The Easter Weekend calls for a getaway to Clarens with the 3^rd annual LUSH Festival, presented by OFM and KykNET, taking place from 29 March to 2 April 2018.

Life is all about experiences. Savouring beauty. Finding hidden treasures. Soaring to new heights. Doing something crazy that makes your heart pound with excitement. Creating memories with family and friends. This year’s Lush Festival showcases some of the most amazing experiences imaginable that will leave your soul spellbound.

Taking place from 29 March to 2 April on Linwood Farm in the town of Clarens (an easy three-hour drive from Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Pretoria), Lush offers something for everyone.

For those who love a challenge, there are Mountain Bike Trails and a fun trail run set against a breath-taking backdrop, guided tours traversing through South Africa’s rich and rugged landscape and horseback riding among the majestic countryside. For those seeking the thrill of adventure, fly high in a hot air balloon ride, experience white-knuckle rapids while river rafting, or enjoy the breath-taking scenery of cliffs and rock formations as you abseil in the Maluti Mountains.

If music ignites your senses, you’ll relish in Lush’s live music line-up including American rock band Bowling For Soup, Dave Depper (from Death Cab For Cutie), Kyp Malone (from TV on the Radio), Laura Burhenn (from The Mynabirds), Pierce Brothers (AUS), as well as a wealth of top South African talent including Anton Goosen, Fokofpolisiekar, TiMO ODV, Jack Parow, Goodluck, Dewald Wasserfall, Monark, Albert Frost, WONDERboom, and many more.  There’s also delicious food on offer for those hungry to try something new and don’t worry about the trip back home every evening after your musical feast. An array of different accommodation in and around the Festival ensures you’ll settle comfortably for the night whether you’re an independent traveller who prefers camping or a glam packer who wants a boutique B&B to recharge in.

“The farm after 3 years of grooming and infrastructural support is becoming an incredibly gorgeous gem, somewhere beautiful to just be with friends – next to the river, under all the willow trees or in the poplar forest. Festival attendees will be able to make use of Mountain Bike Trails in the area and there will be a 5km fun run with a fancy-dress element taking place on Saturday 30 March, with various prizes for the top three finishers and those best dressed,” says Damon Forbes, festival organiser.

If there is one experience you’ll rush to tell your friends and family about, and will always remember yourself, it’s riding in a hot air balloon.

“A hot air balloon flight in Clarens is a truly spectacular experience,” says Warwick Cook of Hot Air Ballooning SA. “The Maluti mountains and the surrounding scenery is magnificent when viewed from above. The flight duration is about 45 minutes to an hour; we launch at sunrise (around 6am) because it is the only time the air is stable. The only control the pilot has is up or down; you drift with the wind so there is little or no turbulence during the flight, it’s just you and the elements. The pilot varies the height he flies at, from treetop height to about 300m above the ground. The crew deflates the balloon whilst our passengers enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne, then we return to the place of departure by vehicle, where a certificate is awarded to each guest. The total duration is about three hours from the time we meet until return.”

There will be also be a number of spaces open for festival attendees to go white water rafting in the surrounding Clarens rapids. The Ash River just outside Clarens is fed by the Trans Caledon Transfer Tunnel, which pumps water from the Katze Dam high up in the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho. The crystal-clear water flows down the Ash River all the way to the Vaal Dam creating the perfect playground for rafting enthusiasts. In addition to rafting, there’s abseiling off of rock cliffs on Linwood Farm while the festival is taking place.

Now a 4-day festival, organisers have ensured there’s ample accommodation for guests, who can make use of the self-catering hotels, B&Bs, backpackers and lodges as well as guest houses, guest farms and country inns available in and around the town. There will also be a number of ‘tented hotels’, erected by Harambee, who are famous for their camps at festivals. Each tent will have beds, power points for charging phones and will also include creature comforts like private showers, a restaurant catering for breakfast (included) and its own bar. By having these different facilities, festival goers can choose where to stay depending on their specific needs.

While Lush itself will take place on Linwood Farm – a well-protected farm – there will also be a frenzy of activities in and around Clarens itself. A sight-seeing hub, many of the homes, restaurants and shops in this century-old town were crafted from sandstone, contributing to the town’s appeal. Art lovers will marvel at the number of galleries, design studios and art markets, while shoppers will delight with an endless assortment of crafts and curios.

Lush promises to be a world-class festival and a fun escape for locals and international visitors alike. After all, it’s about living for today and enjoying every moment.

Select your tickets from these options:

*** Please Note: LUSH now has a financing option with Mobicred where you can place your initial payment now and secure your ticket and then do a top up payment for the balance of payment. Sign up at https://www.mobicred.co.za/nutickets/

Lush Weekender
Phase 1: R695 (excluding R45 Ticket Service Fee) – http://lush.nutickets.co.za/lush2018

• All Weekend Access
• Valid Thursday – Sunday
• Excludes Camping
• Accommodation Off Site
• Free & Safe On Site Parking

Lush Weekender 12 AND UNDER
Phase 1: R395 (Excluding R45 Ticket Service Fee) – http://lush.nutickets.co.za/lush2018

• All Weekend Access
• Valid Thursday – Sunday
• Excludes Camping
• Accommodation Off Site
• Free & Safe On Site Parking

Lush Camper
Phase 1: R745 (Excluding R45 Ticket Service Fee) – http://lush.nutickets.co.za/lush2018

• All Weekend Access
• Valid Thursday – Sunday
• Includes General Camping
• Accommodation On Site
• Toilets & Showers
• Free & Safe On Site Parking
• *Tents Not Included
• Please note that NO UNDER 18s may camp on site. Under 18s are welcome to attend daily with parents/responsible adults but not allowed to camp.

Lush PLUS+ Camper
Phase 1: R1395 (Excluding R60 Ticket Service Fee) – http://lush.nutickets.co.za/lush2018

• All Weekend Access
• Valid Thursday – Sunday
• Limited Premium Camping
• Own Festival Entrance
• Upgraded Toilets & Showers
• Accommodation On Site
• Electrical Point Access
• Safe Parking In Designated Zone
• *Tents Not Provided
• Please note that NO UNDER 18s may camp on site. Under 18s are welcome to attend daily with parents/responsible adults but not allowed to camp.

DAY TICKET options (available per day for Friday, Saturday OR Sunday – pick your favourite day):

http://lush.nutickets.co.za/lush2018

• DAY TICKETS – ADULTS: R345 (Excluding R45 Ticket Service Fee)
• DAY TICKETS – KIDS 12yrs And Under: R245 (Excluding R35 Ticket Service Fee)

LUSH – A Festival In Clarens – presented by OFM and KykNET
29 March to 2 April 2018
Gates open 1pm Thursday March 29^th for camping
Address: Linwood Farm, R711, Clarens, Free State
Tickets on sale from http://lush.nutickets.co.za/lush2018
Budweiser is a proud sponsor of LUSH Festival 2018

For more info, follow LUSH Festival online:

https://www.lushfestival.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lushfestival
https://twitter.com/lushfestival