INTERNATIONAL BURNERS

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Revision as of 21:43, 1 December 2022 by Kirk (talk | contribs) (Fleshed out some of the areas)
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With over half of our ticket holders coming from overseas, there are a few extra challenges that come with participating in AfrikaBurn namely … How the flip do you get from Timbuktu to Tankwa Town and how can you make sure you have enough ‘stuff’ to survive in the harsh desert.

You can read advice from our international AfrikaBurn community below:

ROADMAP SOS

Woohoo you're finally on the way to ticking that bucket list experience off, you've bought that coveted ticket to AfrikaBurn and you're one step closer to living your desert dreams. But wait what now?? Things can get overwhelming FAST and you haven't even stepped foot into the desert yet. Hmm - where to begin? A roadmap! Ah thank you divine AfrikaBurn Spirits, this will surely help to get started on your journey into the unknown.

1. Research Stage: Understanding AfrikaBurn

Best to start with the basics kiddo's, you better know what you signed yourself up for, am I right? Buckle up and hang on tight, a Burn might be a bumpy ride. You've made it onto the Quaggapedia already so this is definitely a great place to start. The AfrikaBurn Resource Community will allow you ask questions (and get answers) to many of the question you might have preparing for this epic journey.

First things first: a Burn is a co-creation between all participants, that includes -you-! We are all responsible for making this giant crazy fun event happen together, there are no spectators at a burn. Have you read up about all of the eleven principles of AfrikaBurn? It's a great place to start to get to know what the fuzz is all about. One of the most special things about a Burn is the 'Gifting' culture. There are also some basic 'rules' to AfrikaBurn. Better catchup on those! We also have our own 'slang'. Lekker, you now know how not to be a Sparkle Pony throwing around MOOP? You're ready for the next step!

2. What experience are you hoping for?

Having a think about what you're wanting your Burn to be is a great start to prepare for the next steps. But be aware: the Burn never gives you what you want, but always what you need! Anyway: what is your situation? Are you coming solo, with a group of friends, with your family? Each has a different set of preparation that comes with it. It'll be much easier to connect with an existing camp if you're flying solo than if you're a group of 15. What do you want to do? Do you want to volunteer, create art, join/set-up a theme camp, be completely self-reliant,.. there are many twists and turns to what will make your experience completely unique. Remember you don't have to join a theme camp, you can just as easily set-up camp with your little group of friends and offer everyone a rum shot each day at four-ish. Again you are co-creating this Burn, what is your contribution?

3. Home Country Prep

Wondering what you need to prepare to survive the desert? Look no further than here. Oh, and here. Ok, we lied - Look here too!

4. Once in SA

You might be landing at Cape Town International airport, which means you are about 4-5 hours away from Quaggafontein, the new home of AfrikaBurn. Should you be landing (and departing) from Johannesburg International (in Gauteng province), then you will have an epic road trip of over 1200km to get yourself to the Burn. Many local Burners make their way to the Burn from Gauteng, and most do it in 2 days. There are quite a few Burner-friendly Guest houses along this route and finding these could be as easy as posting on the Q&A Space for Burners group.

5. Road to the Burn

Shake, rattle and roll! Yup, even though the first part of your journey will be on main roads, wherever you arrive from, you will have to endure at least a portion of the infamous R355, the longest gravel road in the country. So infamous that it has a whole page dedicated to telling you what it is all about. Skip reading this at your own peril! Yes, people have died on this road. Seriously!

6. Arrival in Tankwa Town

Welcome Home! You made it! Get the low-down on what to expect on your arrival in Tankwa Town here.

7. Setup Camp

Here are some good tips on setting up camp in Tankwa Town.

8. The Burn itself

9. Exodus

On your way home? Got some unopened non-perishable goods, sealed water you cannot take all the way home? Support those that helped build the city, (and will still be working in the desert long after you have arrived home) - Yes - Collexodus happens - so read all about it and lighten your load.

10. Decompression

Ahh the dust has settled, you're finally able to shake the dust out of your boots, ears and other body parts you did not know could store dust,... You remember what it's like to be clean again! But be aware, the effects of the Burn will still linger on for a while. If you have the time and budget, why don't you go explore all the beauty South Africa has to offer and take a little road trip? A road trip is the perfect way to ease your way back into the Default world without shattering your new vision to the harsh default lens of work or daily life responsibilities. Our advice: don't book that plane ticket back the minute the Burn ends. It might be a bit too harsh adjusting. And if you stay around long enough you might be able to catch up with your new-found friends who understand you the best and know all about what you've just gone through. There will usually be a Burner Bar in Cape Town soon after the event.

11. Leave Good Trace

You're back to the real world, you've decompressed but you're not home yet. Don't throw your newly learned principles overboard: continue to take these with you and spread them in the default world! Before you leave good old ZA, you might want to donate good-quality camping equipment after the event to a suitable charity.


Enjoy your experience!

FAQ

Renting an RV:

A good 'all in one' option, but often very expensive and highly limited - booked out well in advance of the event itself. A few companies offer this service in South Africa but be careful when renting as many rental companies do not allow their vehicles to go to AfrikaBurn.

Bus flyer
Not an official AfrikaBurn bus, but still brilliant.

Getting the Burner Bus

It seems a bit excessive to rent a car just to transport you and your survival kit to AfrikaBurn, but you can take a bus if you want to save money and fuel. The 'Bus to AfrikaBurn' crew is NOT an official AfrikaBurn service, it is participant created. You can find out more about getting a bus to AfrikaBurn here: https://www.facebook.com/BUStoAfrikaBURN/

Bare minimum camping

You can hopefully figure out your own food and water ... but what do you really need to take part in AfrikaBurn, and what is 'nice to have'?

You will definitely need:

  • A waterproof tent
  • A mattress
  • A sleeping bag & pillow (it can get very cold at night)
  • Earplugs (proper rest is the best remedy to about anything, grumpy moods included)
  • Something to heat water or cook on - a gas burner or similar
  • A pot/kettle (or whatever you call it)
  • Basic cutlery, cups and plates etc.
  • Chairs and table
  • A bowl to wash up in
  • A head torch
  • A basic first aid kit

Nice to have:

  • A gazebo or shade awning
  • A BBQ or Braai to cook on
  • A cooler box to keep stuff cold in


If you are planning on buying your equipment in South Africa, please do so responsibly and support local businesses instead of buying disposable and creating waste. There are a number of good local camping shops that can help you out before you get to AfrikaBurn. Please consider donating good-quality camping equipment after the event to a suitable charity.

Click to check if the camp you want to join is Plug & Play

A note about Plug & Play

We understand it can be super tempting to join an existing theme camp and contribute towards it financially in exchange for a more comfortable experience in the dust. BUT! Please don't be a part of a Plug & Play camp - these water down the whole AfrikaBurn experience. Countless individuals have paid money expecting showers, beautifully cooked meals etc. to discover that all they have been given is a tent with no shade and then watched as the theme camp lead leaves Tankwa Town in an air-conditioned limousine.

Click on the image, or visit this page to find out more: https://www.afrikaburn.org/plug-and-play-guidelines/

Other international social media resources and groups

Non-South African Burners going to AfrikaBurn 2023: https://www.facebook.com/groups/americansburningAfrika

AfrikaBurn International Group (Facebook)