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

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Bozo fishing village

Sail the Niger River
a relaxed adventure experience

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.
Please be advised that sailing is the most expensive transportation for small parties.

Sail one of Africa's great rivers — the Niger River — all the way to the edge of the Sahara Desert and the legendary city of Timbuktu.

This is not a luxury cruise but rather an "armchair adventure" — you will discover the Niger delta landscape with its varied birdlife along the shore, hippos in the river and rural villages with beautiful mosques. Your guide will be on-hand to explain all the sights you will see, and you will be able to briefly visit various village ports-of-call.

Sailing from Mopti to Timbuktu (or the reverse) is the usual itinerary; this generally takes three days of sailing, with two nights' camping on the river bank. Sailing can also begin in Segou, and terminate in Gao; this longer version would take nine sailing days, with additional days to visit Mopti and Timbuktu along the way. NB: camping along the river bank is required, as there are no hotels, no campgrounds.

Another option is a sunset sail on the Niger River, if camping is not for you (see NB note, below).

Overnight sailing excursions include:

private ground transportation from Bamako to Mopti

private pinnace with woven straw roof, latrine, outboard motor and crew

camp cook and meals while sailing

camping tents with ground mattresses; bring your sleeping bags

English-speaking guide

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 receommended for inexperienced campers.

Beyond a sailing excursion, complete tour services include the above plus:

transfer to town upon arrival at Timbuktu's river port

hotel accommodations for remainder of tour

continuing services of your guide for remainder of tour

visits and touring as per your itinerary (to be determined)

private ground transportation for the return to Bamako

all hotel taxes and local tourism taxes

Optional: airport transfer upon arrival/departure in Mali

Several of our sample itineraries include an overnight sailing excursion; please see:

11-days Niger Journey to Timbuktu

11-days Mali Explorer

15-days Mali Adventure

Or for your own customized journey, fill out our Tour Request form; be sure to check "Sail to Timbuktu" or check "Other visits" and indicate what you have in mind.

Join us for an unforgettable experience — sailing the Niger river through the heart of West Africa !

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