.
OPTIONAL: Visit to Rovos Rail in Pretoria. Rovos operates a fleet of luxury trains throughout Southern Africa and has built its own station and carriage/locomotive sheds for its fleet within part of the former State Railways depot, Capital Park. Assuming the Rovos luxury train arrives on time, a steam locomotive should be in operation and available for us to photograph. If there is interest, we can also view the extensive collection of locomotives and carriages. After a light lunch in the classic setting of the Rovos station, we (unfortunately) have to return to the airport.

22. May 2026
A tram operated in Kimberley until the 2020s for visitors to the "Big Hole," the largest man-made hole in the world. Like much of South Africa, the tram is no longer functional and, as part of the "white" heritage, will likely never run again. We'll tour the remains of the former operation, visit the Transport Museum with its other exhibits, and then fly on to Cape Town. Dinner and overnight stay in Cape Town.

23. May 2026
A potentially boozy day trip to the Wine Tram in Franschhoek is on the agenda today. In Franschhoek, a double-decker tram connects the classic South African wine estates. The route follows former state railway tracks and is now only operational on two separate sections. Originally, I wanted to book a charter tram for us, including wine tasting and lunch at one of the wineries, but unfortunately, the Wine Tram operators' customer service is nonexistent as soon as you deviate from the standard program. Therefore, we'll just book a basic ticket for unlimited travel on the Wine Tram and visit the photo spots by both tram and bus. Participants are then free to hop off at any of the many tram stops for wine tasting (at an additional cost) and/or lunch (at an additional cost). Please read the notes on the Wine Tram below for further information! In the late afternoon, we return to Cape Town and will have a brief stop at Stellenbosch where we visit the tram-workshop. Dinner and overnight stay in Cape Town.

24. May 2026
Cape Town also has a new "tourist tram," which we will visit and ride today. The route is 1.5 km long and a complete new construction. After the visit to the tram, the day is at leisure. Some participants have already expressed their interest to visit the southern metro lines that run close to the beaches... Overnight in Cape Town.
OPTION: ride ride the legendary cable car up to the Table Mountain (weather permitting). In the evening, embark on a sunset-cruise in front of the city´s skyline and return to the famous Waterfront for dinner. Overnight in Cape Town.

25. May 2026
In the morning, we return to the airport and fly to Victoria Falls. We arrive there around noon and enter Zimbabwe. An exclusive group transfer will take you directly to the Insika Lodge. The lodge is located just a few hundred meters from the mighty Zambezi River, and it's not uncommon to see elephants, buffalo, or warthogs roaming the grounds! Please do not feed or touch them. Dinner and overnight stay at the Insika Lodge.
OPTION: for those seeking a more immersive safari experience, a private plane will take you further south, offering an aerial view of Hwange National Park. You'll land at the Bomani Airstrip, where drivers in 4x4 cars will be waiting to take you the remaining 15 km to your accommodation. Enjoy dinner "under the stars" and an overnight stay at Camelthorne Lodge or Bomani Tented Lodge.

While this option is the most scenic, it also comes with a significant cost: private plane, 5-star luxury lodge, private jeep safari without other guests, tram charter, and national park fees. Unfortunately, a ride on the tram is only possible with a booking at the lodge, which doesn't operate the tram for fun, but rather as the only sensible way for guests to get to and from the lodge, as the roads in the area aren't passable at all times of the year. The lodge, on the edge of the famous Ngamo Plains of Hwange National Park, is worth every penny; the exclusive villas are nestled in one of the park's last untouched acacia forests. The woodland landscape, dotted with various waterholes, attracts wildlife and a dazzling array of birdlife. The sister lodge, Bomani Tented Camp, also offers unparalleled 5-star comfort and guaranteed wildlife viewing. Accommodation at each lodge is determined by the number of bookings.

26. May 2026
After breakfast, the bus departs from Insika Lodge for Dete. Dete is an important junction and staff exchange station on the Zimbabwean National Railway (NRZ), located about 180 km south of Victoria Falls. The bus journey will take approximately 3 hours, partly due to road conditions. If all goes according to plan, the bus will arrive at Dete station around 11:30 am. Half an hour later, the Elephant Express tram should arrive from the south, offering several photo opportunities. Of course, NRZ or private railway companies might also be at the station with their freight trains. If there are a few minutes to spare on the way to Dete, we will make a brief stop in Hwange to photograph the steam locomotive from the local coal mine, which is on display there as a monument.

OPTION: if you have stayed overnight at the national park, you will depart for a safari in the park at dawn. Accompanied by experienced rangers, you will experience the wildlife of Hwange National Park: elephants, rhinos, buffalo, antelopes, lions, and crocodiles live here. Afterwards, breakfast at the lodge and return to Dete by tram. The "Elephant Express" covers the 70 km route on the Zimbabwean State Railway tracks in two hours. I hope we'll get some photo opportunities of animals and trams along the way, without us becoming the animals' lunchtime mascots... Every 10 km there's a siding, a passing loop where the tram occasionally has to pull aside to let the scheduled trains pass.

In Dete, all participants meet up. The bus will take us back to Victoria Falls. Because it's Tuesday, the legendary dinner train operated by the private train company Bushtracks is also running. The train departs from Victoria Falls station, first heading up to the famous Victoria Falls Bridge over the falls for sunset, and then continues on Zimbabwean tracks to the next passing loop at Jafuta. There, the train is stabled, and we enjoy a four-course dinner. "Formal Casual" is the dress code for the special train: no shorts, no sloppy clothing... Return journey to Victoria Falls by train in the late evening, transfer to the Insika Lodge. 

The steam locomotive scheduled for the Bushtrack train is currently undergoing a major overhaul but is expected to be operational again in May. If not, diesel traction will be used. Booking the Bushtrack train is optional but must be done at the time of booking your trip.

Those not traveling on the train will have dinner at the lodge. Overnight stay at the Insika Lodge Victoria Falls.

27. May 2026
A tram also operates in Victoria Falls: the "Bamba Tram." The tram's regular service consists of an early morning trip to the bridge for sunrise, but offers few photo opportunities, as large sections of the line are still in shadow. I therefore chartered the tram after its regular service for a photo charter to the bridge and back. I expect 4-5 photo stops each way. Afterwards, we visit the legendary Victoria Falls Hotel from the British colonial era and take a guided tour explaining the history of the falls. We stop for lunch (included in the tour price) at the legendary "Lookout Café" - a perfect name for the cafe´s location with a fantastic view of the falls' gorge. In the afternoon, we cruise toward the sunset along the Zambezi River. Overnight in Victoria Falls.

28. May 2026
After breakfast, we cross the border into Zambia and visit the Railway Museum in the border town of Livingstone, where we suspect another historic narrow gauge tram car from the days of regular service in what was then "Rhodesia." This is followed by a visit to the national park on the Zambian side of the Falls, including the opportunity to get soaked by the spray from the Falls on the way to the best photo locations! Livingstone is also the starting point for the famous helicopter flights over the Falls, which are not part of the organized tour program, but which I highly recommend to every participant! We return to Zimbabwe before the border post closes for the night and have dinner at Baines Restaurant, followed by a visit to the Simunye Show in the Victoria Falls Open Air Theater. The show is a breathtaking blend of dance, music, and puppetry. Overnight stay in Victoria Falls.

29. May 2026
Free time in the morning, followed by a transfer to the airport and flight home. Or you can extend your stay individually – send me an email with your ideas! Arrival in Europe the next day (30. May 2026).

FLIGHTS
The flight logistics of this trip are a challenge, as there are hardly any suitable connections between our destinations Addis, Port Louis and South Africa/Zimbabwe, not to mention direct flights between Addis and Port Louis.
The basic flight plan looks like this: if you only want to book Addis Ababa and Port Louis, you'll fly with Turkish Airlines (TK) via Istanbul. TK has flights to Addis Ababa and Port Louis that fit the itinerary. If you're also booking South Africa, I suggest flights with Ethiopian Airlines: Frankfurt-Addis-Johannesburg and Victoria Falls-Addis-Europe. Within Southern Africa and to Mauritius, we use Airlink or South African Airways. There are also alternatives with Emirates via Dubai. Please inquire if you're interested.

If you would like to book your own flights, I will gladly send you the key details upon request, which will allow you to connect with the group for transfers or other activities. I'd like to reiterate that I have access to special flight fares for tour operators, which aren't always the "cheapest," but offer the invaluable advantage of being able to hold a reservation, even for the most affordable fares, up to two months before departure without incurring any additional charges. If you'd like to join the trip, I recommend contacting me as early as possible so I can secure your reservation at the best flight prices—even if you can't book immediately!

PRICES
Please note that the prices listed are per destination country. You can therefore freely combine various parts of the tour. All optional activities must be booked at the time of booking. For organizational reasons, spontaneous on-site requests to participate cannot be accommodated.

Ethiopia (13.-14. May 2026, Tourist Day):
420 € for 6-7 participants, 435 € for 5 participants, 450 € for 4 participants, 480 € for 3 participants (prices per person). 
Included services: Airport transfer upon arrival with Ethiopian Airlines (ET) around 5:30 a.m. on 13. May 2026, full-day city tour, local English-speaking guide, hotel in a shared double room (single supplement: 65 €). Transfer to the hotel outside of ET arrival hours: 80 € per person.
Minimum of 3 participants, maximum of 7. Registration deadline: January 31, 2026; after that date, please inquire.

Ethiopia (14.-16. May, 2026):
   980 € per person for participation in the core tram program only (excluding hotels, transfers, meals, flights, etc.) ¹
1.860 € per person in a shared double room (package deal, excluding flights) ²
   235 € single room supplement ²
     80 € transfer to/from the hotel outside of ET flight hours ²
Minimum number of participants: 15, maximum number of participants: 25. Registration deadline: 31. January 2026; after that date, please inquire.

South Africa (16.-17. May 2026, transit to Mauritius):
Bookable only if you reserve your Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa to Johannburg on 16. May through me.
   250 € per person in a shared double room.
     60 € single room supplement.
Minimum 15 participants, maximum 25. Registration deadline: 31. January 2026; after that date, please inquire.

Mauritius (17.-20. May 2026):
   865 € per person for participation in the core tram program only (excluding hotels, transfers, meals, flights, etc.) ¹
1.690 € per person in a shared double room (package deal, excluding flights) ²
   360 € single room supplement ²
Minimum number of participants: 15, maximum number of participants: 25. Registration deadline: 31. January 2026; after that date, please inquire.

South Africa (20.-25. May 2026):
2.790 € per person in a shared double room 
   340 € single room supplement.
Optional services:
20 € Rovos Rail on 21. May 2026
65 € Cape Town sightseeing on 24. May 2026
Minimum number of participants: 12, maximum: 20. Registration deadline: 31. January 2026; after that date, please inquire.

Zimbabwe (25.-29. May 2026):
2.990 € per person in a shared double room for bookings made by 31. December 2025
3.260 € per person in a shared double room for bookings made from 1. January 2026
   260 € single room supplement
Optional services:
1.495 € Exclusive Elephant Express package (25. - 26. May 2026)
   220 € Bushtracks´ dinner train (26. May 2026)
Minimum of 12 participants, maximum of 20. Registration deadline: January 31, 2026; after that date, please inquire.

The exclusive Elephant Express package includes: private plane flight from Victoria Falls to Bomani Air Strip, overnight stay with breakfast and dinner at Camelthorne Lodge or Bomani Tented Lodge, game drive, Elephant Express train ride to Dete, and all transfers.

SERVICES Ethiopia
Overnight stays in a 4-star hotel in a double room with breakfast², lunch and dinner as per program², tram program and excursions as per itinerary¹², photo permits where necessary¹², specialist tour manager Luc Koenot (German, English, French, Dutch speaking)¹², overall tour manager Peter Patt (German, English, French speaking)¹²

SERVICES South Africa 16.-17. May, 2026
Accommodation in a 4-star hotel at Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport in a double room with breakfast and dinner as per program, tram program and  excursions as per description, photo permits where necessary, specialist tour manager Luc Koenot (German, English, French, Dutch speaking), overall tour manager Peter Patt (German, English, French speaking)

SERVICES Mauritius
Overnight stays in a 4-star hotel in a double room with breakfast², lunch and dinner as per program², tram program and excursions as per itinerary¹², photo permits where required¹², sunset catamaran trip in Port Louis¹², specialist tour manager Luc Koenot (German, English, French, Dutch speaking)¹², overall tour manager Peter Patt (German, English, French speaking)¹²

SERVICES South Africa (20.-25. May 2026)
Accommodation in a 4-star hotel in a double room with breakfast, lunch and dinner as per program, tram program and excursions as per itinerary, visit of the Transport Museums in Johannesburg and Kimberley, lunch reception with Rovos Rail in Pretoria, photo permits where required, cable car ride to Table Mountain (if the cable car is operating), Wine Tram Franchhoek, workshop Stellenbosch, sunset cruise in Cape Town, specialist tour manager Luc Koenot (speaking German, English, French, and Dutch), overall tour manager Peter Patt (speaking German, English, and French)

Services Zimbabwe
Flight Vic Falls - Bomani airstrip (Hwange National Park) with 20 kg bag limitation, Accommodation in a 5-star hotel/lodge in a double room with breakfast, lunch and dinner as per program, Hwange National Park wildlife safari in a private jeep, tram program an excursions as per itinerary, photo permits where required, Bushtrack dinner train, sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, Simunye Show, specialist tour manager Luc Koenot (speaking German, English, French, and Dutch), overall tour manager Peter Patt (speaking German, English, and French)

NOT INCLUDED (in all parts of the trip):
Visa,
tips (approx. 10-15 € per day/participant),
personal expenses,
travel insurance (luggage, international health, trip cancellation).

FRANCHHOEK Wine Tram
As previously mentioned, the Wine Tram is not organizing a special program for us. However, it is possible to book their standard itineraries, which include wine tastings and lunch options to varying degrees. You can find all currently available programs on the Wine Tram website  (in English). The number of participants for these events is very limited (12-15 people per event), and early booking is recommended. Since these programs typically take up the entire day, there will be little time for other tram photography or rides, and the afternoon workshop visit in Stellenbosch will have to be omitted for those who have booked these programs. Pick-up by our group bus at the end of the Wine Tram-programs in Franchhoek is guaranteed.

GOOD TO KNOW
For all countries visited (except Mauritius), a visa and a passport valid for at least 6 months after departure (!) are required. Very important: South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia also require that your passport contain at least 6 blank pages, including at least 2 blank, facing pages. These blank pages must be present upon entry into the respective country. And if you fly via Johannesburg again on your way back from Victoria Falls, you will need to obtain another stamp! Please take these regulations seriously; if there are not enough blank pages available, you may be denied entry. The tour operator is not liable in these cases, and you will have to find your own way to continue your journey or get home.

For Ethiopia, the visa should be applied for online in advance as an "e-visa." For South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, visas are issued upon entry. Most visas require a fee. All details for German citizens can be found on the Federal Foreign Office website. Participants from other countries should inquire about their entry requirements!

I expect moderate daytime temperatures around 20°C, plenty of sunshine, and hardly any rain. There is a risk of malaria in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Please note the vaccination requirements and precautionary measures, which you can find on the web.

Tour operator for this tour is Lernidee Erlebnisreisen GmbH, whose terms and conditions can be found here.

© Photos on this page: Peter-H. Patt, Franchhoek Wine Tram, Bamba Tram, Y. Yakulu, Maurice Express