Friends & Allies presents

Mayhem
Mountain
FestivalYour Complete Info Guide — 2026

April 2 – 6 · Waterval Boven, Mpumalanga
South Africa's largest highlining & climbing festival

Location
Waterval Boven
Dates
2 – 6 April
From JHB
~3 Hours
Camping
Included
About

What is Mayhem Mountain Festival?

MMF is a multi-day outdoor adventure festival set in the Boven Mountains over Easter weekend. Run by Friends & Allies and the Mayhem Mountain Adventures crew, it brings together climbers, highliners, trail runners, and adventurers for five days of mountain life.


Expect 2,000+ metres of highline webbing rigged across mountain faces, sport climbing on orange sandstone, waterlines over the Mayhem Dam, sunrise yoga, rope swinging, campfire nights, and live music.

Highliner on the mountain
Highlining over the valley
Helping gear up Night gathering
Tickets

Which pass is right for you?

All tickets include camping. No separate fee. Early Bird is sold out.

Day Pass
R150 / day
  • Single day access
  • All activities for the day
  • Great for locals
Fest Ticket
R800
  • Thu 2 – Mon 6 April
  • 5 days & 4 nights
  • All activities & sessions
Extended Fest
R1,500
  • Arrive from March 20
  • Reserved camping spots
  • Exclusive pre-fest sessions

No experience needed. There are intro workshops for highlining basics, guided sessions, and plenty of people happy to show you the ropes. Come as you are.

On Site

Facilities & what to expect

The campsite runs on solar power for essentials. You'll find compost toilets, outdoor showers (hot water available — prepare for lukewarm), communal cooking areas, refrigeration, and braai facilities (bring your own coals).


Phone charging is extremely limited — bring a power bank or two. This is a mountain festival, not a resort. That's the beauty of it.

Festival campsite vibes
FAQ

Quick answers

Where exactly is it?
Mayhem Mountain Adventures campsite, Waterval Boven (Emgwenya), Mpumalanga. ~3 hours from JHB. You're 100m from the crags.
Is camping included?
Yes. Included with every ticket type. No separate fee. Just bring your tent and sleeping gear.
Fest vs Extended Fest?
Fest (R800) = Thu Apr 2 – Mon Apr 6. Extended (R1,500) = arrive from March 20, reserved spots, exclusive pre-fest sessions.
Can I charge my phone?
Charging points are extremely limited. Bring a power bank (or two). Consider it an invitation to disconnect.
Braai facilities?
Yes, braai facilities provided. Bring your own coals. Communal cooking areas also available.
Hot water & showers?
Outdoor showers with hot water available, but prepare for lukewarm — it is Mayhem.
What activities besides highlining?
Sport climbing, waterlines, yoga, trail running, rope swinging, campfire nights, live music, sunrise meditation.
How do I get there?
Drive to Waterval Boven (~3hrs from JHB). Directions sent with ticket. Ride share option available at checkout.
Packing

What to bring

Off-grid mountain camping. Come prepared, travel light, leave no trace.

Essentials
  • Tent & sleeping bag
  • Sleeping mat
  • Power bank(s)
  • Headlamp
  • Water bottle
  • Sunscreen & hat
Clothing
  • Warm layers
  • Rain jacket
  • Hiking shoes
  • Swimwear
  • Quick-dry towel
Food & Drink
  • Food for your stay
  • Braai coals
  • Cooler box + ice
  • Plate, cup, cutlery
  • Crag snacks
Gear (Optional)
  • Harness
  • Climbing shoes
  • Chalk bag
  • Slackline
  • Musical instrument
Ready to join the Mayhem? April 2 – 6, 2026 · Waterval Boven
Get Your Ticket
© 2026 Friends & Allies · friendsandallies.co.za Sources: Riding the Highline · Climbing.co.za · Good Beta