Mali Rediscovered

Welcome to Bamako, the beating heart of Mali! You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure. Explore the colour markets, chat with friendly locals and be sure to make the most of the great restaurants and nightlife! Bamako is home to some of Africa’s best music stars.

Today you will drive to Segou, Mali’s second largest city and former colonial administrative centre. On the way, you will stop in Wolodo, a Bambara village where you may witness women making shay butter.

You will visit Sekoro, the “old Segou” and former capital of the Bambara kingdom. Here you will meet the chief of the village who is one of the kings direct descendants. During the 18th century, the beautiful village of Ségou Koro was the centre of Biton Mamary Coulibaly’s Bambara empire and the great man is buried here. Its crumbling Bambara buildings are interspersed with three ancient mosques (including one right on the riverbank) which are compact and pleasing. Observe the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly, the first king. As you reach Segou, you will stop at the historical monument at the entrance of the town. You will notice a vast difference from the hustle and bustel of Bamako. Here life is a slower pace and the charm of a village lifestyle is felt from the moment you arrive. This evening, enjoy a river cruise to take in the beautiful sunset over the Niger River.

Following breakfast at your hotel, start a city tour of Segou where you will explore bustling the harbour. Witness the hive of activity at the potteries on the bank of the river. Take in the impressive colonial buildings used now as governmental offices. Drive to N’Domo centre where mud cloth is made. Here you will learn and practice the techniques of mud painting. Depending on the security situation, we may ride to Kalabougou, a Bambara village where the potteries are made. Transfer back to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

After an early breakfast this morning, depart for the historical city of Djenné, Mali’s architectural jewel. Djenné, sits on an island in the Bani River and is home to the largest mud-built structure in the world. Djenné has a magical old worldly atmosphere where it seems that time has frozen tradition in place. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Here, you will visit the three styles of building: Sudanese, Moroccan and Toucouleur styles, visit the library where ancient manuscripts are kept. Drive back to Segou. On the way back, you will visit Terekoungo, an old Bobo village famous for its sacred well, fetish house and millet beer making procedure.

Today you will drive to visit Sikasso, capital of the Kenedougou Kingdom via Koutiala where you will enjoy a short walk through the market. This afternoon, enjoy a city tour of Sikasso where you will explore the Senoufo Centre, a large museum which will educate you on the Senoufo culture and history as well as discovering the vegetable market. Visit Mamelon Hill, the former location of the King’s Palace and the original house of Keletigui Berthe.

Today in Sikasso, Mali’s breadbasket, you will see the remnants of the Tata, an ancient palisade that encircled the city and was used to hold off the French colonial army. Continue to Missiri Koro where animists and Muslims worship side by side. Enter the natural cave used as mosque before returning to Sikasso. This afternoon, drive to Zerlaba where you will witness a traditional balafon dance performance.

Today is drive day as you transfer back to Bamako.

Following breakfast at your hotel, drive southwest of Bamako to Siby in the Mande area. Dogon are originally from Mande area and they migrated to the cliffs in the 11th century. Because of the security situation in Dogon Country, many families have come back to their fatherland. Walk to the historical cave of Kamandjan, learn about the fascinating history before witnessing a fascinating Dogon Mask dance. Drive to Dioulafoundo, a very old Malinke village for dinner and a night under the stars.

Enjoy breakfast as the sun rises before you then drive to Kangaba. On the way, you will visit Samako, an authentic Malinke village where you will see round and rectangular houses covered with thatches, the first belonging to the women and the second for men. See Kuru kan Fugan where the first constitution was pronounced in 1236 by the Emperor Soundiata Keita and 12 other kings. It is in this same place that the country received its name Mali. The Emperor said “Our land is now the biggest and the strongest one in the area, let’s give the name ‘Hippopotamus’ to our country” Hippopotamus, being the biggest and strongest animal in the water and on the earth, literally translates to Mali in the kings local language. See the sacred house which has its roof renewed every 7 years before returning to Bamako.

Following breakfast, explore this capital city, situated on the Niger, one of Africa’s great rivers. The city was founded in 1640, but didn’t really start to grow until the French colonial period began in 1898. Mali is a country of many tribal peoples, each with their own exuberant styles of clothing and jewellery.

There is nowhere better to see this colourful diversity than in the streets and markets of Bamako. Bamako has a large art and craft centre where sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewellers and metal workers exhibit your wares and skills. Another highlight of your tour is the Grand Marche, or ‘Great Market’, where you can spend hours exploring the hundreds of stalls. From carvings and cassettes, to fabrics, beads, brass and gold, the variety of goods is staggering.

One area of the market is devoted entirely to traditional African medicines. Here you’ll find the shrunken heads of birds, monkeys and crocodiles along with lizard skins and other gruesome treatments. From here, you will visit the national museum which will give you an introduction to the Malian culture and history.

You will then take a walk in the renovated National botanic park. Time permitting, you will visit the recycling market of Bamako where local artisans convert old metal to other products.

Take in the view on Point G, the hill of health, the recycling market, the National Museum and the handicraft market. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.