What: Overland Fest 2023
Where: Fenyes Extrem Park, Hungary — 47.6678799, 18.3110601
When: 25 – 27.08.2023
Following a pilot event in 2022, the Overland Fest 2023 marks the launch of a new annual event held on the Pannonian Basin (Carpathian Basin), dedicated to overlanders, adventures and outdoor enthusiasts.
Steeped in history, the Pannonian Basin has attracted various peoples throughout the centuries including the Romans, Hasburgs, Ottomans, Huns and the Magyars, who established the Princiality of Hungary in 895.
The organisers took the decision to stage the Overland Fest 2023 toward the end of August to coincide with travellers returning from their summer holidays or setting out for an autumn adventure.
Located between Vienna and Budapest, adjacent to a nature reserve and in close proximity to some beautiful lakes, the venue is easy to find by entering 47.6678799, 18.3110601 into your GPS or, you can join one of two groups leaving from Budapest on August 25th and take an offroad trail to the festival ground.
FAMILY EVENT
Overland Fest 2023 is a family event. Besides a campground with showers and toilets, there are two swimming pools, a lake, where you can also swim, and a nature trail with planked walkways that take you across a protected swamp area.
If you’re quick, there are even a few huts to rent, if you prefer to sleep under a roof.
On August 27th, drivers and their cars can join a guided tour for some offroading.
During the evenings, live music and a roaring campfire make a central meeting point where visitors can swap ideas and share their overlanding plans and past experiences.
WORKSHOPS
There will be a series of workshops to improve your overlanding skills:
- Safe recovery
- Winching
- Offroad driving techniques
- First aid for overlanders
- and more
COMPETITIONS
Centred around topics covered by the workshops, there will be a number of competitions where participants can win useful overloading and off-road gear.
CATERING
If you’re in Hungary, you should expect to savour some of the country’s most traditional dishes alongside popular snacks.
There will even be a competition to determine who can create the best home-made goulash, paprika chicken, lángosch, and other Balkan specialities.
INEOS GRENADIER
INEOS GABLINI are bringing two Grenadiers with them for demonstration purposes and several new owners will be joining the presentation.
If you haven’t yet had a chance to take a closer look at the Built on Purpose 4×4, this is an excellent opportunity to speak to the experts and gain some first hand experience of the car in its natural environment.
PETS POLICY
Dogs are welcome, but should be kept under control at all times and on a short leash in public areas. Owners are responsible for clearing any messes pets may leave behind.
EARLY BIRD PRICING
For bookings made in July, costs are:
- 1 Car including two persons 18+: HUF 11000 / € 29,40*
- 1 person 18+, no car: HUF 2500 / € 6,70*
- Person under 18: free
Tickets at the gate: HUF 13000 / € 34,75*
*Euro prices are calculated at the valid exchange rate on the date of publication.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Kornel Müller, event organiser, explained to me that all proceeds from the Overland Fest 2023 will be donated to the Pediatric Center Tüzoltó Street Department of the Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine.
This hospital is one of the most recognised institutions in the country and is specialised in all kinds of pediatric care. In order to maintain the amazing service it provides to the children and their families, it is dependent upon donations and external support.
The proceeds donated by the Overland Fest will go in full directly to the hospital.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
If you are in the area anyway, or, if you haven’t yet fixed your holiday plans and would consider exploring Hungary, the Overland Fest 2023 promises to be a memorable event. In beautiful surroundings, you can stop for three days, meet like-minded travellers, learn new skills, savour local cuisine, and basically have a good time.