Mali

The country of adobe

Mali is West Africa’s jewel of the crown, a destination that has all the right ingredients. The country occupies the heart of a territory that once supported Africa’s greatest empires and can still feel the breath of history. The most dramatic historical attractions – the legendary city of Timbuktu, a name that never lost its allure for travelers, the gloriously improbable mosque at Djenné and the bustling river port of Mopti are simply three among many.

Mali’s history has always been related to deserts and rivers. The lucrative trade routes of the Sahara once included the region among the world’s richest, and the Niger, one of the grand old rivers of Africa, is still the vein of life of the country. Travelling along the Niger River route (preferably on a slow boat to Timbuktu) is one of the continent’s great adventures. Not far from the riverbank, the extraordinary “Falaise de Bandiagara” rises up from the plains, and shelters one of West Africa’s most intriguing people – the Dogon, whose villages and complex cultural rituals still cling to the edge of rocky cliffs. 

The routes offered by Middle-Africa have been designed so that the traveller gets easily introduced to this magnificent country. Our team of ethnologists and local guides offer multiple paths to deepen the Sahel cultures of Mali and neighbouring Burkina, giving special importance to interaction with local inhabitants and understanding of the worldview of the latter through its architecture, dances and daily activities.

1. Mali is one of the most aesthetically attractive countries from West Africa. 
2. The Malian adobe architecture is unique and spectacular. The medieval city of Djenné, on the banks of the Niger River, is the utmost expression of adobe architecture and here you can find the imposing mosque being declared a UNESCO monument.
3. Reaching the legendary city of Timbuktu, door to the Sahara. 
4. The fascinating cultural mix of people, from the nomadic Tuareg in the desert to the Niger fishing societies of the Bozo. As a result of this mixture one can still find amazing ceremonies, world-famous musical traditions and traditional cultures. 
5. The Bandiagara Fault, magical universe of the Dogon people.
6. Travelling the great Niger River whilst enjoying its bends and towns of adobe, watching life go by.
7. The port of Mopti with its large dugout canoes or “pinasse” full of people, livestock and equipment used for trade along the river. 
8. The hospitality and friendliness of Malian. 
9. The colours and smells of its ethnic markets. Not to be missed is the Djenné market in front of the mosque (on Mondays).
10. Mali is the ideal country to get to know the Sahel part of Africa for its safety and minimum hotel infrastructure.