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South Africa🇿🇦 | festivalsSplashy Fen Music FestivalNatural amphitheater, Easter weekend, Drakensberg foothills, Sani Pass | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Splashy Fen Music
👍 Recommendedfestival ranked #8
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

I pitched my tent on the flat ground near the entrance, then watched the first rain turn that spot into a pond by midnight. Lesson learned: Splashy Fen sits on a farm near Underberg, in the southern KwaZulu-Natal Midlands of South Africa, and the slopes matter. Choose higher ground, pack gumboots, and bring a groundsheet. Arrive on Thursday, because late arrivals get the worst campsites and long gate queues. It runs over the Easter long weekend and mixes folk, rock, blues and indie, mostly South African acts, with a crowd of families, students and regulars who return every year. Skip the flashy extras and spend on food and drink tokens you can plan for. You will love it if you like live music in a field with friendly strangers. If you want polished luxury, look elsewhere.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 South Africa Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #8 festival in South AfricaReasons people choose to celebrate the here

Splashy Fen Music Festival is one of South Africa’s oldest outdoor music gatherings, and that history shows in the way regulars treat the farm like a yearly reunion. Backpackers plan around it because the Easter long weekend gives you several days of music without needing to rush off, and the campsite crowd is quick to share a fire, a braai or advice on where to stand for the best sound. Strangers become neighbors by the second night. The other draw is the setting. The festival sits in the foothills of the southern Drakensberg, so you can pair the weekend with hiking, the Sani Pass run to Lesotho, or a slow loop through the Midlands. That makes it easy to fold into a longer trip through KwaZulu-Natal. Compared with big international festivals, the vibe is relaxed and unpretentious, and a local, … read more 👉
Splashy Fen Music Festival is one of South Africa’s oldest outdoor music gatherings, and that history shows in the way regulars treat the farm like a yearly reunion. Backpackers plan around it because the Easter long weekend gives you several days of music without needing to rush off, and the campsite crowd is quick to share a fire, a braai or advice on where to stand for the best sound. Strangers become neighbors by the second night. The other draw is the setting. The festival sits in the foothills of the southern Drakensberg, so you can pair the weekend with hiking, the Sani Pass run to Lesotho, or a slow loop through the Midlands. That makes it easy to fold into a longer trip through KwaZulu-Natal. Compared with big international festivals, the vibe is relaxed and unpretentious, and a local, homegrown lineup means you hear artists you would otherwise never find.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. The Main Stage: the natural amphitheater of grassy slopes is the heart of the festival, where folk, rock and blues acts play to a crowd sitting on blankets and camp chairs as evening comes in.
  2. The Campsite: the community of tents, bakkies and shared fires spreads across the farm, and it is where most of the friendships and late-night jam sessions happen.
  3. The Amphitheater Sunset Sets: late-day performances with the Drakensberg foothills behind the stage give the music a backdrop few festivals can match.
  4. The Food and Craft Stalls: expect local food vendors, bar stalls and craft traders along the festival pathways, a good place to try South African comfort food like boerewors rolls.
  5. Sani Pass Excursion: the famous mountain road to Lesotho lies nearby, and a 4x4 trip up it is the best way to add a
… read more 👉
  1. The Main Stage: the natural amphitheater of grassy slopes is the heart of the festival, where folk, rock and blues acts play to a crowd sitting on blankets and camp chairs as evening comes in.
  2. The Campsite: the community of tents, bakkies and shared fires spreads across the farm, and it is where most of the friendships and late-night jam sessions happen.
  3. The Amphitheater Sunset Sets: late-day performances with the Drakensberg foothills behind the stage give the music a backdrop few festivals can match.
  4. The Food and Craft Stalls: expect local food vendors, bar stalls and craft traders along the festival pathways, a good place to try South African comfort food like boerewors rolls.
  5. Sani Pass Excursion: the famous mountain road to Lesotho lies nearby, and a 4x4 trip up it is the best way to add a dramatic day to the festival weekend.
Splashy Fen Music Festival pairs well with the Sani Pass: spend the morning on the pass, then be back at the main stage for the evening acts.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Splashy Fen Music Festival

Sani Pass and Lesotho Day Tour from Underberg

Sani Pass and Lesotho Day Tour from Underberg

4.6(117)
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per personViator
Sani Pass day trip

Sani Pass day trip

4.8(67) 24h
From €123
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Sani Pass and Lesotho Day Tour from Underberg

Sani Pass and Lesotho Day Tour from Underberg

4.9(11) 6h 30m
From €61
per personViator
Sani Pass Private Day Tour

Sani Pass Private Day Tour

4.2(12) 6h 30m
From €351
per personViator
Extended Lesotho Day Tour - 9.5 Hours

Extended Lesotho Day Tour - 9.5 Hours

5.0(6) 9h 30m
From €83
per personViator
Sani Pass Private Day Tour

Sani Pass Private Day Tour

5.0(2) 6h 30m
From €137
per personViator
Lesotho Bicycle Day Tour

Lesotho Bicycle Day Tour

5.0(1) 8h
From €86
per personViator
Saga of the Sani Pass and Mokhotlong Tour

Saga of the Sani Pass and Mokhotlong Tour

0.0(0) 48h
From €474
per personViator
Lesotho Combo Day Tour: Hike-Cycle-4X4

Lesotho Combo Day Tour: Hike-Cycle-4X4

0.0(0) 8h
From €86
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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Splashy Fen Music Festival?

Splashy Fen is held over the Easter long weekend (Thursday to Sunday, so the dates move with Easter, usually late March or April) on a farm near Underberg in the southern KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg foothills.
  • Best day: Friday and Saturday carry the biggest lineups and the fullest crowds. Thursday is the calm arrival day, good for pitching a tent and finding flat ground.
  • Weather: Days run roughly 20 to 26°C (68 to 79°F), nights can fall to 8 to 12°C (46 to 54°F), and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Bring a rain jacket, gumboots, a warm layer and sunscreen.
  • Booking: Tickets and nearby beds sell out weeks ahead. Guesthouses in the area often add 30 to 50 percent over normal rates.
  • Roads: Gravel farm roads turn muddy in rain, and queues build at the gate on Thursday and Friday mornings. Leave on
… read more 👉
Splashy Fen is held over the Easter long weekend (Thursday to Sunday, so the dates move with Easter, usually late March or April) on a farm near Underberg in the southern KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg foothills.
  • Best day: Friday and Saturday carry the biggest lineups and the fullest crowds. Thursday is the calm arrival day, good for pitching a tent and finding flat ground.
  • Weather: Days run roughly 20 to 26°C (68 to 79°F), nights can fall to 8 to 12°C (46 to 54°F), and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Bring a rain jacket, gumboots, a warm layer and sunscreen.
  • Booking: Tickets and nearby beds sell out weeks ahead. Guesthouses in the area often add 30 to 50 percent over normal rates.
  • Roads: Gravel farm roads turn muddy in rain, and queues build at the gate on Thursday and Friday mornings. Leave on Sunday evening or Monday morning to dodge the exit crush.
Arrive on Thursday before lunch and you get a better campsite and shorter gate lines.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

The easiest option for budget travelers is the on-site festival campsite, where you pitch beside hundreds of other campers, share braai fires and walk to the stages in minutes. It is the most social choice, and solo travelers meet people quickly. Bring your own tent, a good groundsheet and a padlock for it, since afternoon storms and mud are normal.

If you want a proper bed and a hot shower, Underberg is the nearest town. It has guesthouses, self-catering cottages and backpacker-style lodging, plus supermarkets for stocking up. Driving to the farm each day is short, though you must sort out a … read more 👉
The easiest option for budget travelers is the on-site festival campsite, where you pitch beside hundreds of other campers, share braai fires and walk to the stages in minutes. It is the most social choice, and solo travelers meet people quickly. Bring your own tent, a good groundsheet and a padlock for it, since afternoon storms and mud are normal.

If you want a proper bed and a hot shower, Underberg is the nearest town. It has guesthouses, self-catering cottages and backpacker-style lodging, plus supermarkets for stocking up. Driving to the farm each day is short, though you must sort out a designated driver or a shuttle for late nights. Book as early as possible, because the town fills over Easter.

Sani Pass and the surrounding Southern Drakensberg valleys have mountain lodges and shared cottages that suit groups splitting costs. They are quieter and scenic, but you need a car. Staying in Pietermaritzburg or Durban is not practical for a four-day festival because of the long drives.
Best hostels in South Africa


Best quality hotels in South Africa

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Splashy Fen Music Festival costs most backpackers around US$85 to 130 a day, including a ticket share, camping, food and drinks.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$80 to 160 for the full weekend (about US$20 to 40 a day)Four-day passes are the main option, and the price rises as the festival nears. Camping is usually extra or bundled depending on the package.
AccommodationUS$8 to 15 camping; US$35 to 80 in Underberg guesthouses (high season)Easter pricing applies in town, and rooms sell out early.
Local transportUS$5 to 25Shuttles or shared lifts from Underberg or Pietermaritzburg help. Car fuel and gravel roads add costs for drivers.
Food & drinksUS$15 to 30Rolls and burgers cost US$3 to 6, and beers US$2 to 4. Cooking at your own braai cuts costs.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5
… read more 👉
Splashy Fen Music Festival costs most backpackers around US$85 to 130 a day, including a ticket share, camping, food and drinks.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$80 to 160 for the full weekend (about US$20 to 40 a day)Four-day passes are the main option, and the price rises as the festival nears. Camping is usually extra or bundled depending on the package.
AccommodationUS$8 to 15 camping; US$35 to 80 in Underberg guesthouses (high season)Easter pricing applies in town, and rooms sell out early.
Local transportUS$5 to 25Shuttles or shared lifts from Underberg or Pietermaritzburg help. Car fuel and gravel roads add costs for drivers.
Food & drinksUS$15 to 30Rolls and burgers cost US$3 to 6, and beers US$2 to 4. Cooking at your own braai cuts costs.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 15Rain gear, firewood, ice, phone charging and festival merchandise.
Total Daily BudgetUS$85 to 130Based on camping in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Splashy Fen Music

Food at Splashy Fen is classic South African festival fare, served from stalls clustered near the main stages and the campsite. Expect boerewors rolls hot off the grill, burgers, wood-fired pizza, curries, vegetarian wraps and the odd potjiekos pot bubbling away. Coffee stands do brisk trade on cold, misty mornings, and there are sweet treats like pancakes and koeksisters.

For drinks, local craft beer, cider and wine sit alongside the usual lagers and spirits. Try a boerewors roll with chakalaka for the full experience, and a mug of hot chocolate when the rain rolls in. Plenty of campers bring a cooler box and cook over their own braai, which is a social event in itself. Neighbors often share fire space and swap meat.

Take cash in rand as backup, since card machines can struggle with weak … read more 👉
Food at Splashy Fen is classic South African festival fare, served from stalls clustered near the main stages and the campsite. Expect boerewors rolls hot off the grill, burgers, wood-fired pizza, curries, vegetarian wraps and the odd potjiekos pot bubbling away. Coffee stands do brisk trade on cold, misty mornings, and there are sweet treats like pancakes and koeksisters.

For drinks, local craft beer, cider and wine sit alongside the usual lagers and spirits. Try a boerewors roll with chakalaka for the full experience, and a mug of hot chocolate when the rain rolls in. Plenty of campers bring a cooler box and cook over their own braai, which is a social event in itself. Neighbors often share fire space and swap meat.

Take cash in rand as backup, since card machines can struggle with weak signal in the valley. Lines peak around the headline acts and just after the final set, so eat early. Bring a refillable bottle and a rain poncho for the walk to the stalls.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Splashy Fen Music Festival takes place over the Easter long weekend, from Thursday to Sunday, so the dates shift between late March and April each year. The venue is a farm near Underberg in the southern KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg. Gates open on Thursday, and the main acts play on Friday and Saturday.
Attending Splashy Fen Music Festival typically costs US$80 to 160 for a full weekend ticket, with prices rising closer to the date. Camping adds roughly US$8 to 15, and food and drinks about US$15 to 30 a day. Most backpackers spend US$85 to 130 a day, including transport.
Yes, tickets for Splashy Fen Music Festival are best bought in advance online, since early pricing is lower and Easter weekend can sell out. Gate sales are sometimes available if capacity remains, but that is a gamble. Book camping and any Underberg accommodation weeks ahead as well.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other South African festivals near Splashy Fen Music

Explore more nearby:

  • Ficksburg Cherry Festival—Cherry orchards, farm-gate fruit, Lesotho border, braai smoke| 176 km away
  • Macufe Festival—Bloemfontein venues, African music, jazz and gospel, cultural showcases| 313 km away
  • Mieliepop Festival—Afrikaans rock, highveld camping, braai fires, bakkie tailgates| 387 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Splashy Fen Music Festival works best over the full long weekend, because the music, campsite friendships and late fires build from night to night. I would stay all four days, then add two or three more around Underberg for the mountains. A single day feels rushed and misses the best part.

✈️ When did I visit South Africa?
I have visited South Africa, before and after my Zimbabwe trip in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in South Africa, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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