March Festivals and Events in Africa

March sees the final days of Africa's biggest film festival, FESPACO, held in Burkina Faso's capital city, Ouagadougou. March also brings the Marathon Des Sables, an event that makes me sweat just reading about it. The Marathon Des Sables requires participants to carry their own camping equipment while running 151 miles through the Sahara Desert in Morocco. Believe it or not, the 6 day race is so popular; next year's event is already fully booked. You'll have to apply now to run in the 2009 race.

Less tiring and just as fun is Cape Town's Festival, a two week long celebration of the arts held in venues across the city. And Mauritius will be filled with color as the Hindu population celebrate Holi. Holi is one of those festivals you have to participate in to believe. Basically you're licensed to run around with huge bottles of colorful paint which you can daub on any passer by. Find out more about Holi from About.com's Hinduism Guide, and find out more about Africa's festivals and events in March by clicking here.

Image © FESPACO 2007