Mali – The Holiday Destination of all the Ideal Ingrdients

Like a pearl in an ocean, Mali is the gem in the heart of Africa. Rich in history whose legends mentions its deserts and rivers, the nation is bestowed with some of its remarkable destinations such as the famous city of Timbuktu (Tombouctou), the magnificently incredible mosque at Djenne, and the lively river port of Mopti.

In my itinerary to Mali, I ensured to visit all the major tourists’ spots by opting a package tour that would luckily also provide a guide who would tell about the legends and significance.

Mali Africa Tourist  Attractions

Bamako

This is the capital town of Mali that has many offers such as good restaurants, hotels, best music, and colorful markets to hang on. Here, we visited the less-crowded Marche de Medina to buy some second-hand clothes and another market named Marche de N’Golonina. Then, we headed towards Musee de Bamako in the town centre displaying ethnographic items and postcards and Musee Muso Kunda paying a tribute to Mali’s women by exhibiting traditional clothing and daily use  household objects. Further, we explored the Botanical Gardens, the zoo, the craft center at the Maison des Artisans, and the Musee National displaying attractive ethnographic pieces such as wooden masks, carvings, and old textiles.

Djenne

Located off the main road between Bamako and Mopti on the Niger River Delta and entitled as the ‘Jewel of the Niger’, Djenne is famous for its beautiful mosque, the Grande Mosquee built in 1907. Here, we explored the Grand Marche, which is the Monday Market in the open area in front of the mosque occurring every Monday. Next, with the guide, we visited the House of the Traditional Chief, which is now an arbitrator for disputes and the Sacred Well of Nana Wangara.

Then, we reached the ruined settlement of Jenne-Jeno belonging to 300 B.C. located at 3 km from Djenne. The excavation items and jewelry indicated that this was among the first places in Africa to use iron. Located on the southern edge, is Tapama Dienepo that is the grave of a young girl who voluntarily sacrificed in the 9th century after a local religious leader said the town was fraudulent.

The Old Djenne is at 5 km from Djenne that dates back to 250 B.C. A market center, a vital halt in the trans-Saharan gold trade, an Islamic spiritual center, and home of 2000 traditional houses on hillocks – all this has made the town to appear in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mopti

Mostly throng by the tourist, this port city is at the junction of the Bani and the Niger River and on three islands connected by dykes. Here, we visited the market of Marche Souguni at the southeast where traders sell fruits, vegetables, salt, art, crafts, herbs, spices, and traditional medicines. Then, we headed to see the Misire Mosquee built in classic Sahel-style in 1933. Prior to the rains in May or June; the mud-covered area of the mosque is re-delivered. However, non-Muslims are not permitted to enter, but you can have a good view here. In this town, you can find many guides, pinasse owners, and touts.

Do not miss to visit the Dogon country whose journey starts from here.

Bandiagara

Located on the southeast of Mopti, this nation is occupied by the Dogons whose old beliefs are not affected by the prevailing Islam. Dogons are the prime and first people to thrive on the Niger river valley. Villages here lie on Cliffs that are designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. My tip for you here is to treat the villagers with respect.

Timbuktu

This familiar name in English dialect means remoteness. However, this real city is famous for its superb camel caravans coming each year from the Taoudenni salt mines to distribute their goods. Much of the ancient parts are in ruins today. We visited the following places here.

• Centre de Recherches Historiques Ahmed Baba exhibiting 23,000 Islamic religious, historical, and scientific texts around the globe
• Dyingerey Ber Mosque of 14th century that is one of ancient mosques in West Africa expressing the Sudanese style
• Ethnological Museum located near Sidi Yahiya Mosque exhibiting the well of Bouctou where the legendary city was discovered, clothing, musical instruments, jewelry, games, and photographs of the old rock carvings at Tin-Techoun (now robbed or damaged)
• Flamme de la Paix, the monument on the northwestern periphery where the city shakes hands with the desert and where 3000 weapons were put on fire when the Tuareg rebellion ended.
• Grand Marche that is the big building in the centre famous for buying salt slabs
• Heinrich Barth’s House that is a museum displaying the famous Barth’s drawings and his writings
• Sankoré Mosque, one of the three famous mosques and the youngest one where again Muslims are only allowed to enter
• Sidi Yahiya Mosque named after one of the 333 saints of the city and built in 1400 A.D where again non-Muslims are not allowed.

Mali, Best Time to Visit

November to January are the ideal months to visit, which is the period of cold season.

Avoid any trip in September and October due to high temperatures.

Accommodations

If you are Mopti, you can opt to stay some 12 km away at Sevare that has good and budget hotels and better transport mediums. In Timbuktu, try one of the following:

• Hotel Azalai (luxurious)
• Hotel Bouctou (medium)
• Hotel Camping Tombouctou (budget)
• Sahara Passion (medium)