Sauti za Busara Music Festival 2017

Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th February 2017
various venues, Zanzibar, Tanzania , Tanzania MAP
early bird $107 for a 5 day pass

Daily capacity: 5,000

Last updated: Tue 3rd Jan 2017

The 14th Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) Music Festival takes place in Zanzibar, Tanzania from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th February 2017. There is a continuous daily programme of music starting in the late afternoon, as the sunshine softens and shadows start to stretch out, and continuing virtually non-stop into the evening, with the final band taking to the stage around midnight.

Line-up

Rocky Dawuni (Ghana) Yamoto Band (Tanzania) Sarabi (Kenya) Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band (Ghana / Germany) Simba & Milton Gulli (Mozambique) Jagwa Music (Tanzania) Bob Maghrib (Morocco) Karyna Gomes (Guinea Bissau) Sami Dan & Zewd Band (Ethiopia) Chibite Zawose Family (Tanzania) Rajab Suleiman & Kithara (Zanzibar) Wahapahapa Band (Tanzania) Buganda Music Ensemble (Uganda) Batimbo Percussion Magique (Burundi) Kyekyeku (Ghana) H_art the Band (Kenya) Grace Barbé (Seychelles) Roland Tchakounté (Cameroon / France) Imena Cultural Troupe (Rwanda) Isau Meneses (Mozambique) Sahra Halgan Trio (Somaliland) Tausi Women's Taarab (Zanzibar) Swahili Encounters (Zanzibar / Various) CAC Fusion (Tanzania) Ze Spirits Band (Tanzania) Loryzine (Reunion) Madalitso Band (Malawi) Mswanu Gogo Vibes (Tanzania) Matona's G Clef Band (Zanzibar) Afrijam Band (Tanzania) Cocodo African Music Band (Tanzania) Kiumbizi (Pemba) Rico & the Band (Zanzibar) Usambara Sanaa Group (Tanzania) Mcharuko Band (Zanzibar) Taarab - Kidumbak Group (Zanzibar).

400 musicians including both upcoming and established groups, acoustic and electric, from East Africa and beyond. 20+ groups, all performing 100% live. In the Old Fort shows continue on the main stage Friday through Sunday with performances from 5pm until 1am. Most concerts are in historic Stone Town supplemented with fringe events around town and across the island including a festival street parade.

Tickets

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Prices vary for citizens, residents, and visitors. Early bird tickets are priced at $107 for a 5 day pass.

Accommodation

The festival does not have a campsite, and there is a good range of accommodation options in and around Stone Town.

Flights

Zanzibar has international scheduled flights, or there are international flights to Dar es Salaam. Zanzibar has international scheduled flights served by Ethiopian Airlines, and Kenya Airways. Also regional flights served by Fly540, Precision Air, Air Uganda, and 1time (South Africa). Alternatively, Dar es Salaam is served by British Airways, KLM, Swiss Air, South African Airways and Emirates. There are then internal flights or ferries from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar.

Ferries

Zanzibar is served by a number of ferry companies to/from Dar es Salaam. There are several fast (2hr) hydrofoil crossings daily plus several slower (4hr) vessels. Non Residents should expect to pay up to US$55 incl port tax one-way.

Visas

The requirements and rules regarding visas vary according to your nationality and country of residence. Please check well in advance.

More information will be here when available.