MTN Bushfire is held annually at House On Fire, a unique, iconic performance venue in the Malkerns Valley of Eswatini and will take place from 26 – 28 May 2023.
Globally infused, authentically African and proudly Eswatini, MTN Bushfire is one of Africa’s largest multicultural gatherings, illuminating the transformational power of the arts through our call to action for positive social and environmental change, #BRINGYOURFIRE. Every year, we welcome Fire Starters from over 60 countries for an energising and uplifting weekend, with an eclectic programme featuring some of the finest musical and artistic talents from across Africa and around the globe.
A conscious celebration of unity in diversity and an inspiring emblem of social inclusion, MTN Bushfire represents the kind of world we would all like to see – a global community of change-makers, thought leaders, and creative problem solvers who unite in a celebration of the arts and in the spirit of taking action against discrimination, environmental degradation and poverty.
MTN Bushfire 2023 – Border & Travel Updates
There are a number of new border requirements for non-residents / citizens traveling to Eswatini. To avoid border congestion, we advise you to get to MTN Bushfire early this year! With the official campsite opening on Thursday 25 May and congestion expected on Friday 26 May at key border points, guests are encouraged to travel on the Thursday and enjoy an extra day of the festival!
- The Ngwenya / Oshoek border point will see high traffic voulmes so we highly suggest you use Alternative Border Posts to avoid long waits at Ngwenya / Oshoek such as Sicunusa or Mahamba. Border information can also be found here: https://www.thekingdomofeswatini.com/how-to-get-there/
- Ngwenya/Oshoek : 24 Hours
- Sicunusa/Emahlatini (close to Piet Retief): open 08.00 – 18.00
- Mahamba/Mahamba (close to Piet Retief): open 07.00 – 22.00
- Jeppes Reef/Matsamo (close to Malelane): open 07.00 – 20.00
- Nerston/Sandlane (close to Amsterdam): open 08.00 – 18.00
- Bulembu/ Josefdal : 08.00 – 16.00
- PLEASE NOTE HEALTH DECLARATION & REQUIREMENTS: Health declaration form which can be downloaded from this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XX4Zch2djpqP41V98ZVKzZXAjSIlWQtq/view?usp=sharing On your day of travel, please print and fill in the form. Hand over the hard copy to a port health officer for screening upon arrival at the Point of Entry. This will help you save waiting time and queuing for screening.
- ROAD TAX PER VEHICLE: The road tax is now the equivilant of R100 payable at the border post for private vehicles.
- VEHICLE AUTHORISATION FORM: Please ensure that for those who still have vehicle financing, authority will be required to transport your car across the border.
- You will need a valid passport to enter Eswatini. You may also require an entry visa. Please check with your Embassy or the Eswatini Tourism Authority website for visa requirements. https://www.thekingdomofeswatini.com/visa-guide/
- PLEASE NOTE THAT SOUTH AFRICA MAY REQUIRE EXTRA DOCUMENTAION FOR TAKING CHILDREN THROUGH THE BORDER. CHILDREN WILL REQUIRE A FULL UNABRIDGED BIRTH CERTIFICATE-vTHE FULL REGULATIONS CAN BE VIEWED HERE.
2023 Festival Tips
- Have your tickets and accommodation booked: MTN Bushfire sells out every year, please ensure you have booked your tickets and accommodation in advance. Tickets are still available on the official website, as well as a range of travel and accommodation options. bush-fire.com
- Download the MTN Bushfire Festival app to plan your experience: use https://woov.app/vEDmp1rWsCLfqD487 to scan the QR code for the app.
- Book & Pay for Your Secure Parking Online: Secure Paid Parking at the MTN Bushfire festival, for R30 per day or R80 for the full festival! The 2023 parking lot is being revamped with improved security, more controls and improved safety of your vehicles. Beat the queue and get your parking ticket early! Pay online, https://mtnbushfire.howler.co.za/events/mtn-bushfire-2023-d7fb/tickets?ticket_type%5B%5D=408804,
Campsite Opening Times
The All Out Africa Campsite is opening on the Thursday before the festival. Campers can check in from 11 am on 25th May.
The check-in desk opening times for 2023 are:
- Thursday 11 am until midnight
- Friday 09:00 until 06:00
- Saturday 06:00 until midnight
Please note these arrival times and note that arrivals outside of check-in desk times will need to wait until the gates re-open.
Getting to MTN Bushfire
House On Fire is located between Mahlanya and Malkerns on the MR27 road, off the MR103, about 23km from the capital city, Mbabane, and a short 14km from Ezulwini.
Key in the following GPS coordinates – Elevation 756m – S 26’ 29.881 E031’ 13.110 to find us, or use the Google Map coordinates: -26.4981694, 31.2147246,16
Secure Parking
Introducing Secure Paid Parking at the MTN Bushfire festival, for R30 per day or R80 for the full festival! The 2023 parking lot is being revamped with improved security, more controls and improved safety of your vehicles. #GREENYOURFIRE and carpool with friends to share the expense or use the Park n’ Ride service offered by the festival to benefit the environment!
How paid parking works:
– Pay a fee of R30 per day on arrival at the official MTN Bushfire Car Park
– Pay R80 for a Full Fest official MTN Bushfire Car Parking Sticker. This will allow you in each day (have cash ready or use your NFC wristband once loaded.)
– Beat the queue and get your parking ticket early! Pay online, https://mtnbushfire.howler.co.za/events/mtn-bushfire-2023-d7fb/tickets?ticket_type%5B%5D=408804, for a full festival MTN Bushfire car parking.
MTN Bushfire is Cashless- Pre-Load Your festival funds!
MTN Bushfire is a CASHLESS festival: money is loaded onto your festival wristband NFC chip for in-festival purchases. Festivalgoers can Pre-Load funds onto their tickets via their Howler accounts to avoid the queues at the ATM and Top-Up Stations. Parking Tickets can be paid with the funds on your wristband chip too.
Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Please note that as of November 2022, ALL Covid-19 related restrictions and requirements for entry in to Eswatini have been removed and Eswatini is fully open to all visitors once again. However, airlines may have their own Covid-19 requirements, so be sure to check with your travel agent.
Your MTN Bushfire Festival Tickets
Bushfire tickets are strictly not for the purpose of resale. Do not purchase tickets from third party sellers, we can not guarantee that those tickets are genuine or have not been duplicated. In purchasing tickets from third party sellers you are doing so at your own risk, this includes complimentary tickets and traders tickets as well. MTN Bushfire does not create ticket bar codes.. MTN Bushfire is not responsible for the duplication of bar codes once they have been dispatched off the system to your email address. If you suspect that your ticket has been tampered with or the bar code might be compromised please contact us immediately at [email protected] prior to the festival. MTN Bushfire will not offer refunds on tickets that have been accessed at the gate
MTN Bushfire Festival App:
This year we’ve partnered with Woov, one of the global leaders in the Festival App space, to bring you our 2023 MTN Bushfire Festival App. This app is the all-in-one event app for our punters. Through this app you will be able to amplify your experience by connecting with others pre-event and get the digital tools you need to streamline your adventure. Link Your Facebook And Connect With Friends Coming To Bushfire
- Plan Your Event By Making A Personal Timetable
- Find Key Activations & Your Friends On The Map
- Stay In Touch With Your Group
Download the Woov festival app now from Google Play or App Store and select ‘MTN Bushfire’. Or use https://woov.app/vEDmp1rWsCLfqD487 to scan the QR code for the app.
What to Pack
Remember that in Eswatini the days are warm but the nights are cool – pack accordingly. Remember your hat, sunblock and mosquito repellent!
