Adventure holidays,travel, treks and tours in Mali, Sahara and Timbuktu

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Mali, landlocked by other West African countries, confuses your geography. More than half the country is desert and yet through its centre flows the great River Niger. Mention Timbukto and the confusion thickens. But this glorious confusion hides the 'Jewel of West Africa', a land rich in culture set in remarkable landscapes. History and position have given Mali a rich and varied past.

Timbuktu was, and still is, the centre for trade across the Sahara between the Arab North and Black Africa to the south with salt, gold and slaves being the most common commodities.

In the south of the country, the River Niger connects many of the West African countries and has long been a main highway for trade and the movement of peoples. The very different landscape areas each have their own customs and traditions. The French arrived in 1883 and left their distinctive colonial stamp on all of this. Independent since 1960, Mali has retained this diverse culture which makes a visit so rewarding.

There are two main areas which are interesting to visit: Northern Sahara Region and the Central Sahel.

- Private trips organised to suit you

- Fixed date group tours

- Fixed date tours with group activities

Northern Region

This is the area centred on Timbukto, but with a lot of desert to the north. The town has lost some of its former importance as a trading post and a centre for art and learning, but the magic remains. The present century is not too evident and modern comforts are not abundant. Camel caravans occasionally arrive from the north and Tuaregs, with their distinctive traditional robes, still trade here. Day trips and overnights into the desert with the Tuareg are easily arranged.

Central Sahel Region

Most of the cities of Mali lie in this area, linked by the Niger River. Any travel in Mali will include a journey on or beside the river, either on one of the river boats, or perhaps an afternoon ride in a pirogue. The main cities are the lively capital, Bamako, where you'll almost certainly arrive, Mopti, with its mosque and market, and the famous mosque at Djenne.

Dogon Country One of the most interesting (and famous) areas in West Africa, it's the huge Bandiagara Escarpment in the south east of Mali. The area is home to the Dogon people, with their distinctive art, culture and society. The villages are built high on the cliffs of the escarpment, and the design of individual houses based on a body shape. The society is strongly agriculturally based and the fields and granaries can be seen on the cliff face. The best way to visit this area, and to see and meet the people, is by trekking along the escarpment edge. We can arrange trips for anything from two to ten days, and this can be combined with visits to other parts of the country.

Very few organised tours visit Mali, and in the Footloose tradition, we are able to organise any itinerary for you. A short trip might include visits to the main towns, a day or two in Dogon Country and some time in and around Timbukto. If you have more time, a rewarding way to spend it would be to go on a longer trek in Dogon Country or a more serious expedition into the Sahara. Itineraries

We have several itineraries for Mali, which can be taken separately, combined or included as part of a wider tour of West Africa. Please ask for more details and prices.

Mali: Festival in the Desert Tours
Mali's music and Tuareg culture festival in the desert is one-of-a-kind, modelled on traditional gatherings and celebrations of the Tuareg people, the "Blue Men of the Desert." Footloose is now able to offer tours to the festival, taking place in January 2009.

Bamako and Dogon Trekking

Day 1 Arrive Bamako

Day 2 Guided sight-seeing in Bamako

Day 3 Drive to Djenne and on to Bandiagara

Day 4 Trekking along Escarpment

Day 5 Trekking

Day 6 Trekking

Day 7 Return to Bamako

Tour Ref: ML11

Private daily departures throughout the year.

International flight (not included) from £600.

Bamako to Timbuktu

Day 1 Arrive Bamako

Day 2 Guided tour of Bamako

Day 3 Drive to Mopti

Day 4 Tour of Mopti

Day 5 Tour of Djenne

Day 6 River boat

Day 7 River boat

Day 8 Timbuktu

Day 9 Timbuktu

Day 10 Fly to Bamako

Tour Ref: ML12

Private daily departures throughout the year.

International flight (not included) from £600.

Timbuktu to Sahara

Expeditions to the north of Timbuktu into the Sahara can be arranged. Travel by camel or jeep or a combination can be arranged.

At present it is not possible to visit this area because of security risks.

River Niger

Extended trips on the river can be arranged, either on the public ferry or by private boat.

Footloose Travel is a leading specialist for independent travel to Mali. We can tailor-make all your trek, hotel, transport and tour requirements. We offer all the security of booking with a UK company together with extensive local knowledge.

For more details about our pricing (opens in a new pop-up window)

The northern Sahara region of Mali receives virtually no rain and so can be visited at any time, although in summer months it becomes very hot. Further south in the Sahel region, there are rains from June until September. Before this it is hot and humid and the early part of the year is prone to hot, dusty winds. This really leaves October until December as the best time for a visit.

Pictures thanks to our agents in Mali