Bamako, Mali
West Africa
Tel/Fax +223 220 2708
sagatours@sagatours.com

Dogon masks dancing

Mali Explorer Tour - 11 days

Djenne, Dogon country, Mopti, Niger River, Segou, Bamako

Every tour is private, scheduled on dates of your choice; there are no fixed-date scheduled departures.

Contact us for prices. Groups of any size are welcome. Be sure to specify how many persons are in your party—prices are digressive, so a better value per person for a party of four than a party of two, etc.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Day 1: Arrival in Bamako, Mali
International flight arrives in Bamako; airport-to-hotel transfer; overnight in Bamako (Grand Hotel, or similar)

Day 2: Bamako - Djenne (570 km) (B)
Depart Bamako for 7-hour drive to Djenne; sightseeing en route; overnight in Djenne (Hotel Campement, or similar)

Day 3: Djenne - Sevare (120 km) (B)
Visit Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city; see the fabulous Great Mosque, the world's largest mud brick structure and one of Unesco's World Heritage sites; visit mudcloth artisans in their workshops; in the afternoon, drive to Sevare; overnight in Sevare (Hotel Siby, or similar)

Day 4: Sevare - Dogon country (110 km) (B,L,D)
Drive to Dogon country; visit the Dogon village Songo; see its renowned rock paintings and circumcision grotto; visit Sangha, Ogols and Bongo; see the women's house, the shrine of the Hogon (the Dogon people's spiritual leader); visit Dogon elders and the natural tunnel in Bongo; overnight camping at the Sangha-Tireli crossroads

Day 5: Dogon country (B,L,D)
Visit the Dogon village Tireli, where you will witness a traditional Dogon mask dance; overnight camping on the dunes of the village Ireli

Day 6: Dogon country (B,L,D)
Visit the Dogon villages Ireli and Banani (option to hike there); ascend the Bandiagara escarpment back to Sangha; overnight in Sangha (Hotel Campement, or similar)

Day 7: Dogon country - Mopti (120 km) - on the Niger River (B,L,D)
Depart Dogon country and drive back to Mopti; after lunch, begin your two-day sail on the Niger River; visit Bozo fishing villages and Fulani nomads' camps along the river; overnight camping on the river bank

Day 8: Niger River - Lake Debo (B,L,D)
Entire day of sailing the Niger River; village visits continue; arrive at Lake Debo; overnight camping on the beach

Day 9: Lake Debo - Niger River - Konna - Mopti (65 km)(B)
Sail back to the village Konna, where your vehicle will meet you and drive you back to Mopti; Mopti city tour: see the fishing port and the bustling market, where you will observe many of Mali's varied ethnic groups: Bambara, Bozo, Bobo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhay et Hausa; overnight in Mopti (Hotel Kanaga, or similar)

Day 10: Mopti - Segou (405 km) (B)
Depart Mopti for Segou (~4-hour drive); en route, visit Terekongo, the sacred well of the Bobo people; visit Segou, Mali's second largest city and former colonial administrative center; overnight in Segou (Hotel Independance, or similar)

Day 11: Segou - Bamako (235 km) (B)
Visit Sekoro, ancient capital of the Bambara kingdom, now just a sleepy village on the banks of the Niger River; see the tomb of king Biton Coulibaly; return drive (3 hours) to Bamako; Bamako city tour: see the National Museum, the city market and the artisans' village; after dinner, transfer to the airport for your final departure

1 km ~ 0.6 mile

Ideally, Day 3 would be a Monday, to visit Djenne on its colorful weekly market day.

NB: camping is no frills, sleeping on a ground mattress in a small tent; there are no campgrounds, so no running water, no latrines. Camping in Mali is not recommended for inexperienced campers.

Day-room optional in Bamako on Day 11; please specify if you would like to include a day-room.

NB: Hotels subject to availability.

Tour includes the following:

6 nights hotel, double occupancy
4 nights camping, including all camping essentials: tents, camp cook, meals, etc.; travelers should bring sleeping bags
10 breakfasts (B), 5 lunches (L), 5 dinners (D), excluding drinks
bottled mineral water is included with meals while sailing
private ground transportation, with driver
3 days in Dogon country, including a Dogon mask dance
2 days sailing the Niger River to Lake Debo, by private pinnace with outboard motor and crew
experienced English-speaking guide throughout, assisted by local guides
airport transfers upon arrival and departure in Bamako
all hotel taxes and local tourism taxes
all excursion and entry fees as per itinerary

Not included are international travel to/from Mali, entry visas, non-specified meals, drinks/bottled water, tips, optional day-room in Bamako, and personal expenses.

Please note: Saga Tours does not handle international air reservations and ticketing.