| Republic of Mali is a landlocked country in West | | | | though you cant go inside it has a great Monday |
| Africa. It shares its boundaries with Algeria, Burkina | | | | market. |
| Faso, Guinea, Cote dIvoire, Mauritania, Niger, and | | | | Segou a greener, faded colonial version of Djenne, |
| Senegal. Mali, formerly a confederation of two French | | | | including the terrific mud mosque and the Monday |
| colonies, Sudanese Republic and Senegal became free | | | | market. And the especially good news is its a lot |
| in 1960. When Senegal left the federation, the name | | | | closer to Bamako, a mere 200km. |
| of Sudanese Republic was changed to Mali. | | | | Timbuktu is not much there except the name and |
| Mali was under dictatorial rule till 1991. The first | | | | lots of sand, but interesting in a defunct sort of way. |
| elected President came to power in Mali in 1992. | | | | Camel trips to Tuareg Blue Men camps are popular |
| Mali is a poor country. 65 percent of its land area is | | | | around here. |
| desert about 70 percent of the population is | | | | Its possible to travel there by boat if the river is high |
| employed in farming and fishing. | | | | enough, though pick your transport with care. |
| Malian has a low life expectancy of 48 years high | | | | Bamako is Malis capital is a dusty, noisy, unattractive |
| infant mortality and low adult literacy 17 percent of | | | | mess, but has plenty of exotic sights, particularly local |
| the adult population are HIV positive. | | | | people and markets, and a terrific National Museum |
| The country has stunning desert landscapes, lovely | | | | loaded with tribal carvings. |
| mud buildings from mosques to granaries decorated | | | | Dont travel independently to the far north or east of |
| in a uniquely raw but exquisitely artistic style, | | | | Mali unless you fancy a close encounter with heavily |
| colourful, relaxed, pleasant people, extraordinary hikes | | | | armed bandits that captured tourists in 2004. |
| along the magnificent Bandiagara Escarpment and | | | | The Bandiagara Escarpment is one of the worlds |
| camel treks from the ghost town of Timbuktu. | | | | best hikes both beautiful and fascinating, but be very |
| If you can be there in December for the cattle | | | | careful when choosing a guide and expect facilities en |
| crossing festivities or April for the mask dancing | | | | route to be primitive. |
| festival, all the better. | | | | You really need a reliable guide for Dogon area |
| Cities to visit include some of the following. | | | | walking but 80 percent of self proclaimed guides will |
| Bandiagara Escarpment is one of Africas great | | | | simply be ignorant opportunists who may become |
| cultures, with fine, primitive woodcarving, superb mud | | | | aggressive when exposed, so take the time to |
| architecture in a bizarre setting, curious farming | | | | check out candidates thoroughly. Best of all would be |
| methods and some truly strange customs. | | | | to get recommendations from other travellers. |
| Mopti is a busy tourist town with a good port for | | | | A river trip down the Niger will be a memorable |
| river cruises, short or long, though long trips will be | | | | experience, but only possible at limited times of the |
| possible only August November. | | | | year. Camel riding out from Timbuktu with a Tuareg |
| This is a convenient stepping stone to Bandiagara, | | | | guide should satisfy your lust for sand.Wildlife birds in |
| Timbuktu and other northern towns. | | | | Dogon country beside the Niger River and frequent |
| Djenne is difficult to get to but the town has terrific | | | | hippos are worth a look. |
| mud architecture and a sensational mud mosque, | | | | |