Discover Mali and the Land of the Dogons

Mali is a colourful and vibrant destination. We will see places that have resisted all foreign influence. We enter a world of small fortresses and enormous mud mosques. Discover the many villages, take part in cultural traditions, and step back in time as you explore this so-called 'Jewel of West Africa'. There wi will see an elaborate mask dance. Travelling here is a little like stepping back to the old ages. Sadly it’s not currently possible to visit Timbuktu and most of the Dogon villages, but even without this Mali has a huge amount to offer, and one cannot say that one truly knows West Africa without visited at least once.

Day 1: Arrive Bamako
Arrive Bamako, you will be met, assisted and transferred to our hotel.

Day 2: Bamako – Koumantou - Sikasso
After Breakfast, from Bamako,you will proceed to Sikasso with a stopover in Koumantou village to visit the village, interact with local people.
Continue to Sikasso, Mali’s breadbasket learn the history of the city while visiting places like the museum, the Mamelon Hill, the Mausoleum of Tieba King of Kenedougou Kingdom from 1866-1893, the house of Keletigui, the ruins of the Tata wall that encircled and protected the city against invasions being renovated by UNESCO.

Day 3: Samogho and Senoufo Villages
After breakfast you will proceed to visit Loulouli, continue to a typical Samogho and Senoufo villages called Fakokouroukoro in the area of Loulouni. Back to Sikasso for overnight.

Day 4: Sikasso – San – Segou
After breakfast and en-route to Segou via Koutiala, the capital of white gold (cotton), pass through rich agricultural lands of southern Mali. You can visit local villages with granaries on the way. From Koutiala make a detour to visit San to see the local mosque, designed as a replica of the Djenne Grand Mosque and visit Terekoungo a typical Bobo village, site of a sacred well inhabited by protector spirits of the Bobo people, the fetish house and the millet beer-making process Drive to Segou for overnight .

Day 5: Segou. Boat trip to Bambara
Ségou is the former colonial administrative center on the right bank of Niger River
From here we will visit Sékoro village, the former capital of the Bambara kingdom where you will see the tomb of King Biton Mamary Coulibaly. and the mosque that King Biton built for hir mother. A boat trip in a traditional motorized pinasse (flat bottomed fishing boat) on the River Niger to the Bambara village.. Return to Segou for overnight.

Day 6: Segou – Bamako
After a 3-hours drive we reach Bamako. The city tour will start with visiting Point G, the hill overviewing Mali’s capital
Continue to the city’s craft bazaar to see sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewelers and metal workers exhibiting their wares and displaying their skills. One area of the market is devoted entirely to traditional African medicines. Here we'll find the freshly shrunken heads of birds, monkeys and crocodiles, along with lizard skins. Hotel in Bamako.

Day 7: Bamako- Siby – Nana Kenieba – Bamako
After breakfast we drive to the mountain village of Mandé in the Western region of Mali (60 Km) from Bamako. In Mande, we will learn about the history of Sundiata Keita, the legendary former king of the ancient Malian Empire. Several of Mali’s ethnic groups including Dogon, Bambara, Malinke, Kassonke, Minianka, Senoufo, and Bobo originate from this area. In Siby we will see the arch of Kamandjan and the cave of Kamandjan. Back to Bamako for overnight.

Day 8: Departure

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