Expedition to the heart of ancient African empires
MALI
June 1 – 12, 2023
Tour Mali
expedition to Mali tour to Dogon Timbuktu Djenne mosque Mopti trip to Mali West Africa
tour to Congo, tours to Africa, trekking gorillas
The mysterious Timbuktu and the famous clay mosque in Djenne, the majestic Niger River and the African Venice of Mopti that has preserved its culture through the centuries, the sands of the mighty Sahara Desert, animistic rituals and ceremonies.
On this expedition we will meet representatives of the Mandinka, Bobo, Bozo, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhai tribes and witness the famous Dogon dances.
On this expedition we will meet representatives of the Mandinka, Bobo, Bozo, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhai tribes and witness the famous Dogon dances.
The mysterious Timbuktu and the famous clay mosque in Djenne, the majestic Niger River and the Dogon Country that has preserved its culture through the centuries, the sands of the mighty Sahara Desert, animistic rituals and ceremonies.
On this expedition we will meet representatives of the Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhai tribes and witness the famous Dogon dances.
On this expedition we will meet representatives of the Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhai tribes and witness the famous Dogon dances.
SCHEDULE AND COST:
Dates: June 1 – 12, 2023. Mzungu leads
Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
Number of participants: 7 – 12
Cost per person:
– EUR 2 990 subject to 11 – 12 participants
– EUR 3 190 subject to 10 participants
– EUR 3 390 subject to 8 – 9 participants
– EUR 3 590 subject to 7 participants.
10% early booking discount (in case you book before February 1, 2023)
* In case of necessity to also buy the OUTBOUND air ticket for visiting Timbuktu (flight instead of the boat), the extra cost of 150 EUR per person is to be paid.
** If the expedition is finally carried out without visiting Timbuktu, the cost will be reduced by 300 EUR per person.
Everything is included except for:
- international flight to Bamako roundtrip
- international medical insurance,
- lunches and dinners,
- Mali visa (to be obtained at the consulate in Moscow or another city for 50 EUR. The cost may change).
Estimated cost of the flight Moscow - Bamako - Moscow: 1200 - 1500 EUR (usually purchased on your own. We advise on purchasing tickets)
Estimated cost of the flight Paris - Bamako - Paris: 500 - 900 EUR (usually purchased on your own. We advise on purchasing tickets)
Single supplement: EUR 350
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to mali T
TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO MALI
Day 1. June 1, 2023. Bamako
International flight arrives in Bamako at 1:55 pm, pick-up from the airport transfer to the hotel for rest.
* Recommended flights from Moscow:
- by Air Algerie, via Algeria, departure at 16:40 on May 31, arrival in Bamako on June 1 at 20:10,
- or with Royal Air Maroc, via Casablanca, departure at 7:35 am on May 31, arrival in Bamako on June 1 at 1:05 am (an extra night in a hotel is required),
- or by Turkish Airlines, via Istanbul, departure at 19:35 on May 31, arrival in Bamako on June 2 at 00:05 in the morning,
- or by Ethiopian Airlines, via Addis Ababa, departure at 22:00 on May 30, arrival in Bamako on May 31 at 14:40 (an extra night in a hotel is required),
- or from Paris with Air France, departure on June 1 at 10:30 am, arrival in Bamako on June 1 at 14:05
- or any other flight at any time on June 1 or on the night of June 1 to 2.
Accommodation: Hotel Columbus
Meals included: no
Day 2. June 2, 2023. Bamako – Ségou (235 Km)
Morning road to Segou. Get the ancient village of Sekoro on the way and get a look at the tomb of Biton Coulibaly's mother where we will have the chance to meet the king.
Arrival in Segue visiting the bagolan factory and french colonial heritage buildings designed in Sudanese style.
Sunset walk across on the Niger quay where you can catch beautiful pictures. The final act – is a musical evening in the hotel in appropriate atmosphere after an emotional day.
Accommodation: Hotel Esplanade
Meals included: breakfast
Day 3. June 3, 2023. Ségou – Djenne (320 Km)
After breakfast an engaging trip to Djenne. Stop off at San village to a look around.
Arrival in the adobe historical city - Djenne. In San we will visit the Sudanese style mosque near the market. Arrival in the adobe historical city.
Djenne was one of the first commercial centers of the Sahel region: it was the meeting place of the nomads from the Sahara, the local farmers and cattle herders, and the fishermen from the inland delta of the Niger.
Check-in to the hotel.
Accommodation: Wilingara Hotel
Meals included: breakfast
Day 4. June 4, 2023. Djenne
After breakfast, exploring the Market and strolling around the ancient alleys and narrow streets. We'll see the oldest house in Djenne, dating from the 12th century and one of Unesco's World Heritage sites - the magnificent Great Mosque. It is the world's largest mud brick architecture, originally constructed in the 13th century.
We will walk around the old city, meet the women's society – the «bogolan's masters». We will take pictures in their dyeing workshop. A real trip back in time. We will see the tomb of Tapana Djenepo, the Koranic schools, the well of Nana Wangara.
In the afternoon we visit some Peuhl (Fulani) villages around Djenne. You will have the chance to meet the Fulani nomadic women with beautiful adornments. Returning to Djenne in the evening.
Accommodation: Wilingara Hotel
Meals included: breakfast
Day 5. June 5, 2023. Djenne – Mopti (135 km)
Breakfast and departure to Mopti - the Venice of Mali.
It is also called «the melting pot» of Mali. This beautiful city attracts many visitors with its river port which remains an inevitable crossroads for trade.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Lunch in the restaurant nearby the river.
Visiting canoe workshops and see the process of making pirogues by the local's hands. Walking across the river port and the bustling fish market where many of Mali's ethnic groups come to trade: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg and Songhay.
Accommodation: Hotel Flandre or Simil
Meals included: breakfast
Day 6. June 6, 2023. Mopti – Boat along Niger River
Breakfast and transfer to the harbor area. Boat trip with picturesque views on the Niger river to Timbuktu. On the way we'll see the beautiful Lake Débo. It is a lake in the central part of Mali, formed by the seasonal flooding of the Niger River basin.
Accommodation: Boat
Meals included: breakfast
Day 7. June 7, 2023. Boat along Niger River – Timbuktu
10 am arrival at Timbuctu – one mythical desert cities in Africa.
Transfer to the hotel. City tour after lunch at the restaurant or with local family. Nowadays, like centuries ago - the city is surrounded by a heavy mist of mystery. Almost no tourists get there anymore since the Tuareg started demanding their own independent country.
Lunch at the restaurant or with local family with traditional dishes and colorful dance of «Takamba».
Accommodation: Auberge du désert
Meals included: breakfast
Day 8. June 8, 2023. Timbuktu
After breakfast exploring the city of «333 saints» with the great Djigareiber mosque and walking through Sankoré Madrasa – one of three ancient centers of learning located in Timbuktu.
Accommodation: Hotel Colombe
Meals included: breakfast
Day 9. June 9, 2023. Timbuktu – Bamako (1 hour flight)
After breakfast, we will organize a morning with traditional Tuareg music under the tents before the time of the flight back to Bamako. You will attend with our Tuareg friends. In these days many Tuareg or Tamacek (the way they call themselves) live in the city and we will meet them to know their reality.Then lunch with a traditional meal. Transfer to the airport and in the afternoon return to Bamako. Arrival in Bamako and visit the city center, zoo, the artisanal market, fetish market.
Accommodation: Hotel Columbus
Meals included: breakfast
Day 10. June 10, 2023. Bamako – Siby (50 km)
After breakfast, we will do the PCR-test and then drive to Siby. Reach Siby town, regional capital, to visit the viewpoint of Koulouba, the craft market. Explore natural wonders such as the Arch of Kamadjan and the Consultation Cave. Small hike to the arch, the panoramic point, and the sacred caves under the arch of Kamadjan. After the visit, we will continue to Nana-Kenieba village for the Dogogo, Dogon traditional mask dance. While we are visiting the village, our organizers are getting ready for the mask ceremony, we will attend these cultural ceremonies for at least 2 to 3 hours with beautiful photos taken in the Mandingo mountains. The community of Dogon people who live in Nana-Kenieba village are those who recently re-settled back to their historical territory, from where they moved to Bandiagara Plateau some 500 years ago being pursued by Islamization. The Dogon of this community still practice their Animist rituals and masquerades. We will attend a ceremony related to the worship of the ancestors and rain making.
Return to Siby in the evening.
Accommodation: Hotel Kamadjan
Meals included: breakfast
Day 11. June 11, 2023. Siby – Bamako (50 Km)
Breakfast and further explore Siby, Malinke (or Mandinka) Country. The Malinke are descendants of Mali Empire that extended from present day Senegal to Niger. We will attend the mask dance of Mandinka people.
Return to Bamako for lunch in restaurant bistro. In the afternoon we will reach the shores of Niger River to see how local Bozo tribe extracts sand for construction.
Accommodation: Hotel Colombus
Meals included: breakfast
Day 12. June 12, 2023. Bamako – Return flight
Breakfast. Free time in Bamako or transfer to the airport. Return flight.
Accommodation: no
Meals included: breakfast.
* Recommended flights from Bamako to Moscow:
- with Ethiopian Airlines, via Addis Ababa, departure at 11:00 am on June 12, arrival in Moscow on June 13 at 7:40 am,
- or with Turkish Airlines, via Istanbul, departure at 1:05 am on June 13, arrival in Moscow on June 13 at 18:10,
- or with Royal Air Maroc, via Casablanca, departure at 2:05 am on June 13, arrival in Moscow on June 14 at 6:25 am,
- or to Paris with Air France via Paris, departure from Bamako on June 12 at 22:25, arrival in Paris on June 13 at 5:55 am.
- or with any other flight with a departure not earlier than 11 am on June 12.
* If the flight from Timbuktu on day 9 is not possible, we'll come-back from Timbouktu to Mopti by boat on day 9 (June 9, 2023). On June 10, we drive up to Bamako. On day 11 (June 11) we then go to Siby. In the evening we will attend the mask dance of Mandinka people. On day 12 (June 12) early afternoon we come back to Bamako Airport.
** In case of necessity to also buy the OUTBOUND air ticket for visiting Timbuktu (flight instead of the boat), the extra cost of 150 EUR per person is to be paid.
*** If the expedition is finally carried out without visiting Timbuktu, the cost will be reduced by 300 EUR per person.
**** The operator reserves the right to change the order of execution of the program subject to keeping of all activities. It would mainly depend on the flights available and boat schedule, as well as actual conditions of the navigation on Niger river.
Dates: June 1 – 12, 2023. Mzungu leads
Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
Number of participants: 7 – 12
Cost per person:
– EUR 2 990 subject to 11 – 12 participants
– EUR 3 190 subject to 10 participants
– EUR 3 390 subject to 8 – 9 participants
– EUR 3 590 subject to 7 participants.
10% early booking discount (in case you book before February 1, 2023)
* In case of necessity to also buy the OUTBOUND air ticket for visiting Timbuktu (flight instead of the boat), the extra cost of 150 EUR per person is to be paid.
** If the expedition is finally carried out without visiting Timbuktu, the cost will be reduced by 300 EUR per person.
Everything is included except for:
- international flight to Bamako roundtrip
- international medical insurance,
- lunches and dinners,
- Mali visa (to be obtained at the consulate in Moscow or another city for 50 EUR. The cost may change).
Estimated cost of the flight Moscow - Bamako - Moscow: 1200 - 1500 EUR (usually purchased on your own. We advise on purchasing tickets)
Estimated cost of the flight Paris - Bamako - Paris: 500 - 900 EUR (usually purchased on your own. We advise on purchasing tickets)
Single supplement: EUR 350
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to mali T
TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO MALI
Day 1. June 1, 2023. Bamako
International flight arrives in Bamako at 1:55 pm, pick-up from the airport transfer to the hotel for rest.
* Recommended flights from Moscow:
- by Air Algerie, via Algeria, departure at 16:40 on May 31, arrival in Bamako on June 1 at 20:10,
- or with Royal Air Maroc, via Casablanca, departure at 7:35 am on May 31, arrival in Bamako on June 1 at 1:05 am (an extra night in a hotel is required),
- or by Turkish Airlines, via Istanbul, departure at 19:35 on May 31, arrival in Bamako on June 2 at 00:05 in the morning,
- or by Ethiopian Airlines, via Addis Ababa, departure at 22:00 on May 30, arrival in Bamako on May 31 at 14:40 (an extra night in a hotel is required),
- or from Paris with Air France, departure on June 1 at 10:30 am, arrival in Bamako on June 1 at 14:05
- or any other flight at any time on June 1 or on the night of June 1 to 2.
Accommodation: Hotel Columbus
Meals included: no
Day 2. June 2, 2023. Bamako – Ségou (235 Km)
Morning road to Segou. Get the ancient village of Sekoro on the way and get a look at the tomb of Biton Coulibaly's mother where we will have the chance to meet the king.
Arrival in Segue visiting the bagolan factory and french colonial heritage buildings designed in Sudanese style.
Sunset walk across on the Niger quay where you can catch beautiful pictures. The final act – is a musical evening in the hotel in appropriate atmosphere after an emotional day.
Accommodation: Hotel Esplanade
Meals included: breakfast
Day 3. June 3, 2023. Ségou – Djenne (320 Km)
After breakfast an engaging trip to Djenne. Stop off at San village to a look around.
Arrival in the adobe historical city - Djenne. In San we will visit the Sudanese style mosque near the market. Arrival in the adobe historical city.
Djenne was one of the first commercial centers of the Sahel region: it was the meeting place of the nomads from the Sahara, the local farmers and cattle herders, and the fishermen from the inland delta of the Niger.
Check-in to the hotel.
Accommodation: Wilingara Hotel
Meals included: breakfast
Day 4. June 4, 2023. Djenne
After breakfast, exploring the Market and strolling around the ancient alleys and narrow streets. We'll see the oldest house in Djenne, dating from the 12th century and one of Unesco's World Heritage sites - the magnificent Great Mosque. It is the world's largest mud brick architecture, originally constructed in the 13th century.
We will walk around the old city, meet the women's society – the «bogolan's masters». We will take pictures in their dyeing workshop. A real trip back in time. We will see the tomb of Tapana Djenepo, the Koranic schools, the well of Nana Wangara.
In the afternoon we visit some Peuhl (Fulani) villages around Djenne. You will have the chance to meet the Fulani nomadic women with beautiful adornments. Returning to Djenne in the evening.
Accommodation: Wilingara Hotel
Meals included: breakfast
Day 5. June 5, 2023. Djenne – Mopti (135 km)
Breakfast and departure to Mopti - the Venice of Mali.
It is also called «the melting pot» of Mali. This beautiful city attracts many visitors with its river port which remains an inevitable crossroads for trade.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Lunch in the restaurant nearby the river.
Visiting canoe workshops and see the process of making pirogues by the local's hands. Walking across the river port and the bustling fish market where many of Mali's ethnic groups come to trade: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg and Songhay.
Accommodation: Hotel Flandre or Simil
Meals included: breakfast
Day 6. June 6, 2023. Mopti – Boat along Niger River
Breakfast and transfer to the harbor area. Boat trip with picturesque views on the Niger river to Timbuktu. On the way we'll see the beautiful Lake Débo. It is a lake in the central part of Mali, formed by the seasonal flooding of the Niger River basin.
Accommodation: Boat
Meals included: breakfast
Day 7. June 7, 2023. Boat along Niger River – Timbuktu
10 am arrival at Timbuctu – one mythical desert cities in Africa.
Transfer to the hotel. City tour after lunch at the restaurant or with local family. Nowadays, like centuries ago - the city is surrounded by a heavy mist of mystery. Almost no tourists get there anymore since the Tuareg started demanding their own independent country.
Lunch at the restaurant or with local family with traditional dishes and colorful dance of «Takamba».
Accommodation: Auberge du désert
Meals included: breakfast
Day 8. June 8, 2023. Timbuktu
After breakfast exploring the city of «333 saints» with the great Djigareiber mosque and walking through Sankoré Madrasa – one of three ancient centers of learning located in Timbuktu.
Accommodation: Hotel Colombe
Meals included: breakfast
Day 9. June 9, 2023. Timbuktu – Bamako (1 hour flight)
After breakfast, we will organize a morning with traditional Tuareg music under the tents before the time of the flight back to Bamako. You will attend with our Tuareg friends. In these days many Tuareg or Tamacek (the way they call themselves) live in the city and we will meet them to know their reality.Then lunch with a traditional meal. Transfer to the airport and in the afternoon return to Bamako. Arrival in Bamako and visit the city center, zoo, the artisanal market, fetish market.
Accommodation: Hotel Columbus
Meals included: breakfast
Day 10. June 10, 2023. Bamako – Siby (50 km)
After breakfast, we will do the PCR-test and then drive to Siby. Reach Siby town, regional capital, to visit the viewpoint of Koulouba, the craft market. Explore natural wonders such as the Arch of Kamadjan and the Consultation Cave. Small hike to the arch, the panoramic point, and the sacred caves under the arch of Kamadjan. After the visit, we will continue to Nana-Kenieba village for the Dogogo, Dogon traditional mask dance. While we are visiting the village, our organizers are getting ready for the mask ceremony, we will attend these cultural ceremonies for at least 2 to 3 hours with beautiful photos taken in the Mandingo mountains. The community of Dogon people who live in Nana-Kenieba village are those who recently re-settled back to their historical territory, from where they moved to Bandiagara Plateau some 500 years ago being pursued by Islamization. The Dogon of this community still practice their Animist rituals and masquerades. We will attend a ceremony related to the worship of the ancestors and rain making.
Return to Siby in the evening.
Accommodation: Hotel Kamadjan
Meals included: breakfast
Day 11. June 11, 2023. Siby – Bamako (50 Km)
Breakfast and further explore Siby, Malinke (or Mandinka) Country. The Malinke are descendants of Mali Empire that extended from present day Senegal to Niger. We will attend the mask dance of Mandinka people.
Return to Bamako for lunch in restaurant bistro. In the afternoon we will reach the shores of Niger River to see how local Bozo tribe extracts sand for construction.
Accommodation: Hotel Colombus
Meals included: breakfast
Day 12. June 12, 2023. Bamako – Return flight
Breakfast. Free time in Bamako or transfer to the airport. Return flight.
Accommodation: no
Meals included: breakfast.
* Recommended flights from Bamako to Moscow:
- with Ethiopian Airlines, via Addis Ababa, departure at 11:00 am on June 12, arrival in Moscow on June 13 at 7:40 am,
- or with Turkish Airlines, via Istanbul, departure at 1:05 am on June 13, arrival in Moscow on June 13 at 18:10,
- or with Royal Air Maroc, via Casablanca, departure at 2:05 am on June 13, arrival in Moscow on June 14 at 6:25 am,
- or to Paris with Air France via Paris, departure from Bamako on June 12 at 22:25, arrival in Paris on June 13 at 5:55 am.
- or with any other flight with a departure not earlier than 11 am on June 12.
* If the flight from Timbuktu on day 9 is not possible, we'll come-back from Timbouktu to Mopti by boat on day 9 (June 9, 2023). On June 10, we drive up to Bamako. On day 11 (June 11) we then go to Siby. In the evening we will attend the mask dance of Mandinka people. On day 12 (June 12) early afternoon we come back to Bamako Airport.
** In case of necessity to also buy the OUTBOUND air ticket for visiting Timbuktu (flight instead of the boat), the extra cost of 150 EUR per person is to be paid.
*** If the expedition is finally carried out without visiting Timbuktu, the cost will be reduced by 300 EUR per person.
**** The operator reserves the right to change the order of execution of the program subject to keeping of all activities. It would mainly depend on the flights available and boat schedule, as well as actual conditions of the navigation on Niger river.
Cost includes:
• Transport according to the program, transfers from the airport and back
• Bus Toyota Coaster in case of 9 participants, Toyota Hiace in case of less than 9 participants, along the entire route
• River transport (Mopti, Segou)
• Regular flight Bamako-Timbuktu-Bamako
• Accommodation in air-conditioned hotels based on double occupancy
• Breakfasts
• Drinking water along the route (2 bottles of 1.5 liters per person per day)
• Experienced English speaking guide
• Russian and English speaking team leader
• All permits and police documents
• All dances and performances with masks according to the program
• Visits to museums, palaces, museums and excursions, all settlements of the peoples.
• Visa support
Cost excludes (to be additionally paid):
• International air ticket to Bamako roundtrip
• Medical insurance
• Pre-Visa (visa d'entrée) and visa fee on arrival at the airport (75 Euro)
• PCR test on departure
• Lunches and dinners
• Beverages
• Tips for guides and drivers
To take with:
• set of clothes fitting weather conditions, one warm set
• long sleeve wear set,
• repellents (is a must!),
• mosquito net for sleeping place (is a must!),
• comfortable closed shoes and open shoes,
• forehead torch,
• big backpack for luggage,
• small backpack for personal items and camera,
• sunblock set (cream, sunglasses, cap),
• sandblock set: desert glasses, buff/mask (up to you)
• personal hygiene items (toilet paper, towel, wet tissues, hygiene lipstick etc.),
• personal medical kit (analgesics, sanitizers, antibiotics, your personal medicine),
• yellow fever certificate,
• antimalarial pills (up to you)
• photo and video camera
• powerbank
• Transport according to the program, transfers from the airport and back
• Bus Toyota Coaster in case of 9 participants, Toyota Hiace in case of less than 9 participants, along the entire route
• River transport (Mopti, Segou)
• Regular flight Bamako-Timbuktu-Bamako
• Accommodation in air-conditioned hotels based on double occupancy
• Breakfasts
• Drinking water along the route (2 bottles of 1.5 liters per person per day)
• Experienced English speaking guide
• Russian and English speaking team leader
• All permits and police documents
• All dances and performances with masks according to the program
• Visits to museums, palaces, museums and excursions, all settlements of the peoples.
• Visa support
Cost excludes (to be additionally paid):
• International air ticket to Bamako roundtrip
• Medical insurance
• Pre-Visa (visa d'entrée) and visa fee on arrival at the airport (75 Euro)
• PCR test on departure
• Lunches and dinners
• Beverages
• Tips for guides and drivers
To take with:
• set of clothes fitting weather conditions, one warm set
• long sleeve wear set,
• repellents (is a must!),
• mosquito net for sleeping place (is a must!),
• comfortable closed shoes and open shoes,
• forehead torch,
• big backpack for luggage,
• small backpack for personal items and camera,
• sunblock set (cream, sunglasses, cap),
• sandblock set: desert glasses, buff/mask (up to you)
• personal hygiene items (toilet paper, towel, wet tissues, hygiene lipstick etc.),
• personal medical kit (analgesics, sanitizers, antibiotics, your personal medicine),
• yellow fever certificate,
• antimalarial pills (up to you)
• photo and video camera
• powerbank
Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
- 1UNIQUENESS
We find the most astonishing places on Earth and speed up to reach them. Our motto is to go ahead of road roller, touch the unique and unknown, before it disappears. - 2ADVENTURISM
Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again. - 3SAFETY
In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features. - 4EXPERIENCE
We have a unique experience of the most offbeat expeditions and ascents, deep knowledge of countries and peoples, and are ready to share it with you. All the expeditions and climbings are guided by Mzungu himself, guaranteeing exciting traveling and your comfort. - 5LOW PRICE
All our trips are reach in adventures, with high quality accommodation, transportation and meals included. We do not save on it. Thanks to solid contacts with reliable providers we offer really good prices and high quality.
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