(code 22) 19 days - Mali -> Niger Overland Journey at the fringe of the Sahara - Northern Sahel

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This journey replaces our former journey 21. We made our journey at the firings of the Sahara more interesting. We drive 800 kilometres less on tarred road, but 500 kilometres more on tracks. A journey especially for lovers of the Sahel region, of ancient cultures, to places loaded with history, like Timbuktu, Mopti or Djenne and through the land of the mysterious Dogon.. Again and again, we will encounter the mighty river Niger, which originates in Guinea, shapes the Sahel, and flows in a big arch through Nigeria into the Atlantic.

Itinerary and Highlights

Day 1

Arrival in Bamako, the capital of Mali and largest metropolis in the Sahel. We camp in a hotel complex with swimming pool, situated in a wonderful location on the banks of the Niger (flights from Europe normally arrive in the evening and at night).

Day 2

Sightseeing tour. A local guide shows us the most interesting places and sights including the biggest craft market in West Africa.

In the afternoon we make a boat trip on a small fisher boat on the Niger river.

Dinner on the terrace of our Hotel restaurant, 20 meters away from the Niger River.

Camp in the garden of the same hotel

Day 3

We leave Bamako and follow our way to Segou through a typical and beautiful Sahel countryside.

Camping in the garden of a nice hotel with a nice swimming pool

Dinner at the restaurant of the hotel

Day 4

Ségou. Former place of residence of the Bambara Kings. Segou has preserved its colonial flair over the years.

Trip with a pirogue to the potters’ village of Karabougou

Camp in the same hotel garden like last night

Day 5

With Segou we leave the tarred road. On a small track we reach Say. Today is big market day. This market is – in my eyes – as coluourful and pretty as the market in Djenne, Not often do tourists pas by, so you can visit the market without being plagued by "tourist hunters". An authentic market of the special kind.

Bushcamp near Djenne.

Day 6

Djenne, our next destination, built in the Sudanese tradition clay architectural style. Djenne is a UNESCO World Culture Heritage Site. This is the day where the famous Monday market takes place. People from a wide variety of ethnic origins from all corners of the Niger Inland Delta come here together. On the forecourt of the famous mosque thousands of traders and customers are going about. An enormous hustle and bustle Be part of it!

We leave Djenne in the afternoon to Sevare.

Camp in the garden of a nice and quiet hotel.

Dinner at the restaurant of the hotel

Day 7

In the morning we visit Mopti, the Venice at the bank of the Niger River. Time-honoured trading metropolis on the Niger and the most important river port in Mali.

Visit of the famous mosque, the market place and the harbour. Short boat trip round the harbour.

Travel on the "route de poisson" - the fish road – into the Dogon country.

Bush camp

Day 8-9

The land of the Dogon. This area is by far the greatest attraction of Mali. We visit not only villages on the high plateau, but we also drive down the several 100 metres high rift. With our truck and on walks our Dogon guide shows us the most beautiful places. And he brings us closer to his fascinating home, its people and culture for the next two days.

Bush camp.

Day 10

Travel to Douentza, an important market and starting point of the track to Timbuktu

Bush camp

Day 11-14

On bad tracks we reach Timbuktu, the legendary old city and UNESCO world heritage site. Formerly the most important meeting point and trading centre in the Sahara.

Sightseeing tour with a local guide.

Visit of the famous library with the oldest copy of the Koran. Visit of the Barth house (German Africa explorer, 19th century)

We camp on the roof of a pleasant hotel at the edge of Timbuktu. Just two minutes from the "flame of peace"

Dinner (2 x) in a small restaurant near to our hotel.

Back to Douentza

Day 15

This day is our spare day. On journeys in Africa, it is always possible that delays will occur. This can be due to the weather, poor roads, delays at border crossings, technical breakdowns etc. We have included this spare day so that we will be able to carry out our full travel programme without pressure of time.

Day 16-17

From Douentza to Boni we travel through the Table Mountain region of Hombori, one of the most beautiful regions of Mali. Hundreds of herds of cattle and flocks of sheep are crossing our way to the waterholes. Friendly and colourful clothed people in numerous villages show us a beautiful picture of the Sahel. Very different from the pictures in the press and on TV, with a starving population and poverty everywhere.

Near Boni we leave the tarred road and move on small tracks to Burkina Faso. The villages are small and simple, the population friendly and curious. Sahel pure.

After Baraboule – we are already in Burkina Faso – the track gets larger. • Djibo. First small town in Burkina. Here we get again fresh fruits, meat and vegetables.

We celebrate Christmas in the middle of the Sahel, with wine, good food and a camp fire

Bush camp

Day 18

We arrive in Ouagadougou in our hotel. Camp in the garden. Here you can rent a room (A/C, 40€).Nice pool, good restaurant. 10 minutes to the airport.

Day 19

Excursion into town

Evening/night return flight to Europe

Travel information

After booking the holiday you will receive from us detailed travel information on preparation, equipment, visa, health care and the meeting point.

We will be at the starting point two days before the beginning of the holiday. You can therefore choose your own individual date of arrival. Please inform us of your time and date of arrival at an early stage and we can pick up you from the airport.

Our price includes

* All camp fees

* Sight seeing tour in Bamako

* Boat trip and entrance fee to Kalabougou / Segou

* Guided tour in Djenne

* Guided tour in Mopti

* Boat trip around the harbour in Mopti

* Guided tour in the Dogon country

* Guided Tour in Timbuktu, visit of the library and the Barh house

* Christmas dinner with wine around a camp fire in the middle of the Sahel.

* Dinner in restaurants in Bamako, Segou / Sevare / 2x Timbuktu (excl. drinks)

* 15 x 3 meals a day

* 4 x 2 meals a day

Not included

* Flights

* Taxi fares

* Photography charges

* Drinks (soft drinks / alcoholic drinks)

* Visa fees

* Tipps