AfrikaBurn is one event that is a must-attend every year in my calendar. No decision needed. Go! 2026 was my 9th Burn. I’ve missed just one since 2015 and that was only because my daughter was getting married in England and France during the same week in 2016. My aspiration is to be a 100-year old Burner! I first went with my girlfriend – now wife after I proposed to her at AfrikaBurn – and have ever since, except for a couple of years when she couldn’t go. One is never alone at the Burn. Indeed, we often have days apart at AfrikaBurn.
Every Burn is different. Each one has a unique vibe, energy, artwork, feel and emotions. These are difficult to explain to those who haven’t been. They underline that AfrikaBurn is an experience and not a party or music festival. AfrikaBurn is what you make it or want it to be, for you, without expectation from self or others. It has a (wrong) reputation as a naked drug fest. Afrikaburn can without doubt be that if that’s the experience you want.
The Burn has so many facets and opportunities. Sure, it’s a demanding week – just getting to Quaggafontein is an experience in itself – and meant to be. Camping in the desert for a week with no electricity, water, shade, WiFi, showers or proper toilets, and money exchange, tests even a seasoned camper, let alone those who haven’t camped before. It is when life’s comforts are stripped bare and we are under a degree of stress that the ingredients are right for us to explore ourselves beyond normal daily boundaries. Add to that a non-judgmental environment and you have a recipe for self-exploration and growth that is truly long-lasting and, for many, life-changing.
Why do I go? As I said above, I go for the experience. No other festival or event comes near. It’s a chance to escape much of the demands of daily life and work. The lack of external connectivity – there’s no WiFi – frees us up and our time. There’s no agenda and no timetable. Sure, there’s hundreds of happenings at different times – rarely at times published if announced at all – and it’s always amazing to see after on social media numerous activities that you never saw or realised were happening. It matters not. Just enjoy living in the present with all the unpredictability it brings.
The art and sheer creativity at AfrikaBurn is wondrous. The originality and beauty too, whether sound or art or mutant vehicle or, simply, individuals. I shall never forget my intense sadness of the prospect of a truly breathtaking artwork being burned at my first Burn. How could something so stunning be deliberately destroyed? It was only as it burned that I appreciated the essence of how ephemeral and temporary life is, and how important to leave no trace. The latter, an AfrikaBurn Guiding Principle, is a great maxim for sustainable living. The cycle from bare desert, to build up of Tankwa Town, to the different vibe of night from day, to take-down, to return Quaggafontein to bare desert again is immensely impressive.
I go too for the joy of giving. Gifting is another Guiding Principle. Where else can you willing accept a huge piece of chocolate cake from two ladies dressed in colourful corsets on bicycles, as happened at my first Burn? Imagine that happening in your local hood and what you’d be thinking. Why me? What do they want? Is it ok? Should I accept? Afrikaburn strips away those fears and prejudices and shows us a life there ought to be.
Volunteering my time is another way of giving. I’ve volunteered at every AfrikaBurn and typically for around 40+ hours during the week. Ranger, welcoming Burners at Die Hek (the entrance gate), MOOP sweeps, at Lost & Found, as a Fire Marshal and Quad Lead, and in the Sanctuary. It’s a pleasure to give back and to participate. Others do so in different ways, whether in art projects or building mutant vehicles or sound rigs. I’ve always been a theme camp member with gifts ranging from pancakes to Burlesque shows to 24/7 teas and coffee.
Above all, I go for the amazing interaction with other Burners. There are no barriers. Unlike any festival or large scale event, you can literally walk into any camp and be welcomed. Afrikaburn is about ‘us’ not ‘self’. I’ve had the most incredible and random conversations with complete strangers from all backgrounds, countries, cultures and walks of life. No one is interested in your job or marital status or contact details or where you are on social media. Burners are interested in who you are, as simple as that. It sounds a small and simple thing but it’s massive. I welcome the broadening of background and Burner accessibility as the financial barrier is lowered through different subsidised ticketing schemes. There’s more to be done but I applaud the direction of travel, to reduced exclusiveness and increase inclusivity.
Last, there’s so much good to bring home to the default (‘normal’) world. I’ve mentioned volunteering and leaving no trace. The willingness to help and be there for others – Ranger ethos and culture – is forever present in me. Gifting without expectation of anything in return too is an immense privilege, whether ‘paying it forward’ at a supermarket till or buying coffees or ice creams for the workers at my local fuel station or agricultural merchant during cold/hot weather, or a super large tip at a restaurant, or any other act of random kindness. Gifting gives so much more than the financial sum involved. It makes the world a better place for all and puts a smile on people’s faces. Afrikaburn shows us and teaches us that. Now what could be more important as we go about our daily lives? Do go to AfrikaBurn if ever you have the chance. I’d wager that you won’t regret and have the experience of a lifetime. See you there in 2027!