The West-African country of Mali is one of the world’s poorest countries but in the years following the first democratically elected civilian government in 1992 it has become one of the continent’s most politically stable countries.
Malian Music
The beating heart of Mali is its music, which for many of its people is valued above anything else. Consequently the annual Saharan music festivals continue to grow in popularity and attract new devotees, which now include some of Europe’s best-known musicians.
A typical itinerary would include visits to:
- Bamako
- Timbuktu
- Djenne
Bamako
Most visitors to Mali will arrive in the capital city Bamako described in the Lonely Planet Guide as a, “Brash cacophony of music, motorbikes and people buying, selling and trading under the hot midday sun.”
Timbuktu
People might be forgiven for thinking that the fabled city of Timbuktu only existed in their imagination. In reality it was a city, that grew rich as part of the trade that sent great camel caravans laden with gold north to Europe before returning loaded with an even more precious commodity, salt.
Today Timbuktu, perched on the edge of the Sahara Desert, is a bleak and impoverished town. Yet thousands of visitors still make their way there, many on a three-day journey down the River Niger from Mopti by boat. There are also fights to Timbuktu from Bamako or Mopti.
Djenne
Djenne, once recognised as a centre of Islamic learning, is the oldest known city in sub-Saharan Africa and is located on the floodplains of the Niger and Bani Rivers. It is around 210 miles southwest of Timbuktu.
Visitors who arrive at this incredible place have come to gaze at the magnificent Grand Mosque of Djenne, the largest mud brick building in the world. The mosque is closed to non-Moslems.
As part of a yearly festival of music and food the town’s people also come together to repair the damage to the mosque caused by the annual rains and changes in temperature.
Visitors to Mali
It is highly recommended that unless visitors are experienced solo travellers, they come to Mali as part of an organised tour run by a company that has significant experience of working in the country.
A visitor is advised to check the travel advice offered by their home government before travelling.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office says, “We advise against all travel north and west of Tinbuktu.” The American State Department has a similar warning.
Both web sites have further valuable information, which is essential reading before you plan a trip.
Best time to visit Mali is during November and December.
Sources:
Lonely Planet Guide to Mali
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
American State Department.
Please note the English spelling of Timbuktu and the French spelling of Tombouctou.
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