African music festivals: Lake of Stars and 6 others you’ll want to hear

By Lorraine Bgoya and Mazuba Kapambwe, The Fest Gurus, Special to CNN
4 minute read
Published 7:03 AM EST, Fri February 21, 2014
Cape Town International Jazz Festival is touted as "Africa's Grandest Gathering." Every year it boasts five stages and over 40 artists performing over two nights. Pictured is U.S. singer Erykah Badu, who will perform at the 2014 event.
Cape Town Jazz Festival - South Africa —
Cape Town International Jazz Festival is touted as "Africa's Grandest Gathering." Every year it boasts five stages and over 40 artists performing over two nights. Pictured is U.S. singer Erykah Badu, who will perform at the 2014 event.
Luna Matto
Lake of Stars takes place annually on the shores of Lake Malawi and in Malawi's capital of Lilongwe. The festival has attracted many international artists such as BBC Radio 1's Mistajam, a champion of UK underground music
Lake Of Stars - Malawi —
Lake of Stars takes place annually on the shores of Lake Malawi and in Malawi's capital of Lilongwe. The festival has attracted many international artists such as BBC Radio 1's Mistajam, a champion of UK underground music
Courtesy: Lake of Stars
British dance DJ Goldierocks spins the revelers into a dancing frenzy at Lake of Stars.
Lake Of Stars - Malawi —
British dance DJ Goldierocks spins the revelers into a dancing frenzy at Lake of Stars.
Courtesy Lake of Stars
Every year, The Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival features singers, dancers, theater troupes, fortune tellers, fire-swallowers, and snake charmers from all over Morocco and abroad.
Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival - Morocco —
Every year, The Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival features singers, dancers, theater troupes, fortune tellers, fire-swallowers, and snake charmers from all over Morocco and abroad.
Courtesy La Fondation des Festivals de Marrakesh
The main events take place in the 16th century El Badi palace ruins and the Djemma el Fna (main town square). The festival blends wide range of genres including traditional Berber musicians.
Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival - Morocco —
The main events take place in the 16th century El Badi palace ruins and the Djemma el Fna (main town square). The festival blends wide range of genres including traditional Berber musicians.
Courtesy La Fondation des Festivals de Marrakesh
Sauti za Busara, which translates as "Sounds of Wisdom," is also nicknamed "The Friendliest Festival on the Planet." Visitors can enjoy music performances as well as various shows and exhibitions held by local artists.
Sauti Za Busara - Tanzania —
Sauti za Busara, which translates as "Sounds of Wisdom," is also nicknamed "The Friendliest Festival on the Planet." Visitors can enjoy music performances as well as various shows and exhibitions held by local artists.
Robin Batista
One of Uganda's best young folk artists Joel Sebunjo plays at Sauti za Busara. This year, the festival features more than 200 artists from 32 countries.
Sauti Za Busara - Tanzania —
One of Uganda's best young folk artists Joel Sebunjo plays at Sauti za Busara. This year, the festival features more than 200 artists from 32 countries.
Link Reuben
Sauti za Busara included a street carnival parade on the opening day, professional networking forum, and screenings of award-winning African music feature films.
Sauti Za Busara - Tanzania —
Sauti za Busara included a street carnival parade on the opening day, professional networking forum, and screenings of award-winning African music feature films.
Link Reuben
Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) is a six-day event that showcases the very best of local and international culture to celebrate the healing and constructive capacity of the arts.
HIFA - Zimbabwe —
Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) is a six-day event that showcases the very best of local and international culture to celebrate the healing and constructive capacity of the arts.
Macpherson Photographers /HIFA
HIFA features various genres including theater, dance, craft, design and music. Here American Opera singers are accompanied by an international orchestra and a locally assembled Festival Chorus.
HIFA - Zimbabwe —
HIFA features various genres including theater, dance, craft, design and music. Here American Opera singers are accompanied by an international orchestra and a locally assembled Festival Chorus.
Matthew Mitchell/HIFA
HIFA is widely praised for bringing together socially and culturally disparate groups of Zimbabweans and sending a positive message about the country at a time of political uncertainty.
HIFA - Zimbabwe —
HIFA is widely praised for bringing together socially and culturally disparate groups of Zimbabweans and sending a positive message about the country at a time of political uncertainty.
Courtesy HIFA
Since 2009, tourists from all over southern Africa and the world descend upon Victoria Falls for an exceptional New Year's party - Vic Falls Carnival.
Vic Falls Carnival - Zimbabwe —
Since 2009, tourists from all over southern Africa and the world descend upon Victoria Falls for an exceptional New Year's party - Vic Falls Carnival.
Courtesy Jameson Vic Falls Carnival
In addition to concerts and shows, Vic Falls Carnival visitors can enjoy bungee jumping, elephant safari, and white water rafting.
Vic Falls Carnival - Zimbabwe —
In addition to concerts and shows, Vic Falls Carnival visitors can enjoy bungee jumping, elephant safari, and white water rafting.
Courtesy Jameson Vic Falls Carnival
Bushfire calls on visitors to "Bring their Fire" to the Festival and into their everyday lives, and to promote a collective response for positive change.
Bushfire Festival - Swaziland —
Bushfire calls on visitors to "Bring their Fire" to the Festival and into their everyday lives, and to promote a collective response for positive change.
Courtesy Bushfire Festival
Bushfire festival helps nurture the Swazi arts and cultural scene. Organizers say they give 100% of the profits to orphans and to the non-profit rural community development project.
Bushfire Festival - Swaziland —
Bushfire festival helps nurture the Swazi arts and cultural scene. Organizers say they give 100% of the profits to orphans and to the non-profit rural community development project.
Courtesy Bushfire Festival
7 African music festivals that are too good to miss

Editor’s Note: Lorraine Bgoya and Mazuba Kapambwe host “The Fest Gurus” – a travel/docu-reality web series that follows four young Africans with a festival bucket list. The latest episode, The Fest Gurus X Hifa, can be viewed here.

Story highlights

"Fest Gurus" are on a mission to visit every major festival in Africa

They pick seven of the continent's must-see music festivals

Lake Of Stars -- in Malawi -- has been called the "world's finest festival"

CNN  — 

One of the most exciting things about the African continent is its dynamic arts and culture scene. The celebration of this is even more amazing. The Fest Gurus have set out on a journey to visit every major festival on the continent to share their beauty and tell a different story about Africa through the exploration of its arts, culture and music.

Festivals are not just a good time but a key element in the development of the arts scene, one of Africa’s hidden treasures. Here are seven of the continent’s best:

1. Lake Of Stars: Malawi