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Festival in the Desert 2011

Tours to Mali's Festival au Desert, plus Timbuktu, Dogon country, Djenne, Mopti and the Niger River


The 2010 Festival in the Desert was fabulous !
Join us in January 2011 — Rendezvous: Festival au Désert !

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The Festival in the Desert (le Festival au D้sert) is a Tuareg culture festival featuring traditional Tuareg music and world music,
to be held on 6, 7, 8 January 2011 on the outskirts of Timbuktu, in the Sahara Desert.

The Festival in the Desert is a unique event modeled on traditional gatherings and celebrations of the nomadic Tuareg people, the "Blue Men of the Desert." It is an opportunity to meet the Tuareg people hosting and attending the festival; the day-time festivities include traditional Tuareg music, singing, dancing, poetry, ritual swordplay, camel races and artisans' exhibits. The on-stage world-music concerts are held at night, with the lights and sound system powered by electrical generators.

Desert Festival Logistics

The 2011 edition of the Festival in the Desert will be held on the outskirts of Timbuktu.

Tour transportation is by 4x4 vehicles.

Accommodations consist of Tuareg tents and ground mats. NB: there are no hotels.

Hot meals are prepared on-site. Bottled water and other beverages are also available.

There is no running water, but latrines and bucket-showers are available.

Desert temperatures in January are hot during the day (~35 C / 100 F), but it can be quite cold at night (~5 C / 40 F) —
travellers must bring sleeping bags !

This is not a luxury holiday, but a unique cultural travel experience that requires adapting to local conditions.



2011 Desert Festival group tours:



13-day Full basic tour
01–13 January 2011
9 nights hotel / 3 nights camping



10-day Express basic tour
02–11 January 2011
6 nights hotel / 3 nights camping



17-day Expanded Tour
03–19 January 2011
13 nights hotel / 3 nights camping


 15-day Sailing/camping Tour
01–15 January 2011
7 nights hotel / 7 nights camping

NB: minimum 7, maximum 15 travellers for the 15-day tour.



Mali's entry requirements:
  1. tourism visa
  2. Yellow Fever immunization
Malaria prophylaxis is recommended; consult your physician.

See our Travel Tips page for Mali Embassy contact information, to apply for your Mali visa.



Festival tour requirements:
  1. a sleeping bag
  2. soft luggage, such as a duffel bag; hard suitcases are not appropriate
  3. summer clothing for days; a warm outfit for the desert nights; see our Travel Tips page for a suggested packing list, or our Desert Packing list for a more condensed and desert-focused list.


Sorry, Saga Tours does not handle visas, international air reservations or air tickets.