Mali holiday, tribal traditions
Mali is a firm favourite on the traveller’s circuit of West Africa and with good reason. With a complex history, colourful traditions and a wide variety of ethnic groups, Mali is one of the most attractive destinations in the region and has enough to keep visitors occupied for weeks.
On our tour we explore some its key highlights, including the legendary city of Timbuktu and the incredible mosque at Djenne, an awe-inspiring sight and said to be the largest mud building in the world. We also take a cruise on the River Niger through the most interesting part of the Niger, neglected by most other companies but offering superb opportunities to see daily life in the Fulani, Songhai and Bozo villages that we pass. And of course we spend time in the captivating land of the Dogon learning about their traditions.
But our tour doesn’t just focus on the well visited highlights – we believe that Mali has much to offer beyond these. We also visit the neglected region south of Bamako to explore the rich tribal heritage that exists here, visiting Senoufou, Fulani, Bambara and Bobo villages which rarely see other travellers, embarking on a thorough journey through West African culture. This is a tour to Mali like no other, witnessing an amazing diversity of local rituals and customs that others simply don’t get to see. Here we learn about the complex beliefs of the people and see incredible traditional ceremonies, as well as attending a concert of authentic West African music. Spending many nights in bush camps, this is a great way to experience rural Mali.
This trip travels away from the tourist crowds, and offers travellers the chance to go one step further in the exploration of this magnificent country.
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1: | Bamako. Arrive in Bamako and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore this vibrant city. Overnight Hotel Tamana or similar. |
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Day 2: | Kangaba region. Head south from Bamako to the region of Kangaba, home to the Malinke and Bambara people. We visit the Kamandjan stone arch, and also travel to the gold mines of the region, where it is still possible to see people searching for gold in the traditional ways. We end up in an area famous for its griots – traditional West African storytellers – and experience a concert given for us by local musicians. Overnight bush camp. (BLD) |
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Day 3: | Selingue. We drive to Selingue where we take a boat cruise on the large man made lake, fringed by shepherds bringing their livestock down to drink. We also visit Bambara and Malinke villages. Overnight Campement Yalla or similar. (BLD) |
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Day 4: | Senoufou and Fulani villages. Continue our exploration of the region as we visit Senoufou and Fulani villages. The Senoufou are spread throughout Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast and are renowned as a mystical people with strong traditions, while the Fulani are a pastoral group whose women often tattoo their faces. We finish the day in Sikasso. Overnight Hotel Wassolou or similar. (BL) |
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Day 5: | Missirikoro Caves - San. Travel to the caves near the village of Missirikoro, used as both a mosque and a place for animist worship. The caves are dotted with the remains of worship – animal skulls being the most notable. We visit the caves and then head to a Bobo village to watch their traditional dances. Overnight Hotel Teriyah or similar. (BL) |
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Day 6: | Nan – Saye region. We cross an area rarely visited by western travellers, stopping to explore traditional Bambara villages en route. This evening we experience a traditional Bambara mask dance. Overnight bush camp. (BLD) |
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Day 7: | Djenne. Head to Djenne – the ‘Pearl of the Delta’. We spend time exploring the town including its marvellous mud mosque and its excellent examples of traditional architecture. Overnight Hotel Maafir or similar. (B) |
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Day 8: | Dogon Country. We travel to the country of the Dogon, one of West Africa’s most enigmatic groups and certainly one of the most fascinating. We visit a sacred cave used for initiation rituals, as well as a stunning fortified village tucked away in the rocky countryside. Overnight bush camp. (BLD) |
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Day 9-11: | Dogon country exploration. We spend three days exploring this enchanting land with its picturesque villages and strong customs. We hike to some of the most spectacular but least visited villages, and spend our nights camping in the Dogon countryside. We also have the opportunity to attend a traditional mask dance, and visit an Ogon – a fetish priest whose home is an important shrine for the hunters’ cult: from the wall stick out animal skulls, ritual objects and wooden statues that carry recent traces of sacrifice. Two nights camping, one night simple hotel at Sangha. (Days 9 and 10 – BLD, Day 11 - BL) |
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Day 12: | Mopti. We leave the mysteries of Dogon country behind and head to the town of Mopti on the banks of the Niger River. We explore the town and some of its main sites including its port, a kaleidoscope of colours and people and a great example of the importance of the River Niger. Overnight Hotel Doux Reves or similar. (B) |
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Day 13-15: | Niger River Cruise. Three days of navigation on the Niger River on our pinasse, through the most interesting part of the internal delta of the Niger. In this region on the edge of savannah and desert the immense water basin is divided in hundreds of branches, lakes and ponds, like a vast spider’s web. We pass villages inhabited by Fulani, Bozo and Songhay, some of which are reachable only by pirogue. We have excellent opportunities to observe everyday village life, and see beautiful examples of adobe architecture, with mosques built according to the traditions of each individual ethnic group. In this part of the river we can also see the Saro, houses of the Bozo people used during their initiation rituals. We end our trip on the river at the fabled city of Timbuktu. Two nights camping, one night Hotel Colombe or similar. (Days 13 & 14 – BLD, Day 15 – BL) |
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Day 16: | Timbuktu. We spend time exploring this mythical city, for so long the focus of African exploration and once home to immense riches. We visit the14th century Djinguereber Mosque, the oldest mud building in Africa, and explore its colourful markets. Timbuktu’s old quarter has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is packed full of interesting monuments including the houses of early explorers. During our time in Timbuktu we aim to show you not just the main sites but a little of how the local people live, and so we take dinner in the family home of a local salt merchant for a real introduction to typical Timbuktu life. Overnight at Hotel Colombe or similar. (BD) |
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Day 17-18: | Gandamia Mountains. We head south from Timbuktu into the Douentza region, and the Gandamia Mountains. These mountains form a spectacular area of pinnacles, canyons and valleys and are almost totally unknown to tourists. On our way here we stop at camps belonging to Fulani, Tuareg and Bella families. In the mountains we visit small settlements in a lush valley totally surrounded by arid mountains - stone villages inhabited by the Songhai tribe, believed to be the descendants of the kings of Gao, who mysteriously disappeared in the 16th century during an invasion by Morocco. One night bush camp, one night at San in Hotel Teriyah or similar. (Day 17 – BLD, Day 18 - B) |
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Day 19: | Segou. Drive to Segou and explore the city, once the centre of a powerful Bambara kingdom and with an interesting old quarter. This evening we will experience the unique Hauka ceremony – unlike any others in the region, with spirits of old colonial masters being called upon. Overnight Hotel Independence or similar. (B) |
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Day 20: | Bamako. Return to Bamako and take a tour of Mali’s vibrant and bustling capital. We visit the excellent National Museum with its collection of masks, sculptures, weapons and other artefacts relating to the rich cultural heritage of the country. We also visit the traditional blacksmiths, still following practises handed down through the generations. Overnight Hotel Rabelais or similar. (B) |
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Day 21: | Bamako. Tour ends. (B) |
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as experiencing new cultures.
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
This tour travels through some remote and often pristine environments, and we spend many nights at bush camps. We make a point of ensuring that we do not leave any permanent traces of our stay behind, making sure that we take all litter with us. We also try to carry all water for personal use, washing and cooking with us where possible, so as not to place a burden on the more remote communities, some of which are in very arid areas.
It is possible to find products made from endangered species for sale in Mali. We strongly advise our travellers against purchasing such products as it hastens the species’ decline.
We work with our local suppliers to highlight best practice in terms of environmental issues, an important effort in a country where the environment is often taken for granted and green thinking is largely absent. This also includes working with hotels to advise them on how to reduce water usage – particularly significant in some of the arid areas that this tour visits, where water for local communities is often scarce.
Community
Many tours focus just on the well beaten tourist trail of Mali, and with some justification – some of Mali’s most spectacular sites are to be found in places like Djenne, Timbuktu and the Dogon country. We believe that there is much more to see in Mali, and this tour not only visits the main sites but spends a week exploring the little visited southern regions. We spend time exploring small villages which usually see little benefit from the many travellers that visit Mali, and help in a small way to redress the balance of tourist income within the country. When visiting villages and settlements we make use of local guides from that region, who are able to explain to us the cultures and customs of the people and ensure that we do not unwittingly offend our hosts, many of whom have very complex social beliefs. This also helps to provide employment and income for rural communities. We do not believe that we should simply visit these villages without making a financial contribution – it is only fair that they also benefit from the unique experiences that we offer to our travellers.
When visiting many of the places on this trip, we are privileged to experience mask and other traditional dances, many of which are rarely seen by outsiders. We offer a donation for the performance of such ceremonies, putting funds back into local economies but also contributing to the maintenance of precious cultural heritage and allowing younger generations to see the value in preserving it.
Our local guides will offer advice about appropriate dress codes – particularly relevant in Mali which is fairly conservative.
Our philosophy is to only use small and locally owned suppliers, meaning that the income remains within the country and creates a real economic contribution. We also feel that the passion inherent within such suppliers means that your experience will be enhanced. We also try to engage with our suppliers on an equal basis – getting the lowest possible price usually isn’t the best outcome for local communities and is ultimately unsustainable. We aim to always treat our suppliers fairly and with respect; they are after all part of the key to our success and to us working together is much more than just a business arrangement, but an ongoing relationship that we aim to ensure truly benefits everyone involved.
We believe that tourism is a double edged sword that needs to be wielded very carefully. Our philosophy is to have a limited amount of departures – usually between one and three a year - for each of our itineraries. By limiting our presence in areas where local culture can be quite fragile, we hope to avoid as much as possible the phenomenon whereby an area changes in character due to repeated and prolonged exposure to tourism. We want to visit an area as friends, not intruders and to ensure that what we see will also be there for others to enjoy for many years to come.
We only employ local staff and unlike many operators we believe that to send a foreign Tour Leader along to accompany your trip is an unnecessary burden on your wallet and our carbon footprint. We believe that locals know best. Our local operators only use locally owned accommodation. This means your money stays in the area to benefit the local community. When possible we use local transport, (i.e. rail or bus) and we always use local restaurants, markets and shops and encourage our clients to interact both financially and socially with the communities that they are passing through. In doing this your travels are supporting and encouraging the development of local services.
We only work with operators who are as committed as we are to putting something back into the communities we visit. This may include giving a percentage of the profits from each tour to a foundation to help street children or local conservation projects. Furthermore, in order to allow our clients to make an informed decision on where a greater proportion of their money should be spent, we avoid including pre-paid full board meals where possible. Local restaurants and cafes then benefit.
Our groups average only six clients, and many tours operate on a private basis with just two travellers. This has much less impact when travelling through rural areas, reducing our environmental and social affects. Finally to emphasise our commitment to Responsible Tourism all clients will receive a copy of our Travellers Code of Conduct with their travel documents.
