Burning Maun
Sat Sep 27, 12:00 - Mon Sep 29, 10:00
Xudumela
ABOUT
Burning Maun 2025
The Belter in the Delta ...
is a boutique festival celebrating nature, music, and community along the Xudum channel in the Xudumela Conservancy, Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Event Details
- Location: Xudumela Conservancy, Okavango Delta, near Maun, Botswana. GPS 20°02'32.7"S 23°05'10.4"E
- Date: 27th - 29th September 2025
- Description: A family-friendly festival combining music, conservation, and cultural experiences in the stunning setting of the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Proceeds support local anti-poaching units and communities, emphasizing sustainable tourism and community upliftment. FREE CAMPING (BYOT) see Accommodation. Delicious food available by Dusty Donkey, please support them.
Artists
The lineup features a mix of local and international acts, with more to be announced:
- Felix Laband (South Africa) – Solo electronic music artist known for his Indietronica.
- Djemba Monks (Zimbabwe) - Afro house.
- Root (Zimbabwe) – Roots Reggae Dub Session
- Witch Dokta (Zimbabwe) – A unique electronic performer.
- Animals Family (Botswana) – DJ Sammy T picking tracks and Jungle Jim spinning them
- Slimzar Wa Afrika (Zimbabwe) – Afro tech.
- Mothership Base (Botswana) – an exciting act with two Boro babes..
- Jungle Jim (UK) – Funky disco
- Bomber (UK) – A British house spinner
- Eat Sherbit (South Africa) – Late night electronic
- Koolkat Motikyo - Botswana's own
Activities and Features
- Conservation on Tap Talks: Discussions focused on environmental conservation, highlighting efforts to protect the Okavango Delta’s ecosystem.
- Yoga + Meditation Classes by YOWNN YOGA: Wellness activities to complement the natural setting.
- Kids Camp: Family-friendly activities, making it suitable for attendees with children.
- Bass Hut, Sky Web, Star bed grove, organic food farming tour: Interactive and immersive installations or experiences, blending nature and creativity.
- Bushmen Parkour - meet a friendly Ju’hoasi Bushmen who will show you how to use a bow and then go enjoy the challenge of the 18 targets practice course.
- Mokoros and Boat Cruises: Traditional dugout canoe or boat trips, dependent on the 2025 flood levels, offering a unique way to explore the Delta’s waterways.
- Safe Natural Delta Swim Spot: A designated area for swimming in the Delta’s waters dependent on the 2025 flood levels
- Heli Flips and Maun Transfer Specials: Provided by Helicopter Horizons, offering scenic flights and transfers from Maun (10-minute flight to the festival site).
- Okavango Gin Tiki Bar and Craft Brewery Casks Bar: Local beverages to enhance the festival vibe.
- Maun 4x4 Transfers: Shuttle services from Maun to the festival site, from the Duck Inn at P500 return.
Food Stalls: Offering a variety of local and delicious food options.
Tickets
- Early Bird gets the Maun tickets (until July 31, 2025): P1000.00 (Botswana Pula, though payments in ZAR due to banking regulations).
- August Burning Maun tickets: P1250.00. (Botswana Pula, though payments in ZAR due to banking regulations).
- Last Minute Maun tickets (September): P1500.00. (Botswana Pula, though payments in ZAR due to banking regulations).
- Note: Tickets are limited capping at 250 attendees to maintain an intimate experience.
Recommendations
Book Early: With limited tickets, securing early bird tickets by July 31, 2025, saves money and ensures entry.
Plan Transport: Arrange 4x4 transfers or helicopter flights in advance, especially if not driving. Contact organizers on [email protected]
It will be HOT! Bring lots of rehydrates. Water stations will be available
For BYOT Pack for Camping: Bring camping gear for a DIY experience or book glamping for comfort. Be prepared for heat and dust if flood levels are low.
Engage with Conservation: Attend the “Conservation on Tap” talks to learn about the Delta’s ecosystem and anti-poaching efforts, enhancing the festival’s impact.
Safety
Xudumela is a wildlife area with elephant, lion and other wildlife.
The festival site and camping is however, electric fenced.
There is an ambulance and two paramedics on standby provided by Resusmed.
For the most up-to-date details on tickets, artist announcements, and exact dates, check the official Instagram or contact organizers directly, as information may evolve closer to the event.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation: Attendees only with festival tickets can bring your own tents (BYOT) for free or opt for glamping options, which range from P1500 shared ablution dome tents to P5000 for premium setups with private toilets and hot bucket showers. All rooms have 2 single beds, 2 people per tent. Kids under 12 can be squeezed in. The camping sites are all electric fenced for your safety.
- P1500 - Dome Tent or similar with 2 single beds ( shared ablutions available )
- P2000 - Dome Tents en suite
- P4000 - Mobile tents with en suite bathrooms (Luna or Meru mobile style)
- P5000 - Meru Tents with showers and flushing loos
Please email on [email protected] for accommodation and transfers - cut off 2 weeks before the date. 13th September. Please stipulate if you would like a tent next to each other for children or for a cot mattress. Max 3 in a tent with kids up to age of 10.
The above accommodation options are for the entire weekend and cannot be booked for a single night.
Conservation Note: The festival emphasizes eco-friendly practices, with proceeds supporting anti-poaching and community initiatives.
Xudumela Conservancy: A tourism-based conservation project in the Okavango Delta, focusing on organic horticulture, anti-poaching, and community-driven tourism. The festival’s proceeds directly support these efforts
Environmental Considerations: The Delta’s flood levels vary yearly, affecting mokoro and boat activities. In 2025, the flood waters are looking higher than previous years.
TRAVEL AND LOGISTICS; TRANSFERS
Travel and Logistics
- Getting There:
- By Air: From Maun, a 90-minute 4x4 transfer or a 10-minute helicopter ride with Helicopter Horizons (USD150 one-way) gets you to the festival site. Once your helicopter you will be notified of departure time the afternoon before. Minimum 2 pax and max 10kgs luggage.
- By Road: A 4x4 is recommended for the 40-minute sand track drive from the turn off heading North that lies just past Sitatunga and the Nxotega channel if coming from Maun to the festival parking site at Xudumela. See directions
- Shuttle Service: Game-drive vehicles offer transfers from The Duck Inn in Maun (2 minutes walk from the airport) for P500 return per person - please email [email protected] for transfers.
SHUTTLE SERVICE SCHEDULE for SATURDAY 27th SEPTEMBER (please book a slot as max capacity is 35 per shuttle)
Departs from the Duck Inn for arrival at Xudumela festival site
SAT 9 AM
SAT 12 PM
SAT 3 PM
MONDAY 29th - FESTIVAL DEPARTURE ;(
Departure shuttles from Xudumela for flight connections leave MONDAY 8:30 AM
Further shuttle services departing Xudumela at 12 PM and last carriages at 4PM.
DIRECTIONS
Directions to Xudumela’s Camp
GPS 20°02'32.7"S 23°05'10.4"E
If using Google Maps; simply type in "Xudumela".
Take the Ghanzi road out of town. Go past the Sitatunga Backpackers turn off and then go 1km past the Nxotega channel. Turn right at the borrow pit sign and follow the major cut line for the 25 kms, it leads straight to our farm . The first 4 kms of the cut line is tough 4x4 only section following the borrow pit truck tracks, for this first section of tough going there is a small 4x4 track parallel to the major cut line. Follow the signs for this.
After 15 km on the cut line you’ll cross the Kwapa channel. You will see a wooden bridge that indicates you are crossing the Kwapa Channel.
10 km later you’ll arrive on the edge of the farm. Go through the gate and follow the main track and 4 km later you’ll be on the Xudum channel at our camp.