Senegal, Mali & Timbuktu
Senegal, Mali - By Air
Departure Dates
- October 07, 2009
Trip Summary
Immerse yourself in the color and music of West Africa. Begin in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, where you'll explore neighborhoods, markets and Gorée Island, the departure point for many slaves to the New World. In Mali, travel an ancient caravan route to legendary Timbuktu. Marvel at the adobe architecture in Djenné. Walk along the Bandiagara escarpment, and observe village life on the Niger and Bani rivers. Also experience mask dances in Dogon country and a Bambara dance performance in Mopti.
Highlights
- Learn about the rich musical history of Mali first-hand with Dogon mask dances, and a Bambara dance performance.
- Take a boat-ride on the Niger to get a close-up view of village life.
- See the Great Mosque of Djenné, the largest mud brick or adobe building in the world.
- Have lunch at a Tuareg camp amid the dunes of the Sahara desert.
Itinerary: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Day 1
Dakar, Senegal
On arrival in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal located on the Cape Verde peninsula, you will you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Gather tonight for a festive welcome dinner.
Lodging:Sofitel Teranga (D, Lunch on own)
Day 2
Dakar, Senegal
After breakfast at your hotel you will be transferred to the Dakar port where you will depart by modern boat to Gorée Island (cruising time of fifteen minutes). Gorée Island is located in the middle of the natural harbor formed by the south coast of the Cap-Vert Peninsula. You will have a very particular feeling while strolling through the island's quiet and narrow streets. For three centuries, Africans were reduced to slavery and embarked from Gorée Island to America and the West Indies. The famous Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves), one of the most-visited museums in Senegal, is a testimonial of the slave trade. Return to the mainland for a city tour of Dakar in the afternoon, including the Marché Kermel and Presidential Palace. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight.
Lodging:Sofitel Teranga (B, L, D)
Day 3
Bamako, Mali
Spend the morning visiting the colorful Soumbedioum Market. After lunch in a local restaurant, transfer to the airport for your commercial flight to Bamako. On arrival into Bamako transfer to the Salam Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Lodging:Salam Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 4
Timbuktu and sand dunes of the Sahara, Mali
After breakfast board your private airliner for a flight to the legendary town of Timbuktu. Modern transportation takes away none of the mystery or isolation of this ancient stop on the caravan route. On arrival see the distinctive architecture of Sankoré, where thousands of students once lived, and Djinguereiber. Both mosques date from the 15th century. Visit the small ethnological museum and walk past houses once enlivened by legendary explorers René Caillé, Gordon Laing and Henry Barth. Continue by four-wheel-drive vehicles into the Sahara sand dunes to a Taureg encampment for lunch. Return to the Timbuktu airport for a private charter flight to Mopti, at the confluence of the Bani and Niger rivers.
Lodging:Kanaga Hotel (B ,L ,D)
Day 5
Mopti and the Niger River, Mali
Spend the full day exploring the canal-laced Mopti. This spectacular river port, set against the backdrop of majestic red mud-brick Sudanese buildings evokes the memory of the glorious Mandingo Empires, famous for their thriving trade between Timbuktu and Djenné. Pay a visit to the Old Taikiri neighborhood, the Sougouni market. Return to the Kanaga Hotel for dinner and an overnight
Lodging:Kanaga Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 6
Djenné, Mali
After breakfast board several light coaches for Djenné, the oldest city in West Africa. Many aspects of its adobe architecture remain unchanged, and a walk down narrow lanes reveals traditional markets and crafts such as weaving and cloth-making. The centerpiece of the town is its mosque, the largest mud building in the world and an excellent example of Sudanese architecture. Return to Mopti for dinner.
Lodging:Kanaga Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 7
Dogon Country, Mali
Set off in four-wheel-drive vehicles for a full day at the Bandiagara escarpment, home of the distinctive Dogon people. The Dogons fled to this remote region in 1300 A.D. in an attempt to avoid conversion to Islam. Their mud villages and cliff-side dwellings are reminiscent of cliff dwellings of the American southwest, but their culture and cosmology are entirely original. Aspects of this unique culture are revealed in the masked dances, which they perform for us with great gusto to the chanting of a griot and village drummers. Return to Mopti for dinner.
Lodging:Kanaga Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 8
Niger and Bani Rivers, Mali
Board pirogues for a view of Malian life on the Niger and Bani rivers. Boats travel the river, while on shore rows of clay pots, slabs of salt and baskets of salted fish await transport.
Lodging:Kanaga Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 9
Ségou, Mali
After breakfast this morning depart by road for Ségou. You will wind through wild landscape dotted with giant baobab trees and thorny bushes. En route to Ségou you will make a brief stop to admire the San Mosque and some Bambara and Bobo villages along the way. Enjoy local music by Marionete Sogo and a traditional Bambara dance performance.
Lodging:Hotel Independence (B, L, D)
Day 10
Bamako and the Niger River, Mali
Depart by road this morning for Bamako. En route visit Ségoukoro, a village located on the banks of the Niger River. This small village has preserved much of its charm over the centuries. For many years Ségoukoro was the chosen residence of the Bambara Emperors. Continue to Bamako where you will have dinner and an overnight. The Salam Hotel is ideally situated on the main route to the central district on the left bank of the Niger River, adjacent to the Congress Center and next to the newly built King Fahd Bridge. Tonight we enjoy a farewell celebration at the Salam Hotel.
Lodging:Salam Hotel, (B, L, D)
Day 11
Bamako, Mali and International Flights Home
After breakfast this morning depart on a city tour of Bamako. Visit art galleries, the Musée National, and enjoy a live music performance. Return to the Salam Hotel to freshen up before transferring to the airport for return flights home.
Lodging:Salam Hotel, day-use room (B, L, D)
Dates, budget, and number of travelers at your discretion. Call us at 1-800-995-8689 to craft a private journey for you
Preparing for Your Adventure
At Bushtracks, we believe that being prepared for your adventure makes a world of difference in your ability to savor your travels.
Our experienced team knows just what kind of information you'll find most valuable in your final preparations for the exciting adventure ahead. We'll include much of this in your Expedition Planner and Preparation Package, sent to you before departure. Our knowledgeable staff is on hand to answer any additional questions. So you can know before you go, you'll receive:
Detailed itinerary and typical day on safari. Learn what a "typical day" might look like, even though we all know each day holds a new adventure.
Etiquette and customs highlights. As a guest in any country it is best to be aware of local customs and expected behavior. You'll be privy to critical insights into tactful behavior and overall cultural sensitivities.
Health and insurance information. Bushtracks Expeditions automatically covers you with International Medical Evacuation Insurance and Accident/Sickness Medical Coverage. We'll also send you information on supplemental insurance and a listing of immunization requirements.
Travel tips. Keeping you safe and healthy is our number one priority. We'll help you determine food and water safety, how to avoid sun over-exposure, clothing and packing lists, tips for avoiding motion sickness, local currency exchange suggestions and much more.
Reading lists. To help you prepare for this expedition, we'll send you specially selected field guides and a comprehensive reading list.
Documents. Passport requirements and visa kits with full instructions.
Voucher wallet. Just before departure, you will receive an attractive voucher wallet holding all relevant air tickets and travel vouchers to submit to ground operators for prepaid flights, tours and accommodations.
Contact information. An extensive list of contact information so those at home can be informed on how to reach you.