AfrikaBurn 2024: The Ultimate Survival Guide

Each year, at the end of April, some 10,000 people make their way to South Africa’s Tankwa Karoo desert for the annual AfrikaBurn event. For one week only, the desert is magically transformed into a temporary community that comes together to celebrate creativity, self-expression, and communal living.  

AfrikaBurn is a truly awesome experience that to fully understand, you really just need to see with your own eyes. For some, attending AfrikaBurn is a life-changing experience. For others, it’s one wild and exciting week they look forward to experiencing year after year. 

No matter how you slice it, attending AfrikaBurn 2024 requires a great deal of planning, logistics and organisation. Not to worry though, we’ve got you covered with our extensive AfrikaBurn 2024 Survival Guide. 

What is AfrikaBurn? 

AfrikaBurn is an annual arts and culture gathering held in the Tankwa Karoo National Park in South Africa. 

The gathering is inspired by Nevada’s Burning Man event and shares many of its principles. It’s what’s known as a ‘Regional Burn’ – a smaller, Burning Man-style event that follows the same principles and is usually supported by the main one. Of all the Regional Burns around the world (and there are many), AfrikaBurn is the world’s largest.

Read: Cape Town’s Top 5 Coolest Neighbourhoods

AfrikaBurn provides a unique and transformative experience for those who attend, fostering a temporary community built on creativity, collaboration, and the shared values of its participants. It’s an event that goes beyond traditional festivals, emphasising participation, self-expression, self-reliance and the celebration of art and culture in a remote and awe-inspiring desert setting. 

AfrikaBurn’s principles directly influence how the event unfolds. Firstly, AfrikaBurn is entirely volunteer-driven. Importantly, AfrikaBurn is 100 % participant-driven. This means you, as the participant, are expected to bring in everything you need to survive but also contribute to the event in some way. You don’t just attend AfrikaBurn, you co-create it. Don’t worry, that’s the fun part.  

Guiding Principles of AfrikaBurn

AfrikaBurn is guided by a set of principles that shape the culture and ethos of the event. These principles are inspired by the ten principles of Burning Man (+ an extra one for good measure) and help create a unique and participatory experience for attendees.

The guiding principles of AfrikaBurn are:

1. Radical Inclusion
2. Gifting
3. Decommodification
4. Radical Self-Reliance
5. Radical Self-Expression
6. Communal Effort
7. Civic Responsibility
8. Leaving No Trace
9. Participation
10. Immediacy
11. Each One, Teach One

These principles are foundational to AfrikaBurn and influence how the event unfolds. It’s these guiding principles that make AfrikaBurn what it is: a temporary community that celebrates creativity, self-expression, self-reliance and participation. 

AfrikaBurn 2024 Dates

AfrikaBurn dates vary slightly each year but usually fall on the last week of April. The AfrikaBurn 2024 dates are April 29 to May 5. 

Read: Uncover South Africa’s Hidden Gems

How Long is AfrikaBurn? 

AfrikaBurn lasts a full week, but you do not need to stay for the entire event. In fact, the majority of people only stay for a few days. 

In our experience, we think around 4 (or 5)  nights is a good amount of time to spend at AfrikaBurn 2024. This allows you enough time to fully immerse yourself in the experience and provides you with plenty of opportunities to explore the unique and interesting spaces. Of course, if you want to do all 7, that’s fine too. 

Pro tip: if possible, we suggest staying for the final night (Sunday night). The final night is the Temple Burn, which is considered the most sacred place at AfrikaBurn. After an influx over the weekend, most people depart on Sunday day, so the mood is much mellower. From all the Burns we have been to, we always find the final night to be the most special. 

AfrikaBurn 2024 Location

AfrikaBurn takes place in the Tankwa Karoo National Park in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. AfrikaBurn is approximately 280 kilometres north of Cape Town.

The GPS coordinates for AfrikaBurn’s 2024 location are 32°28’57.5″S 19°53’51.4″E. 

Important: you can’t just input these into Google Maps and expect the app to direct you there correctly. You must triple-check the directions as AfrikaBurn is located in a very rural area with bad roads and in our experience, Google will try to direct you down many incorrect roads. Translation: if you don’t pay close attention, many variables can go wrong.

Be sure to check out this page, for everything you need to know about the AfrikaBurn 2024 location and detailed directions to AfrikaBurn 2024. 

AfrikaBurn 2024 Tickets

All Afrikaburn 2024 tickets must be purchased via their official partner Quicket through this link. AfrikaBurn 2024 tickets must only be purchased through these channels as there are a lot of scammers out there. Don’t trust third-party websites such as Viagogo or sellers on Facebook. 

Related: Is South Africa Safe to Visit in 2024?

AfrikaBurn 2024 general ticket sales begin at 12 pm (SAST) on 4th December and are available until sold out. 

If you’re driving a vehicle, you’ll also need to purchase an E-Toll, aka vehicle pass via this page. 

Afrikaburn 2024 Ticket Prices 

AfrikaBurn 2024 tickets work on a tiered system and prices fall into 3 different categories:

• Mayday (includes the price of a standard ticket plus a sizable donation) – 5499 ZAR (approx. $289 USD)
• New Horizons (includes the price of a standard ticket plus a smaller donation)  – 3799 ZAR (approx. $200 USD)
• General Ticket Sales – 2799 ZAR (approx. $147 USD)

Pro tip: if your international card gets blocked when booking things on foreign websites, try using a Wise card. It’s how we booked our AfrikaBurn tickets and it’s never once let us down!

AfrikaBurn 2024 Resale Tickets

If you miss out on getting AfrikaBurn 2024 tickets, no need to fret as resale tickets pop up frequently (especially a month or two before the event). Last year we missed out on getting tickets but we were able to get resale tickets a month before AfrikaBurn. 

To snag yourself an AfrikaBurn 2024 resale ticket, you need to create an account with Quicket and be sure to check the AfrikaBurn 2024 tickets page every week or so to see if any tickets pop up. 

We found that come March, lots of tickets started popping up. 

Read: 15 Awesome Things to Do in Johannesburg

How to Get to AfrikaBurn 2024

Getting to AfrikaBurn is an experience in and of itself. This is mainly due to the bumpy dirt roads one must take to travel there and the unreliable nature of GPS apps that can easily lead you astray. 

How to Get to Afrikaburn 2024 from Overseas

If you’re travelling to AfrikaBurn 2024 from overseas, the closest international airport is Cape Town International Airport. The airport is accessed by several major international airlines and getting a flight into Cape Town is pretty easy. 

Looking for cheap flights? We always use Skyscanner to find the best details.

Driving to AfrikaBurn 2024

If you’re self-driving to AfrikaBurn 2024, you must pay close attention to the directions and double-check that you have at least one spare tyre and a fully working jack. We cannot stress this enough – on our way into AfrikaBurn, we passed many, many cars with flat tires. Make sure you are prepared!

The roads leading to AfrikaBurn are notoriously bad, particularly R355 which is a dirt road with many large potholes and washboard bumps. If you have an air compressor, we suggest letting some air out in your tires for a smoother ride and to lessen the chance of getting a flat. 

Also, drive slow! The roads going to the AfrikaBurn site (Quaggafontein) are pretty dusty, so please don’t rally car-drive and throw a bunch of dust into other drivers’ screens. 

Remember: keep it slow, take your time and enjoy the ride.  

How to rent a car for AfrikaBurn 2024

Hiring a car is a popular option for those wishing to travel to AfrikaBurn independently.

While you could technically travel to AfrikaBurn in a small vehicle, it’s recommended that, due to the road conditions, you choose something more rugged such as an SUV or a 4×4. 

We recommend going for option 2 and hiring a 4×4 that is kitted out for camping. This will be your most reliable option plus it will come with lots of useful camping items such as a cooking stove, rooftop tent, camping chairs, tables, etc., which will make your time at AfrikaBurn 2024 A LOT more comfortable. Trust us on this one! 

Pro tip: use Discover Cars to find the best deals on rentals.

How to Get to AfrikaBurn 2024 from Capetown

To get to AfrikaBurn 2024 from Cape Town, take the N1 North, passing Paarl, Worcester and De Doorns. 10km before you reach Touwsrivier, 160km from Cape Town, take the LEFT onto the R46, towards Ceres. If you need to fill up on fuel, do so – Worcester or Touwsrivier are your last chances.

This road continues for approximately 40km and ends in a T-junction. At the T-junction turn RIGHT onto the tyre-munching R355 towards Calvinia and Sutherland. Approximately 100m on, you’ll hit the dirt.

Stay on the R355 towards Calvinia and the Tankwa Padstal, where you’ll see a giant crashed flying saucer just outside it. The Padstal is a great place to stretch your feet and the last WiFi you’ll have for a while, so if you need one last check-in with friends and family, this is it. Once you’re fully refreshed, get back on the R355 heading north towards the Tankwa Karoo National Park.

About 22km from the Tankwa Padstal, you’ll see a turn-off to your right, that is also signposted “Tankwa Karoo National Park”. Take this turning that heads east towards Quaggafontein (i.e., AfrikaBurn).

Continue along this road for about 33km and then the entrance to Quaggafontein (and AfrikaBurn) will be on your right-hand side.

Related: 12 Epic Cape Town Hiking Trails + Essential Tips

How to get to AfrikaBurn 2024 from Johannesburg 

From Johannesburg, take the N1 South to Bloemfontein/Cape Town. Stay on the N1 through Colesburg, Hanover and Richmond.

From Richmond travel 64km on the N1 and turn right onto the R63 to Victoria West. Travel on the R63 through Victoria West and follow the road and signs to Calvinia.

Note: Do not attempt to go via the R354 (Middlepos) road. It is in an extremely bad state and will take you 8 hours to do the 180 km or so to Quaggafontein.

Calvinia is the last place where you can get supplies (water, gas, petrol, etc.), so if you need them, get them. There are no shops after Calvinia.

Do NOT drive faster than 70km per hour under any circumstances, or in any vehicle, at any time along this gravel road!

Continue along this road for about 90km and then the entrance to Quaggafontein (and AfrikaBurn) will be on your left-hand side.

Alternative route: Continue to travel carefully along the R355 for approximately 140km. Do not turn off, but rather follow the R355 down past Stonehenge/Tankwa Tented Camp

AfrikaBurn Weather 

While the weather in the Karoo is generally pleasant at the end of April (highs in the upper 20’s (Celsius), lows in the mid-teens), the weather at AfrikaBurn is also notoriously unpredictable. Daytime highs can hit the mid 40’s and nights can get very chilly. Wind and rain are also a big factor and storms have wreaked havoc on camps in the past.

So in short, be prepared for anything when it comes to the weather at AfrikaBurn. Check the forecast here leading up to AfrikaBurn 2024 so you have an idea of what’s coming. 

When we were at AfrikaBurn in 2023, we had pretty mild weather. The days were cooler than normal and a lot of the nights were downright chilly. We wore pants most days and our down jackets at night. But in other years, it has been hot as hell, to the point where jackets weren’t even needed at night.  

Read next: The Top 5 Coolest Neighbourhoods in Johannesburg

AfrikaBurn Theme Camps 

One of the major components of AfrikaBurn are the theme camps. These are camps created by volunteers and organised around a larger theme. They usually host events, workshops or music revolving around that theme. 

There are literally dozens of theme camps at AfrikaBurn. The theme camps vary widely, from rave-based with all-night parties to ones focusing on Mongolian tea ceremonies (seriously). 

Part of the fun of AfrikaBurn is just walking around, discovering different theme camps and what they offer. 

Joining a Theme Camp at AfrikaBurn 2024

Many people who go to Burns join a theme camp, as most of your logistics are sorted for you.

Joining a theme camp at AfrikaBurn can be a fantastic way to enhance your experience, contribute to the community, and connect with like-minded individuals. It’s certainly not mandatory to join a theme camp at AfrikaBurn, (we chose not to) but it can be a great option for many attendees. 

Here are some reasons you may wish to join a theme camp at AfrikaBurn:

• You don’t know many people at the Burn and are looking for a fun group of people to share the experience with;
• You’re travelling independently and you don’t have much of your own gear;
• You’d like to experience being part of a big communal group;
• You’re short on time and would prefer someone to help organise event logistics such as camping equipment, water and food for you.  

If you think you’d like to join a theme camp at AfrikaBurn 2024, here are some details/tips (from friends who have in the past): 

• Research Theme Camps. If you’re looking to join an AfrikaBurn theme camp, one of the best places to start is this Facebook group.  Make sure to look for camps that align with your interests and values. 
• Ask Questions. Inquire about the camp’s requirements, expectations, and any fees associated with joining. Ask about the camp’s activities, goals, and the level of commitment expected from participants.
• Share Your Skills. Theme camps often value participants with diverse skills. If you have specific talents, whether it’s in art, performance, construction, cooking, or any other area, emphasize how you can contribute to the camp’s overall theme and atmosphere.
• Contribute Resources. Consider what resources you can bring to the theme camp. This might include camping equipment, tools, food, or any other supplies that benefit the entire camp.
• Be Open-Minded and Flexible. Theme camps are diverse communities, and being open-minded and flexible is essential. Be ready to collaborate, adapt to the camp’s culture, and contribute positively to the overall experience.
• Immerse Yourself in Camp Activities. Fully immerse yourself in the theme camp experience by participating in activities, workshops, and collaborative projects. Engage with your fellow camp members and contribute to the vibrant community spirit.

What is AfrikaBurn Like?

Okay, now that we’ve drilled down what AfrikaBurn is, here’s the big question: what is AfrikaBun like?

AfrikaBurn, like all Burns, has a big reputation. But what is AfrikaBurn really like? Is it a satanic-drug-fuelled-orgy for 7 straight days? Well, yes and no. Just kidding, it’s a hard no on that one.

Tankwa Town

As we’ve mentioned, AfrikaBurn 2024 is a temporary city, Tankwa Town, based on the AfrikaBurn guiding principles (see above).

Tankwa Town really does feel like a city, with groups of theme camps clustered in certain areas and the Binnekring in the middle. While there are no official ‘stages’, the theme camps do put on music and workshops. And while there is a schedule, it’s really a go-with-the-flow atmosphere. 

In the centre, there are dozens of different art installations, most of which will be burnt at some point over the event. There’s a burn schedule each night, posted at HQ, which tells you the time and place for that night’s burning. 

Walking at Tankwa Town

To see all of this and take it all in, expect to walk a lot. Like, a lot (we were averaging around 20,000 steps a day). You can also bring a bike and cycle around Tankwa Town, but in our experience, we didn’t feel it was necessary because the site isn’t that big. 

One of the best parts of AfrikaBurn is just walking around and seeing what happens. With so many interesting things happening in different parts, every day you’ll stumble across cool theme camps putting on an event or a fun workshop. It’s like playtime, for adults. 

For example, one of our highlights from AfrikaBurn 2023 was randomly finding a workshop on the Koi people, the first peoples of Southern Africa. We had no idea it was happening and we just came across it. It was awesome! 

Inclusivity

If there’s another thing we want to stress, it’s that AfrikaBurn is inclusive. It’s open to anyone and there’s no set demographic it caters to. Yes, there are lots of 20-somethings, but we also met heaps of retirees who were attending for the first time (and plenty who were seasoned Burners). There are families, young people, toddlers – you name it. AfrikaBurn really is for anyone, which is another part of its beauty. 

Spaces are also inclusive and open to everyone. You’ll find fun mutant cars roaming around – hop on one! And also a ton of art cars with music – go upstairs and join the party. This is part of the experience and the more you engage, the better your experience will be. 

What to Expect at AfrikaBurn 2024

Now that you know a bit more about AfrikaBurn and what’s it like, here is everything you need to know on what to expect at AfrikaBurn 2024. 

Camping at AfrikaBurn 2024

Camping at AfrikaBurn is a big part of the experience. Camping occurs on a first come first served basis and, unless you’re with a theme camp, you cannot reserve a spot.  

If you’ve never camped in the desert before, prepare yourself! But seriously, prepare yourself. It’s a week in the desert. 

Here are some tips for camping at AfrikaBurn.

Choose the Right Campsite

When you arrive at AfrikaBurn, find a suitable spot for your camp. Depending on when you arrive, it can be very busy/full or quiet/empty. 

When choosing your AfrikaBurn campsite, consider the lay of the land, proximity to the playa, where the big soundstages are (i.e., very loud!), where the nearest toilet is, and the overall vibe of the area. 

If you’re looking for a quiet(ish) spot, there are designated quiet areas too (but really, they’re not that quiet).

Bring a Sturdy Tent + Comfortable Sleeping Gear

Choose a reliable and well-ventilated tent that can withstand desert conditions. The desert can be windy, so make sure your tent is securely staked.

Bring a comfortable sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Make sure to bring a pillow too. If you don’t have the space for an actual pillow, we really recommend a blow-up sleeping pillow – it’s a game-changer. 

Nights in the desert can be cold, so ensure you have warm layers for sleeping. Also, if you plan on sleeping, don’t forget to pack earplugs. Good ones. 

Pro tip: if you need to pick up camping gear in Cape Town or Johannesburg, then Outdoor Warehouse and Camb and Climb are your best bets. They’re both super well-stocked and will have anything you may need. 

Shade Structure

Set up a shade structure or use your tent’s rainfly to create shade during the hot days. Shade is essential for staying cool and comfortable in the desert heat.

Dust Protection

The desert environment can be dusty. Seal your belongings in plastic bags or containers to protect them from dust. 

Consider using a dust mask or bandana to cover your face during sandstorms and blow your nose regularly to get all the gross black dirt out of it. 

Lighting

Bring reliable lighting such as headlamps, flashlights, or solar-powered lanterns. The desert can be pitch black at night, and good lighting is essential for navigation and safety. 

Trust us, it’s very difficult to find your camp at night without some sort of light!

Camp Furniture

Consider bringing lightweight and collapsible camp furniture for added comfort, such as chairs tables or hammocks.

Please be responsible and pack it out properly when you leave – and please do not dispose of it on the side of the road on the way out! 

Leave No Trace

This is important: follow the principles of “Leave No Trace.” Pack out everything you bring in, including trash and recyclables and DO NOT dump them on the side of the road when leaving. 

When leaving AfrikaBurn, if you notice highway rubbish bins are full, please do not add bags of rubbish to them. The highways servicing AfrikaBurn are very remote and the bins are not changed frequently. 

Cashless Community and Self-Reliance

AfrikaBurn is a cashless community. This means that you can’t buy anything at AfrikaBurn, with ice being the exception. No food trucks, cash bars or shops to peruse. 

Being cashless helps maintain the values of the burn, particularly radical self-reliance and it obliges participants to operate in creative and community-minded ways. 

What does this mean for you? Be prepared! You need to have all of your food and water sorted for the entire duration you will be at Tankwa Town. If you’re staying in a theme camp, they’ll most likely sort out meals. If you’re doing it independently, well, it’s up to you. Make sure you pack enough food and more importantly, water. 

Travel insurance, as always, is essential. If something goes wrong, you want to be covered. Our preference is SafetyWing. Trust us, we’ve used a lot of travel insurance and they really are the best.

AfrikaBurn 2024: Food and Water

When planning out your food and water for AfrikaBurn 2024, make sure you have 3L of drinking water per person per day. In addition, you need water for cleaning (yourself and your dishes) and other ancillary uses. As a good rule of thumb, bring a minimum of 6L per person per day. 

For ideas for food, bring a mixture of warm and cold meals, with an emphasis on easy-to-prepare and non-perishable. Some people can survive on muesli bars (i.e., granola bars) for an entire week, but it’s not fun. If you have cooking gear, a hot meal every now and then tastes amazing. Both pasta and quesadillas are easy to make and delicious. 

Snacks such as apples, muesli bars and crisps are great to load up in your backpack and carry around Tankwa Town with you for a quick refuel.

As you’re packing food, think about waste. Remember, what you bring in must come out– and that includes trash. 

Gifting at AfrikaBurn 2024

Gifting is an important part of AfrikaBurn. What is gifting? Well, at AfrikaBurn, participants are encouraged to give an item, a service, or an experience, without the expectation of receiving something in return. 

Gifting is something that makes AfrikaBurn truly unique and we encourage everyone to get involved in the gifting process in some way. 

When choosing your gift, remember that it doesn’t need to be anything physical. We were given many thoughtful gifts at AfrikaBurn however, to be honest, most of what we received (necklaces etc.) ended up in the bin. 

Instead of giving anything physical, we opted to give experiences and spread some joy. For one day, we dressed up as police and handed out tickets to people for offences like “having too much fun”, “being too good of a friend” or “being dressed too fabulously”. These acts were really well received and helped foster an environment of positivity and playfulness. 

We’ve done similar things at other Burns in the past, and they’re a lot of fun. What kind of experience can you create at AfrikaBurn 2024?

AfrikaBurn Outfits

Wondering what to wear for AfrikaBurn 2024? We don’t blame you! You’ve probably seen pictures online of all the fantastic and elaborate AfrikaBurn outfits and are wondering what to do. 

Essentially, you can wear whatever you want at AfrikaBurn 2024 – and we mean this literally. You can dress up in crazy AfrikaBurn outfits, or you can dress in the regular clothes you normally wear. It’s up to you. Some people love dressing up and going all out, others can’t be bothered. When we attended AfrikaBurn, Zandy wore fancy dress most of the time, whilst Dotti just wore regular clothing. Whichever you choose is right. 

If you want to get dressed up or make some nice whimsical Afrikaburn outfits, here are some tips for Afrikaburn outfits:

• Costumes: Many Afrikaburn attendees wear costumes that reflect their creativity and individuality. This can range from elaborate and theatrical costumes to more subtle and thematic outfits.
• Bright and Colorful Clothing: Embrace bold and vibrant colours. Brightly coloured fabrics, accessories, and body paint can add to the festive atmosphere of the event.
• DIY and Upcycled Fashion: Create your outfits using do-it-yourself (DIY) techniques or upcycled materials. Afrikaburn is an excellent opportunity to showcase your crafting skills and unique style.
• Funky Accessories: Statement accessories such as hats, scarves, jewellery, and sunglasses can elevate your outfit. Look for items that are quirky, unusual, or have a playful touch.
• Body Paint: Express yourself with body paint. Many attendees use body art to enhance their AfrikaBurn outfits and contribute to the overall visual spectacle of Afrikaburn.
• Light-Up Clothing: Incorporate LED lights, glow sticks, or other illuminated elements into your outfit. This not only adds to your visibility during nighttime activities but also contributes to the magical ambience of the event.
• Comfortable and Practical Attire: Keep in mind the desert environment and choose clothing that is comfortable and practical. Lightweight, breathable fabrics are essential, especially during the hot days, while warmer layers may be needed for cooler nights.
• Comfortable Footwear: Choose comfortable and durable footwear suitable for walking in the desert environment. Closed-toe shoes can protect your feet from the hot ground and potential debris.
• Hats and Headdresses: Craft your own hats or headdresses using materials like feathers, fabric, or even recycled items. This can be a fun and creative way to express your personality. If you’d like to have a professional hat or headdress made from you, be sure to check out the excellent Cape Town-based Beheaded and Beyond. They can be contacted on Instagram or mobile on: +27 082 882 9220. 

AfrikaBurn No Outfits: Nudity at AfrikaBurn

You’ve probably heard a lot about AfrikaBurn nudity. Yes, nudity is very present at AfrikaBurn, but in no way is it expected. 

The majority of nudity happens at night, after the burns. Each night, a few art installations are burned, and when the fire has been controlled, those who want to can run around the fire naked. You’ll also see people walking around Tankwa Town naked from time to time. If you would like to get involved, do so. If not, don’t worry about it. 

So expect to see lots of AfrikaBurn nudity, but don’t think you must get naked (neither of us ever have). 

AfrikaBurn Parties 

AfrikaBurn is known for its parties. And yes, there are tons of parties, and with that, drug and alcohol use. 

As with the AfrikaBurn nudity, whether you partake is up to you. We actually found open drug use at AfrikaBurn to be quite limited, particularly when compared with other festivals we have attended in Australia. 

If you’re not into drugs or alcohol and wondering whether you can have fun at AfrikaBurn 2024, know that Dotti has been a sober lady for 6 years and she had a great time at AfrikaBurn. 

Is AfrikaBurn Worth It? 

Wondering whether AfrikaBurn is worth it? Fair enough! It’s a massive undertaking – both in time, money and logistics. Going to AfrikaBurn is not something to be taken lightly! 

We had an awesome time at AfrikaBurn, so yes, we would say that AfrikaBurn is totally worth it. You’ll literally meet people from all walks of life: from kids to retirees and people from all over the world. Unlike what the media often shows for Burning Man, it actually caters to so many different types of people and you’ll probably be surprised with the diversity there. 

There are very few times in your life that you can go live in the desert for a week, in what feels like a completely different world. It’s a unique and special experience. 

As long as you come with an open mind and you’re okay with seeing things that are different from “regular life” (i.e. nudity and occasional open drug use), then yes, AfrikaBurn is for you. If you find things like this deeply uncomfortable and confronting, then it’s probably not for you. 

What to Pack for AfrikaBurn 2024

Planning ahead and being self-reliant are key aspects of preparing for AfrikaBurn. This isn’t one event where you can just rock up and party.

Here’s a comprehensive packing list to help you prepare for the big event.

Essential Items

• Ticket and Identification:
  • Ensure you have your AfrikaBurn ticket and a form of identification. Make sure your AfrikaBurn 2024 ticket is either printed or downloaded to your phone, as there is no reception at Quaggafontein. 
• Water:
  • Bring a sufficient supply of water for the duration of your stay. A general guideline is at least 6 litres per person per day (including water for cooking a washing up). 
• 2 x Reusable Water Bottles:
  • Have a durable and refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day and another to take advantage of any drink offerings such as pop-up bars, friendly neighbours, etc. 
• Food:
  • Pack non-perishable and easy-to-prepare food items. Consider high-energy snacks and meals.
• Cooler:
  • If you plan to bring perishable food, a cooler with ice packs can help keep items fresh. Ice can be purchased from AfrikaBurn HQ.
• Cooking Equipment:
  • Portable stove or camping cooker + gas
  • Cooking utensils and cookware
• Tent:
  • A sturdy and well-ventilated tent suitable for desert conditions.
• Sleeping Gear:
  • Sleeping bag appropriate for desert temperatures (ideally rated to -5C)
  • Sleeping pad for added comfort.
• Clothing:
  • Lightweight, breathable clothing for hot days.
  • Warm layers for cooler nights.
  • Comfortable shoes that are suitable for walking in the desert.
  • Hat and sunglasses for sun protection.
  • Dust mask or bandana for dust storms. A Buff also works well.
• Shade Structure:
  • Set up a shade structure for your campsite to provide relief from the sun.
• Lighting:
  • Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries.
  • Solar-powered lanterns or decorative lighting for your camp.
• Personal Essentials:
  • Toilet paper – none is provided
  • Baby wipes and hand sanitiser
  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.).
  • Medications and basic first aid kit.
  • Sunscreen with a high SPF.
• Trash Bags:
  • Bring multiple garbage bags for your campsite.
• Travel and Camping Gear:
  • Backpack for day trips.
  • Camping chairs or portable seating.
  • Compact and quick-drying towel.
• Communication:
  • Walkie-talkies or alternative communication devices, as there is no mobile coverage.
• Power Sources:
  • Power banks for electronic devices
  • Solar chargers

Optional/Theme-Related Items

• Costumes and Outfits:
  • Expressive and creative clothing and/or costumes
• Gifts:
  • Items for gifting to other participants.
• DIY and Craft Supplies:
  • Materials for creating art, costumes, or collaborative projects.
• Bike:
  • A bicycle for easier navigation around Tankwa Town.
• Musical Instruments:
  • If you play a musical instrument, let loose!

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