Mali's Festival in the Desert
Festival in the Desert Itinerary (.pdf)
A 14 day itinerary to Mali, including the towns of Segou, Djenne and Mopti, the traditional ways of the Dogon people and Timbuktu.
The highlight of the trip is three nights at the Festival in the Desert in Essakane.
Day 1
London Heathrow
Depart London Heathrow at 1720. Arrive Casablanca at 2025. Depart at Casablanca 2300.
Day 2
Bamako
On arrival in Bamako at 0235 you will be met by your guides and assisted through customs and then driven to your hotel for the remainder of the night.
In the morning visit a project set up with the assistance of the British Museum and WOMAD, to get children off the streets and to teach them how to make mud cloth designs.
In the afternoon, after lunch, visit the National Museum. We highly recommend this as way to access all sorts of information about the different ethnic groups and traditional belief systems across Mali.
Day 3
Djenne
Depart for Djenne 0730 (7 hours) arriving in time for a late lunch.
The Grande Mosque is the largest mud structure in the world built in 1905 on a site that dates back to 1280. Each year during the rainy season the Mosque is re-covered.
Day 4
Dogon Country
You have the morning to explore the Djenne Monday morning market which is quite a spectacular sight. Depart Djenne at 1100 for the Dogon Country (5 hours).
Day 5
Dogon Country
An early start. The day will be spent exploring the sandstone escarpment that dominates the desert plains. The Dogon rituals, traditions and healing methods stretch back centuries and you have the chance to explore the fascinating villages with Dogon guides and to witness a Dogon masked dance.
Day 6
Timbuktu
Early departure at 0700 and a full day's drive (10-12 hours) to Timbuktu, including queuing for the car ferry across the Niger.
Day 7
Festival in the Desert, Essakane
In the morning explore Timbuktu. Early afternoon you will be driven out to Essakane to the Festival in the Desert (2-4 hours driving over the dunes).
Tuareg caravans from all corners of the Sahara desert including Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauritania will reunite near Timbuktu for this annual festival. As the stage is lit by the setting sun the evening performances begin. Past performers include Tinariwen, Oumou Sangare, Desert Blues, Bassekou Koyate, Tartit and the Wodaabe of Niger. During the day there is camel racing, ad hoc musical performances take place in tents around the festival site and there is the opportunity to buy local crafts.
Day 10
Mopti
Early departure 0700 from the festival site to Mopti (10-12 hours).
Day 11
Mopti
Mopti is a hubbub of river activity at the confluence of the Niger and Bani rivers. It also has a very impressive mosque (second only to Djenne) and lively markets. Explore the waterways by Pirogue.
Day 12
Segou
0800 depart to Segou (6 hours) arriving in time for lunch. Explore this interesting town on the Niger River. Once occupied by the French, Segou's colonial architecture sits side by side with the Bamana architecture. Pottery factories can be visited across the Niger River.
Day 13
Bakamo
After lunch return to Bamako (4 hours). Arrive late afternoon. You will have access to a couple of day rooms to wash and change before dinner. There is the option to go out to a music venue en route to the airport. Check-in is 0130.
Day 14
London
Depart at 0330 to Casablanca. Arrive Casablanca at 0655. Depart Casablanca at on AT800 1240. Arrive London Heathrow 1550.
We look forward to speaking to you.
