Bamako, MALI
West Africa
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typical cliff village

Toguna, seat of Dogon village government

Photos: SAGA TOURS Š2000-2001
All rights reserved

Dogon Country Trekking Expeditions

For adventure-seekers, Dogon country trekking expeditions may be just the thing—first-hand and active, guided and safe exploration of a fascinating culture and a unique habitat.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Every tour is private, scheduled on dates of your choice, with a Saturday arrival in Bamako; 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.

Intro and description

Itinerary

What's included

Our expeditions are planned and organized to bring you into contact with the Dogon people; during the seven-day trek, all meals are taken and nights are spent camping in various villages. Food is ordered and prepared at small village facilities (local income-generation projects); bathing is done via bucket baths, as there are no showers in the villages.

There is no escort vehicle, so trekkers need to be fit and ready to take on the challenge of the Bandiagara Escarpment. There is no technically-difficult climbing involved, but it is strenuous—the escarpment is like a broken staircase: every step is up (or down) from the previous one, and the steps are uneven, as though broken. For this reason, children 12 years old and up are accepted only when accompanied by a responsible adult family member.

Our treks can comprise a maximum of 8 trekkers; we prefer to keep group size small so as to not have an adverse impact on the environment and on village life. A trek also includes our Dogon trek guide and local porters.

Note to Vegetarians: please be aware that local meals include meat or chicken. In this environment and under expedition conditions, we cannot assure balanced nutrition for persons who adhere strictly to a vegetarian regimen; please bring your own protein sources to supplement your local fare.

Packing: for a basic packing list, please refer to our Travel tips page. Aside from these usual items, trekkers should be sure to bring an adequate supply of sun block lotion, mosquito repellent, a hat, a rugged water bottle, and water purification tablets; a mosquito net is also recommended. Clothing should consist of cotton items; include at least one long-sleeved shirt for mosquito protection in the evenings; likewise long trousers and socks.

Also please note that anti-malarials should be taken for the length of your stay in Mali; please consult your family physician or travel health clinic; effective anti-malarials are not available in Mali (hard to believe, perhaps, but true).

Mali's entry requirements include a visa and proof of yellow fever vaccination; see our Travel Tips page for more information.

15-day Trekking Tour: Bamako, Djenne, Dogon country, Mopti, Bamako

Day 1 Saturday: Arrive in Bamako, Mali
International flight arrives in Bamako; you will be met at the airport and transfered to a hotel; overnight in Bamako (hotel)
Day 2 Sunday: Bamako - Sevare
(B) Depart by bus for Sevare; lunch en route; overnight camping in Sevare
Day 3 Monday: Sevare - Djenne - Sevare
(B) Day trip to Djenne (by bush taxi) on its weekly market day, when Djenne is at its colorful best; see the fabulous Great Mosque, the world's largest mud brick structure and one of Unesco's World Heritage sites; visit local mud cloth artisans; return to Sevare; overnight camping in Sevare
Day 4 Tuesday: Sevare - Dogon country
(B) Bush taxi to the Dogon village Kani Kombole; overnight camping in Kani Kombole

Trek begins:
Day 5 : (B,L,D) Tely, Ende, Yabatalu (~14 km trekking)
Day 6 : (B,L,D) Dioundourou, Konsogoule, Guimini (~15 km)
Day 7 : (B,L,D) Yawa, Nombori (~17 km)
Day 8 : (B,L,D) Idyeli, Komo Kani, Tireli; witness a traditional Dogon mask dance (~15 km)
Day 9 : (B,L,D) Amani, Ireli, Banani (~16 km)
Day 10 : (B,L,D) Neni, Ibi, Koundou (~11 km)
Day 11 : (B,L,D) Yuga, Yenduma, Arou, Sangha (~19 km); end of trek

Map of Bandiagara Escarpment

Day 12 Wednesday: Sangha - Songo - Mopti
(B) Bush taxi to Mopti; en route, visit one last Dogon village: Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto; continue to Mopti; overnight camping in Mopti
Day 13 Thursday: Mopti / Niger River
(B) Full day to explore Mopti: see the beautiful mosque, the fishing port, the bustling market, where many of Mali's ethnic groups can be observed: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhay; enjoy a sunset sail on the Niger River; overnight camping in Mopti
Day 14 Friday: Mopti - Bamako
(B) Return by bus to Bamako; lunch en route; overnight in Bamako (hotel)
Day 15 Saturday: Bamako - final departure
(B) Full day to visit Bamako: the National Museum, the city market, and the artisans village, for some final souvenir shopping; airport transfer for your onward flight home — farewell, Mali !

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.

This tour includes:

12 nights camping—bring your tent and sleeping bag

2 nights hotel in Bamako, double occupancy

14 breakfasts (B), 7 lunches (L), 7 dinners(D); i.e. three meals per day on the trekking days

all ground transportation (public bus and bush taxis)

Saga Tours guide/expedition leader, assisted by local guides in the villages

porters on the trek days

traditional Dogon mask dance, performed in a village

sunset sail on the Niger River in a traditional river boat

airport transfers upon arrival and departure in Bamako

all village visit fees and local tourism taxes, as per itinerary

The tour does not include international travel to/from Mali, entry visas, insurance, tents and sleeping bags, non-specified meals, drinks/bottled water, tips, or personal expenses.

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