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The AfrikaBurn event encyclopedia
In years past, this resource used to be called 'The survival guide to AfrikaBurn' and was printed out and distributed to participants at the event. However, a lot of the information required to 'survive' AfrikaBurn needs to be known long before you set foot in Tankwa Town, so today we have this resource - Quaggapedia - the online encyclopedia of everything you need to know about attending AfrikaBurn, the event.
If you're an old or new Burner, please take a bit of time to read through all the various sections and find out all about gifting, shitting and everything in between at AfrikaBurn.
This resource is maintained by volunteers from all around the world. If you want to volunteer and help us build this resource and make it as rich as possible, please contact [the Quaggapedia team] You can help us to enrich it and add information from your own AfrikaBurn experiences to help 'each one teach one'
The Basics
Let's start at the very beginning ... AfrikaBurn is a community of creative participants who gather once a year to create art, dress up, perform, build theme camps, make music, create and drive mutant vehicles and express themselves in a multitude of ways. AfrikaBurn is a registered NPC (Non-Profit Company), so we're not trying to sell you anything or influence you to do anything other than be yourself. The AfrikaBurn event is built with an extensive, collaborative volunteer community and gifting culture, with gifting of yourself; your enthusiasm, creativity energy and time being the most precious.
The main annual AfrikaBurn event takes place in the Tankwa Karoo, located between the Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa. The next event is from the 28th of April to the 4th of May 2025. You can find out more about getting tickets to AfrikaBurn here.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The ideals that provide guidelines to how we as a community reinvent Tankwa Town (and ourselves) when we attend AfrikaBurn.
IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING
Then make sure it's this page. It has the most basic of basic things you need to know before you enter Tankwa Town.
DECOMMODIFICATION
Nothing is for sale at AfrikaBurn - except Ice at Die Yskas.
PHONES, PHOTOS & PRIVACY IN TANKWA TOWN
AfrikaBurn is a 'Temporary Autonomous Zone', which means that you can be whoever you want to be in Tankwa Town. That also means that you need to respect the privacy of AfrikaBurn participants. Find out why it's a good idea to lose your mobile phone in Tankwa Town here.
GIFTING
What do you get as a gift for the person who has everything? Or has nothing? Gifting is a central aspect of AfrikaBurn and it's important to know how to give and receive a gift in the right way. Find out how to be a great gifter here.
AFRIKABURN DICTIONARY
There are loads of bizarre words and acronyms that the AfrikaBurn community has made up and adopted through the years. Make sure you know what MOOP is before you pack your glitter by reading more here. There is also a handy South African Slang page here.
Tankwa Town
Tankwa Town is the name of the temporary city that we build as a community of participants at every AfrikaBurn event. It's not like any other town or city you've been to before (even Black Rock City!). The first thing you're going to need to know is where on earth to find it. The journey to Tankwa Town can be long and treacherous, so please make sure you're ready for your epic journey by reading through this section of Quaggapedia.
GETTING THERE & DIRECTIONS
How to get to Tankwa Town. HOT TIP: Don't use GPS.
ON ARRIVAL
What do you need to get through the gate and into the event
GATE TIMES
Don't be late! Gates close on Friday.
WHEN IN TANKWA TOWN
Getting ready to explore Tankwa Town
TOILETS IN TANKWA TOWN
Our toilets have the best views, but no gold taps. Get toilet trained here.
SHOWERS IN TANKWA TOWN - There are none! There is no running water in Tankwa Town. You have to bring your own water to shower with. Read more here about how to dispose of said shower water: LEAVE NO TRACE
ETHICAL SUPPLIERS AND SUPPLIER DEPOT
Large camps and artworks often need support from the outside world, but we don't just let anyone on site in Tankwa Town. Find out more here.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Quaggafontein needs to look as pristine after the event as it did before. Find out how to leave no trace behind at AfrikaBurn here.
RADIO FREE TANKWA
The only source of up to date misinformation in Tankwa Town. Don't forget to bring a radio!
Get Involved
AfrikaBurn is a community driven event and has a gazillion different ways to get involved. Making and being art, volunteering on or off site or supporting other participants in a multitude of ways are just a few. Find out how you can get involved here:
BRINGING ART TO AFRIKABURN
AfrikaBurn wouldn't be what it is without art! All are invited to express themselves creatively and artistically by creating thoughtful, whimsical or provocative pieces to bring to the event.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteering is a cornerstone of the AfrikaBurn experience. In fact, the event could not exist without extensive help from its participants. Volunteering for the event will elevate your burn in surprisingly fulfilling ways. Find out how to volunteer in Tankwa Town here.
RANGERS
The guardians of our participants and our culture. Find out about being a part of the AfrikaBurn Rangers here.
DMV (Department of Mutant Vehicles)
Not all the art in Tankwa Town is fixed to the ground. Find out more about art cars and mutant vehicles here.
DPW (Department of Public Works)
The amazing group of people who build Tankwa Town and pack it away again afterwards.
SANCTUARY
A safe and supportive space if Tankwa Town gets overwhelming.
OUTREACH / COLLEXODUS
AfrikaBurn likes to leave the Karoo in a better state after the event has finished. Find out more here.
Survive and Thrive
BEFORE YOU GO, PREPARE
AfrikaBurn is not like any other event ... you need to get ALL your shit together before you take a trip to Tankwa Town.
FIRST TIME AT AFRIKABURN?
These tips cover the basics if you're brand new to Tankwa Town.
INTERNATIONAL BURNERS
Coming from far far away? Read this!
CAMPING ADVICE
Help and advice with setting up camp in Tankwa Town
PLUG-AND-PLAY CAMPS
AfrikaBurn is a decommodified, no profiteering zone, make sure you're keeping it that way!
BE WATERWISE
AfrikaBurn is held in a desert. Great if you're a xerocole, harder if you're a human being.
SOUND & QUIET
Doof doof doof doof doof doof.
CONSENT
HELL YES. Everyone must understand consent before entering Tankwa Town. Consent is more than just asking permission, so please educate yourself here so we can all feel safe burning with each other.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Keeping yourself and others safe in Tankwa Town.
PARENTING
We love having children in our Tankwa Town playground, but parenting in Tankwa Town is a unique challenge.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Cut a finger off when building an artwork? Ate the leftover curry and can't stop feeling sick? Funny cough after eating a raw bat for breakfast? You might need to use the medics in Tankwa Town.
FIRE & FIRE SAFETY
Planning an open fire in your camp? Brought a flamethrower to AfrikaBurn? You need be sure you don't endanger yourself or others.
ACCESSIBILITY
AfrikaBurn can be attended and enjoyed by anyone, regardless of physical, mental, or alternate restrictions. However, AfrikaBurn takes place in a very harsh desert, so we need to make sure that appropriate support structures are in place.
BIKING
Fully clothed or not, a bicycle is a good way to get around Tankwa Town.
MUTANT VEHICLES
Want to bring a giant snail to ride on? Then you'll need to register with the DMV.
RULES OF THE ROAD
There are not too many rules in Tankwa Town, but when it comes to death machines there are a few very important ones.
PLANES, DRONES & AIRCRAFTS
Planning on flying in for the afternoon? Looking for the Duty Free? Read this.
LOST AND FOUND
We have a lovely lost and found crew who can help you find missing objects, but not lost loves.
AfrikaBurn 2025
2025 AFRIKABURN THEME - OUT OF THE BLUE
2025 OUT OF THE BLUE POSTER - Suitable for printing.
FAQ's
Archive
2024 AFRIKABURN THEME - CREATION
2023 WHERE TO FIND (WTF) GUIDE
2023 AFRIKABURN THEME- SPACE.
Legal Stuff
Thank you for spending time on Quaggapedia and getting to know a bit more about AfrikaBurn before you arrive. You’re a rock star!
Please feel free to share this resource with anyone who you feel could use the information. The more participants who read it, the better the experience will be for everyone attending AfrikaBurn.
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