It is almost time for MTN Bushfire 2025, taking place in Malkerns, Eswatini, from 30 May – 1 June. This handy guide will ensure you are ready to enjoy this globally infused, authentically African and proudly Eswatini multicultural gathering!
2025 theme: Creativity. Unity. Sustainability.
MTN Bushfire 2025 will bring us together, once again, for a passionate commitment to people and the planet, in the spirit of the festival theme: “Creativity. Unity. Sustainability”.
As one of Africa’s leading sustainable festivals, MTN Bushfire welcomes you to the #BringYourFire movement of changemakers and creative activists and invites you to proactively engage with and amplify our active expressions of unity in diversity, conscious arts advocacy and inclusive sustainability. Share your voice on livestream at the Speak Your Fire Broadcast Corner in the UN Bring Your Fire Zone, participate in the interactive sessions and ignite your drive to make a tangible difference through the festival’s socio-cultural, economic and environmental sustainability initiatives.
LEAVE EARLY, ARRIVE EARLY!
With over 10-12,000 festivalgoers expected to travel to Eswatini by road from different parts of the region, traffic and queues at Eswatini’s border entry points can get incredibly long. To avoid getting caught up in border congestion when travelling to Eswatini, we advise you to leave for MTN Bushfire as early as 5am/6am. Campers may check in from 11am on Thursday 29 May.
Major traffic congestion can be expected at Ngwenya/Oshoek on Friday 30 May, which is open 24 hours a day, so if you have to use this border gate, please leave for your trip as early as possible. Guests are urged to use alternate border gates where possible. Please note that the Ascension Day holiday falls on Thursday this year, which may affect your travel plans.
Thursday, 29 May: Vuts’Umlilo Showcase
Something for early campers to look forward to is the exclusive Vuts’Umlilo opening ceremony performance showcase on MTN Bushfire’s Amphitheatre Stage, from 19:05-21:30. The festival grounds will be open from 16:00 – 22:00 on Thursday, for early campers.
Getting to MTN Bushfire
The festival venue, 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
Route for Campers
To avoid traffic congestion in front of the festival gates, campers are advised to take the following route to the campsite entrance, which is now situated further away from the festival gates. When approaching the Malkerns Valley from Mbabane, on the MR3 highway, campers should continue on to Matsapha and take the Matsapha off-ramp, via the traffic circle, onto the MR18 road. After crossing a small bridge, continue on to the next turn which will be to the left (opposite Sundowners Lodge). Continue on that road to Malkerns on the right and turn onto the MR27. This road takes you straight to the Harambee, Rush and All-Out Africa campsites, which will be on your left, about 2kms before the festival gates.
If coming from the Manzini direction, ensure you enter the Matsapha traffic circle, make the off ramp to the MR18 and follow the directions as above. Look out for the signs to the campsite when approaching the festival.
MTN Bushfire 2025 – Border & Travel Updates
Official Eswatini Tourism Authority border information can be found here: https://www.thekingdomofeswatini.com/how-to-get-there/
- ENTRY VISA authorisation 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/
- BORDER OPERATING HOURS:
- Ngwenya/Oshoek: 24 Hours
- Mhlumeni/Goba: 06:00 – 00:00
- Lavumisa/ Golela : 07:00 – 22:00
- Sicunusa/Emahlatini (close to Piet Retief): open 08:00 – 18:00
- Sandlane/Nerston (close to Amsterdam): open 08:00 – 18:00
- Mahamba (close to Piet Retief): open 07:00 – 22:00
- Bulembu/Josefdal: 08:00 – 16:00
- Lomahasha/Namaacha: 07:00 – 00:00
- PLEASE NOTE HEALTH DECLARATION & REQUIREMENTS: To speed your entry, the Health declaration form can be downloaded from this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XX4Zch2djpqP41V9 8ZVKzZXAjSIlWQtq/view
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.
- YELLOW FEVER: Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is required of travellers 1 year and older coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission or where yellow fever is endemic.
- TRAVELLING WITH MINORS: unabridged birth certificates for minors are required for South African residents exiting South Africa.
- ROAD TOLL FEE: The road toll fee for a foreign registered private vehicle is R100, payable at the border post.
- VEHICLE AUTHORISATION FORM: Travelers using bank financed cars, must be aware that ports of exit/entry have got scanning devices. No permit no exit. Ports will require a letter from their bank. For more information on all requirements for bringing vehicles across the border, please visit https://www.thekingdomofeswatini.com/how-to-get-there/
- TRAVEL WARNING: Drink driving is taken very seriously by the Royal Eswatini Police Service, with large fines and jail time when waiting for a magistrate. Magistrates don’t work weekends. The biggest national newspaper also runs a name and shame campaign.
- MONEY: Swazi Emalangeni are equivalent to South African Rands. South African Rand notes are accepted in Eswatini, however Mozambican Metical and other currencies are not.
2025 Festival Tips
- Download the official festival app now from http://woov.to/mtnbushfire25, Google Play or App Store and select ‘MTN Bushfire’. It has a map, programme, and you can link up your friends easily.
- Let the music of the festival accompany you on your road to MTN Bushfire! Check out the official MTN Bushfire Spotify Playlist on the official App!
- Have your tickets and accommodation booked: MTN Bushfire sells out every year, please ensure you have booked your tickets and accommodation in advance.
- Remember that in Eswatini the days are warm but the nights can be cold – pack accordingly. Remember your hat, sunblock and mosquito repellent!
- The festival has a No Liquids On Entry policy. No liquids will be allowed past the entry gates or from the campsite gates to the main festival grounds.
- The festival is committed to eliminating single-use plastics. Please bring re-usable bags and water bottles.
- Wi-fi vouchers will be available at the festival.
MTN Bushfire Tourist Data Packs
Pick-up points for SIM cards are at MTN service centres at the Ngwenya/Oshoek Border Gate, Lavumisa Border Gate, Mbabane Swazi Plaza, The Crescent Shopping Mall, The Gables Shopping Mall, Matsapha Lifestyle Centre, Manzini Lifestyle Centre and at the festival.
MTN Bushfire Festival Weekend dates and times
Main Festival:
- Friday, 30 May: 16:00 – 02:30
- Saturday, 31 June: 10:00 – 03:00
- Sunday, 1 June: 10:00 – 21:30
All Out Africa Campsite Operating Hours
The official All Out Africa festival campsite wil open on Thursday 29 May. Campers can check in from 11:00 onwards.
- Check-In Desk:
- Thursday 29 May 11:00 – 06:00
- Friday 30 May 06:00 – 06:00 (24 hours)
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- Saturday 31 May 06:00 – 00:00 (midnight)
- Information Desk:
- Thursday 29 May 11:00 – 00:00
- Friday 30 May 05:00 – 00:00
- Saturday 31 May 05:00 – 00:00
- Sunday 1 June 05:00 – 00:00
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- Monday 2 June 05:00 – 00:00
Please note that arrivals outside of check-in desk times will need to wait until the gates re-open.
MTN Bushfire is Cashless- Pre-Load Your festival funds!
MTN Bushfire is a CASHLESS festival: no cash is allowed, instead 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.
Secure Paid Parking
Secure Paid Parking is available at the MTN Bushfire festival, with improved security controls and safety for your vehicles. Tickets can be bought at the parking lot entrances for E40. Campsite parking is free.
Register and claim Your Complimentary Ticket
Complimentary ticket holders are encouraged to register their tickets, to avoid fraud as well as delays in wrist-banding. It’s quick and easy:
- Check your email for a confirmation with your complimentary ticket from [email protected]
- Click REGISTER in the email.
- Sign up or log in to Howler using the same email address.
- Once logged in, click REGISTER next to your MTN Bushfire 2025 ticket.
- Fill in your personal details to complete registration.
Your ticket is linked to your Howler account to ensure a smooth cashless experience and easy cash-out of unspent funds.
MTN Bushfire Ticket Resale Platform
MTN Bushfire does not recommend purchasing tickets from third-party sellers as we cannot guarantee those tickets are genuine or have not been duplicated.
If you won’t be able to make it to the festival and need to put your tickets up for sale, please use the safe and secure Howler Ticket Resale Platform, which can be accessed here: https://mtnbushfire.howler.co.za/events/mtn-bushfire-2025-73c9
This is a convenient and secure platform buying and selling your pre-owned festival tickets. The transactions between buyers and sellers are facilitated by official festival ticket provider Howler, eliminating the risk of scams, ticket scalping and wasted party tickets. On this platform, you’re guaranteed an authentic ticket.
If you suspect that your ticket has been tampered with, or that the bar code might be compromised, please contact us immediately at [email protected] prior to the festival. MTN Bushfire does not offer refunds on tickets.
Travel Packages
Travel Packages are available from selected locations in South Africa and Mozambique, as well as a 15% discount on Air Eswatini direct return flights from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Harare. For more information, please visit https://www.bush-fire.com/plan/travel-packages/
All festival information can be found on the official festival website: https://www.bush-fire.com/
