Mali and Senegal Tour — 11 days

Day 2 Sunday: Bamako - Djenne (570 km) (B)
After breakfast, 7-hour drive to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city; sightseeing en route; overnight in Djenne (Hotel Campement, or similar)

Day 3 Monday: Djenne - Dogon country (230 km) (B)
Visit Djenne on its weekly market day, when Djenne is at its colorful best; stroll around the market stalls, spread out before the magnificent Great Mosque, which is the world's largest mud brick architecture and one of Unesco's World Heritage sites; in the afternoon, 3-hour drive to Dogon country; overnight in Sangha (Hotel Campement Guina, or similar)

Day 4 Tuesday: Dogon country (B)
Visit Sangha, comprised of 10 distinct Dogon villages - some are traditional animist and others have converted to Islam; descend the Bandiagara escarpment and visit the village Banani; you will see ancient Tellem cave dwellings in the cliff face; continue to the villages Ireli, and Amani, site of a sanctuary for crocodiles which are sacred to the Dogon people; perhaps witness a Dogon mask dance ceremony in Tireli village; return to and overnight in Sangha (Hotel Campement Guina, or similar)

Day 5 Wednesday: Dogon country - Mopti (120 km) / Niger River (B)
Depart Dogon country today; but first, visit one final Dogon village: Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto; continue to Mopti, the Venice of Mali, nestled between the Niger and the Bani rivers; Mopti city tour, including the beautiful mosque, the fishing port and the bustling market; enjoy a sunset sail on the Niger River in a traditional pirogue; overnight in Mopti (Hotel Kanaga, or similar)

Day 6 Thursday: Mopti - Bamako (640 km) (B)
After breakfast, 7-hour return drive to Bamako; en route, visit Terekongo village, site of a sacred well inhabited by protector spirits of the Bobo people; every morning a sacrificial chicken is offered to the spirits to assure the well-being of the village; overnight in Bamako (Grand Hotel, or similar)

Day 7 Friday: Bamako - Dakar, SENEGAL (B)
Bamako city tour, including a panoramic overview of the city from Point G; visit the National Museum, the city market and the artisans' village, where you will see craftsmen at work: silversmiths, wood carvers, weavers, and leather workers; in the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Dakar; in Dakar, transfer to your hotel; overnight in Dakar (Sofitel Teranga, or similar)

Day 8 Saturday: Dakar / Goree Island - Saint Louis (265 km) (B)
City tour of Dakar including the colorful Kermel market; then board the ferry for Goree Island, old slavery depot for some 300 years; visit the House of Slaves and the Historical Museum; lunch on Goree, then return by ferry and drive (~3 hours) to historic Saint Louis; overnight in Saint Louis (Hotel Cap St.Louis, or similar)

Day 9 Sunday: Saint Louis / Parc Djoudj (60 km) (B)
Excursion to the Parc Djoudj national bird sanctuary, another of Unesco's World Heritage sites, and one of the richest in birds in the world; enjoy a pirogue ride to better view the many species of cormorrants, pelicans, ducks, flamingos, various songbirds and more; you may also see crocodiles, boas and wild boars; in the afternoon, visit old colonial Saint Louis city; overnight in Saint Louis (Hotel Cap St.Louis, or similar)

Day 10 Monday: Saint Louis - Touba (175 km) - Saly (195 km) (B)
Depart St-Louis via Touba, the holy city of Mouride Islamic brotherhood; visit the beautiful giant mosque, 87 metres tall and visible for miles across the plain; lunch in Thies, and continue to Saly beach resort; overnight in Saly (Savana Saly, or similar)

Day 11 Tuesday: Saly - Dakar - final departure (B)
Relax on the beach, or enjoy one of the many activities available at the resort: surf boarding, jet skiing, tennis, etc.; afternoon transfer to Dakar airport for your final departure

Please note: during the rainy season (July/Aug/Sep) the visit to Parc Djoudj in Senegal is replaced by the Langue de Barbarie bird sanctuary, as Parc Djoudj is closed.