The annual White Mountain Music Festival is the perfect opportunity to escape the city and unwind in a stunning setting while enjoying a great line-up of live, predominantly acoustic acts.

Known for its intimate, relaxed atmosphere, the festival is now in its 11th year and is held at White Mountain Lodge near Giant’s Castle in the scenic central Drakensberg region of KwaZulu-Natal, just 25km off the N3 on tarred roads, 185km from Durban and 400km from Johannesburg.

Also on offer are colourful arts and crafts, a wide variety of food and drink outlets, local craft beer, plus loads of outdoor leisure activities for the whole family. These include abseiling, a 100m zip line, stand-up paddle boarding on the dam, fishing, paintball, volleyball, a trail run, guided hikes and supervised activities (like scavenger hunts) for the kids. There is also a choice of camping, caravaning and chalet accommodation. And that’s not forgetting the lodge’s spacious grounds, convenience store, swimming pool and charming old pub (with satellite TV and late-night live music), which add another dimension to the usual festival experience.

White Mountain Music Festival

One of the best-kept secrets on the music festival circuit, White Mountain is a gem of a festival and definitely not to be missed!

Artists who’ve performed at the festival since its inception in 2006 include the likes of Prime Circle, Vusi Mahlasela, Karen Zoid, Matthew Mole, aKING, Jeremy Loops, Craig Hinds, Dan Patlansky (unplugged), Guy Buttery, Southern Gypsey Queen, Kahn, Chris Chameleon, Nibs van der Spuy, Farryl Purkiss, Rory Eliot, Al Bairre, Rowan Stuart, Rubber Duc, Habit To, Laurie Levine, Josie Field, Black Cat Bone, Radio Kalahari Orkes, Madala Kunene, the late Syd Kitchen, John Ellis, Ard Matthews, Phuzekhemisi and Jesse Clegg, to name a few. International acts include folk-rock legends Magna Carta (UK), Guyy & The Fox (AUS), Brett Newski (USA), as well as Jamie MacDowell & Tom Thum (AUS).