Timbuktu and the Sahara Desert
Independent Pre-planned 13-day Journey

Starts in Bamako on any day

Visiting Bamako, Ségou, Djenne, Mopti, Timbuktu, the Sahara Desert,
Sangha, Dogon Territory and the Bandiagara Escarpment
including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites
 

Your Trip, Your Way

The trip described below is one which we have previously offered as one of our own Private Journeys. Since we are not offering this trip as a group departure this year, we have made it available as a custom-designed itinerary.

We can start this trip on any date and can accommodate any number of travellers. The itinerary can be followed exactly as shown or we can add or subtract days as required to suit your exact needs.

Along the way we will provide expert guides and private air-conditioned vehicles in all locations. We'll pre-arrange all breakfasts and any other meals that you require. We have suggested meals in the itinerary below, but we can adjust this to suit your tastes.

And while we show recommended hotel names in many of the locations on the itinerary as well, we can also adjust the hotels to suit whatever comfort level you prefer.

In short, we'll start with this itinerary and modify it in any way you like.

We'll take care of the details. Then all you have to do is arrive and enjoy your journey.

 

Introduction

From Algeria to Zimbabwe, pyramids to safaris, cotton to mangos, jungles to deserts; Africa has so much to offer the traveller. Unique cultures, diverse religions, historic sites, local music, strange languages, unfamiliar surroundings and interesting people all make you feel more alive as you travel through this magnificent continent.

You've probably had Timbuktu on your mind since you were in grade school. The thought may go away for awhile, but it always comes back. Is there such a place? What's it like? Where is it exactly? How do you get there? What would you do if you did go there? What else is there to see?

We'd love to answer all your questions. Throughout this amazing journey you'll not only clear up the mystery, but you'll collect enough conversational ammunition for a decade of cocktail parties.

But make no mistake about it. One doesn't travel to Timbuktu just to see Timbuktu. One travels there for the "journey", not only the destination.

Travel independently through ancient villages, exciting towns, busy markets, cultural sites, archaeological wonders and more, all in comfort and safety. Visit with local people and experience their lifestyles. You'll travel in desert-equipped 4x4s, on camels, in boats and on foot. You'll sample local foods. You'll watch the sunset over the sand dunes. You'll do hundreds of things you have never even thought of. And, oh yes, somewhere in the middle of it all, you'll get to Timbuktu.

At all times, TrailFinders support remains with you - there when you need it! Personal guides and drivers will escort you throughout this wonderful part of the world - to offer advice, to smooth any bumps in the road and to make sure your experience is the best it can possibly be.

Let us share this incredible place with you! Come in and talk to us or call us soon.

 

The Journey

In response to requests from many of our well-travelled clients, we created this spectacular journey into the magnificent Sahara Desert. Of course we include three UNESCO World Heritage sites including...

• the ancient trading village of Timbuktu

• the old town of Djenne; and,

• the Cliffs of Bandiagara.

But this is not all that the exciting country of Mali has to offer. You'll also visit the bustling capital of Bamako; the village of Sekoro, the former capital of the Bambara kingdom; the city of Ségou on the banks of the Niger River; the river port city of Mopti; the tribes of Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Fulani and Songhay; the sands of the Sahara Desert; Dogon country where we visit Songho and Sangha villages, seeing circumcision grotto, rock paintings and Animist and Islamic settlements. Visit cliff villages, cave dwellings and a sanctuary of sacred crocodiles. Witness a Dogon mask dance and visit the Hogon, the spiritual leader of the Dogon.

This trip is truly a special journey and one that should not be missed by any intrepid traveller, but prior to booking this journey, prospective travellers should keep in mind that a trip to Mali is not for everyone. The infrastructure in Mali is poor and your expectations must be reasonable.

If the itinerary is not exactly what you need, of course we can adjust it according to your wishes. Longer? Shorter? In different places? In different hotels? Whatever... And, if you wish to extend your trip in Africa after this trip, we have many options.

Let us create a special journey just for you. Come in and talk to us or call us soon. We can be reached at 613-789-1900 in Ottawa or Toll-free at 888-765-7662. Alternately, you can click here to send us e-mail.

The Recommended Itinerary (for a map of this journey click here)
 

Day 1	BAMAKO – GUEST ARRIVALS Upon your arrival today at Bamako airport you'll be met by the TrailFinders' representative and transferred to the hotel. Overnight at the Grand Hotel.
Day 2	BAMAKO (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. The early part of the morning is free for you to have a leisurely breakfast and familiarize yourself with the facilities of the hotel. Around 9:30, depart for a full day of escorted sightseeing in and around the city. You'll visit 'Point G', one of the highest outlook points in the area, offering a bird's-eye view of Bamako. At appropriate times during the day, you'll also visit the Bamako municipal museum, the cathedral, the National Museum and one of the local markets. At an appropriate time today, you'll stop for lunch at a local restaurant. You may also visit the local artisans village if you wish, before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner at the hotel whenever you feel hungry. Overnight at the Grand Hotel.
Day 3	BAMAKO - SEGOU (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, depart around 9:00 from Bamako in your 4x4 vehicle for the 5-hour drive to Ségou, Mali's second-largest city. On the way, you'll stop at Wolodo village to observe the production of Shea Butter. You'll also stop at a local school and have a chance to converse with the students and teachers. After checking in at the hotel, have a late lunch and then head out to visit Sekoro village. This interesting remnant of the capital of the Bambara kingdom is now a sleepy village on the banks of the Niger River. Return to the hotel for happy hour and a wonderful dinner with traditional Malian music and dances. Overnight at the Independance Hotel.
Day 4	SEGOU - SAN - DJENNE (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. This morning visit a workshop where traditional mudcloth is made. Mudcloth is a Malian specialty, totally handmade from the raising and harvesting of the cotton plants to spinning the thread to weaving the cloth to the dyeing process which utilizes special mud. Afterwards, begin your 5-hour drive to Djenné, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the way, you'll stop in the town of San for lunch. Upon arriving at the river, cross by small ferry and arrive at the hotel in the centre of town. Djenné, the oldest known city in sub-Saharan Africa is situated on the floodlands of the Niger and Bani rivers. Founded by merchants around 800 AD (near the site of an older city dating from around 250 BC), Djenné flourished as a meeting place for traders and by the 16th century was Mali's most important trading center. Djenné is now an agricultural trade center, of diminished importance, with several beautiful examples of Muslim architecture, including its Great Mosque. The Great Mosque is built on a raised plinth platform of rectangular sun-dried mud bricks that are held together by mud mortar and plastered over with mud. The walls vary in thickness between sixteen and twenty-four inches, depending upon their height. These massive walls are necessary in order to bear the weight of the tall structure and also provide insulation from the sun's heat. During the day, the walls gradually warm up from the outside; at night, they cool down again. This helps the interior of the mosque to stay cool all day long. The rest of the afternoon is free to rest or wander the streets of this fascinating town. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the Campement hotel in Djenné.
Day 5	DJENNE - MOPTI (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, you'll have a few hours to visit the local market before departing for the port, crossing the river by ferry and driving to Mopti, about 3-hours away. On the way, make a short stop at the Bead Museum in Sevaré. Mopti is known as the "Venice of Mali" for its unique geography in a location between the Bani and the Niger rivers. It's a main commercial hub, the river terminus of the salt trade and is also considered Mali's melting pot, since here, many local tribes converge to buy and sell their produce. There are representatives from the Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani and Songhay tribes, just to name a few. Upon arrival, check into our hotel and have lunch. This afternoon, visit the Komoguel Mosque and a local market before heading for the busy port. We recommend having a drink at the Bar Bozo, overlooking the port. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Kanaga.
Day 6	MOPTI - TIMBUKTU (B,L,D) Early breakfast at the hotel. This morning, depart in your 4x4 vehicle and drive to the town of Douentza where you turn north-eastward, following a desert road to Bambara-Maounde where you head out into the desert following a simple track to the Niger River. Once you reach the river, take a small ferry to the north shore and make the short drive to Timbuktu, arriving sometime in the afternoon. Lunch may be difficult to find along the way today, so your guide will ask the staff at the Kanaga Hotel to pack a sandwich for you before leaving Mopti this morning. After arriving in Timbuktu check into the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at La Maison Timbuktu
Day 7	TIMBUKTU - SAHARA DESERT - TIMBUKTU (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, embark on a walking tour of Timbuktu with your Tuareg guide. You'll see the old mosques - formerly universities - and the museum and its archives of ancient Islamic manuscripts from the era when Timbuktu was a great center of learning in the Muslim world. You'll come upon the houses of the famous explorers - Gordon Laing, Rene Caillié and Heinrich Barth. Visit the market and the artisans' center where beautiful leatherwork and silver jewellery is being made. You may also have an opportunity to visit a Koranic school and observe the children learning the Koran. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, embark on an excursion into the Sahara Desert by camel to visit a Tuareg camp. Here you'll enjoy a traditional meal of roasted lamb (méchoui) with your Tuareg hosts who will celebrate your visit with a Takamba - a traditional saber dance. Later, return back to Timbuktu. Overnight at La Maison Timbuktu.
Day 8	TIMBUKTU AND THE SAHARA DESERT (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. Full day free to wander around Timbuktu on your own. Lunch at the hotel. If the previous day's trip into the desert did not take you to the area of the major sand dunes, your guide will take you out there in the late afternoon. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at La Maison Timbuktu.
Day 9	TIMBUKTU - SANGHA, DOGON TERRITORY (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. Today, depart from Timbuktu early and drive southward, retracing your path to the town of Douentza, where you'll stop for lunch. From here, head southward, across the desert toward Dogon territory and the Bandiagara Escarpment. The drive will be long and can be rough and dusty in spots. The sandstone cliffs of the escarpment rise about 500 meters above the plain and stretch for approximately 150 Km. The area is inhabited today by the Dogons, a tribe that pushed out the earlier Tellem people who used to live in cave dwellings along the cliffs. Dozens of Dogon villages are now located along the base of the cliffs just below the ancient caves. Many of the inhabitants of these villages are traditional animist. Early this evening we will arrive at the Dogon village of Sangha on top of the escarpment. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the simple Campement Hotel in Sangha.
Day 10	SANGHA AND DOGON TERRITORY (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. A full day exploring Dogon villages and the surrounding countryside. This morning we first visit the lookout at the top of the escarpment near the village of Sangha from which we can see the lower village of Banani and the desert stretching out toward Burkina Faso. Then descend to the base of the cliff and visit one or more of the Dogon villages situated there. Here you can visit with the Dogon people, see ancient Tellem cave dwellings in the cliff face and also visit the sacred crocodile sanctuary. Afterwards, return to the hotel for lunch, then visit the two Dogon villages near the hotel - Hogol du haut and Hogol du Bas - the upper and lower villages. Here you'll see traditional homes, meeting places, wells and public areas. You'll also encounter the Hogon, the spiritual leader of the Dogon people. Afterwards, witness the amazing Dogon Mask Dance. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the Campement Hotel in Sangha.
Day 11	SANGHA - MOPTI (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. Today, leave Dogon territory early to begin the drive back to Mopti. On the way, you'll stop at the village of Songho, where you'll have the opportunity to photograph a traditional Dogon village from a high vantage point. Songho is well-known for its rock paintings and its circumcision grotto, a location where circumcisions are still carried out on a regular basis. After arrival in Mopti, you'll check in to the hotel, have lunch and enjoy a bit of free time to catch up on your diary or simply relax at the pool. Around 4 pm, climb aboard a boat for a leisurely ride on the river, stopping at a traditional village and observing the way of life of the fishermen and others living in and around Mopti. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Kanaga.
Day 12	MOPTI - SAN - SEGOU (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, depart Mopti and drive southbound to Ségou, where you'll stop for the night on your way back to Bamako. Lunch at a local restaurant in San, enroute. Upon arrival in Ségou, check into the hotel in time for dinner. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the Independance Hotel.
Day 13	SEGOU - BAMAKO (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, depart from Ségou for the return drive to Bamako. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. You have a day room to allow you to relax, have a nap and shower before repacking for the long trip back to Canada. Dinner at the hotel prior to departing for the airport to board your flight.

 

Price

The price will be determined after the trip is designed the way you want it. We can change any aspect of the trip to meet your needs.

Accommodation

The accommodation recommended in the itinerary has been selected to meet the needs of the experienced Canadian traveller. Of course, we can adjust specific properties according to your wishes, however keep in mind that accommodation is limited in Mali. In some places even the best hotel in town is nothing to write home about.

We have suggested hotels with the best standards for cleanliness and comfort that we could find at a reasonable price.