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ACTIVITY
GROUP TRIPS
Timbuktu & Dogon Trails
Ref: MA
Mali
16 days Hotels/Camping - Among the Masked Dancers View map
Introduction
Mali, once West Africa's greatest merchant empire, conjures up
a spirit of adventure, of tiny villages and encounters with tribal
peoples. We marvel at the medieval mud town of Djenne, then board
our native pinasse for a 3-day cruise on the Niger River to Mopti.
After a visit to the fabled oasis of Timbuktu we make a 4-day foot
safari into wild Dogon country before returning to Bamako.
Tour information
Mud Mosque at Djenne
We drive to Old Segou, and then on to the old trading port of Djenne.
Its narrow alleyways and mud-brick Afro-Arab architecture make it
a place of wonder. The Grand Mosque here is the tallest dried-earth
building in the world. We ramble through Djenne's scenic market
which sells everything from stylised wood carvings and gold jewellery
to salt blocks and dried fish.
Niger Cruise & Timbuktu
We charter our own pinasse (a canvas-roofed motorised boat) to cruise
from Mopti to Timbuktu. We'll pull in to explore villages with friendly
fishermen, and to observe a variety of birdlife on the marshy shores.
At night we camp on the banks of the Niger, savouring the adventure
of cruising one of the world's greatest rivers. Finally, we arrive
in Timbuktu and explore the winding alleys of this intriguing city,
once a famous centre on the lucrative trans-Saharan caravan route,
wealthy from trade in cargoes of gold and salt.
In Dogon Country
Entering Dogon country - a wilderness of rock, shrub and barren
sands - we set out amongst the Dogon villages, exploring each village
and camping under the stars at night. Their characteristic flat-topped
and cone-roofed houses are stacked tightly together in tower-like
constructions below the great yellow sandstone cliffs of the Bandiagara
Escarpment. Little influenced by outsiders, Dogon tribal life is
ruled by magic and cosmology, symbolised in funeral celebrations
and spectacular masked dances which we hope to witness. Their carvings
are prized collectors' pieces.
Itinerary
1 Fly London/Bamako.
2 Arrive Bamako; morning tour of Bamako; drive to Segou.
3 In Segou; drive to Djenne.
4 In Djenne; drive to Mopti.
5 & 6 Cruising to Timbuktu on the Niger River.
7 Arrive Timbuktu.
8 Exploring Timbuktu.
9 4WD across the Sahel to Youga Nah.
10 to 13 Trekking in Dogon Country.
14 drive to Segou via Mopti.
15 Drive to Bamako.
16 Fly London.
Accommodation and Meals
7nts hotel, 2nts campement, 6nts wild camping; 14 breakfasts, 7
lunches & 6 dinners included.
Transport
Bus/4WD vehicles/Pinasse cruise (3 days)/On foot in Dogon Country
(4 days).
Comments
A unique adventure visiting one of Africa's traditional tribes.
Accommodation is basic. Walking in Dogon country is graded moderate
(3-6 hours a day) in hot, arid conditions. Our cruise provides the
chance to experience life along one of Africa's greatest rivers.
Group Size
Approx. 12 to 16.
Tour Staff
Tour Leader, driver(s), some local guides, cook and porters.
Dogon guide and boat crew.
Dates and Prices
Depart | Return | Price | updated: 01/01/70 01:00:00. |
Return to main Mali page
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Group trips usually have between 10 - 18 people, with a good
mix of male and female, singles and couples, with most aged
between 25 - 55. They are run by a number of specialist companies
that we have worked with closely for many years. If you are
travelling by yourself, or enjoy the sociablility of other
like minded travellers, these are the trips for you.
All prices include air fares from London.
Footloose can book these trips for
you, at no extra cost, and give you the benefit of our personal
advice and service. We can also organise different flights
and add-on excursions.
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