Tour Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Bamako, Mali

International flight arrives in Bamako in the evening; airport-to-hotel transfer; overnight in Bamako (Grand Hotel, or similar)

Day 02, 03 & 04: Bamako - Djenne (570 km; ~7hrs)

After breakfast, drive across the heartland of Mali, to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city; sightseeing en route; overnight in Djenne (Hotel Campement, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 05: Djenne - Dogon country (230 km; ~3½hrs)

Visit Djenne on its weekly market day, when Djenne is at its colorful best; stroll around the market stalls, spread out before the magnificent Great Mosque: originally constructed in the XIIIth century, it is the world's largest mud brick architecture and one of Unesco's World Heritage sites; in the afternoon, drive to Dogon country; overnight in Sangha (Hotel Campement Guina, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 06: Dogon country

Visit Sangha, comprised of 10 distinct Dogon villages—some are traditional animist and others have converted to Islam; descend the Bandiagara escarpment and visit the village Banani; you will see ancient Tellem cave dwellings in the cliff face; continue to the villages Ireli, and Amani, site of a sanctuary for crocodiles which are sacred to the Dogon people; option to witness a traditional Dogon mask dance ceremony, an authentic representation of one of the Dogon people's mourning rituals; return to and overnight in Sangha (Hotel Campement Guina, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 07: Dogon country - Mopti (120 km; ~2hrs) / Niger River

Depart Dogon country today; but first, visit one last Dogon village: Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto; circumcision ceremonies are held here every three years, and the rock paintings are historical representation of noble Dogon families; continue to Mopti, the Venice of Mali, nestled between the Niger and the Bani rivers; city tour of Mopti, including the beautiful mosque, the fishing port and the bustling market; enjoy a tranquil sunset sail on the Niger River in a traditional pirogue; overnight in Mopti (Hotel Kanaga, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 08, 09 & 10: Mopti - Bamako (640 km; ~7½hrs)

After breakfast, return drive to Bamako; en route, visit Terekongo village, site of a sacred well inhabited by protector spirits of the Bobo people; every morning a sacrificial chicken is offered to the spirits to assure the well-being of the village; overnight in Bamako (Grand Hotel, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 11: Bamako - Dakar, SENEGAL

Bamako city tour, including a panoramic overview of the city from Point G; visit the National Museum, the city market and the artisans' village, where you will see craftsmen at work: silversmiths, wood carvers, weavers, and leather workers; in the evening, transfer to the airport for your flight to Dakar; in Dakar, transfer to your hotel; overnight in Dakar (Hotel Novotel / Farid or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 12: Dakar / Goree Island - Saint Louis (265 km; ~3½hrs)

City tour of Dakar including the colorful Kermel market; then board the ferry for Goree Island, old slavery depot for some 300 years; visit the House of Slaves and the Historical Museum; lunch on Goree, then return by ferry and drive to historic Saint Louis; overnight in Saint Louis (Hotel Cap St. Louis, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 13: Saint Louis / Parc Djoudj (60 km; ~¾hr)

Excursion to the Parc Djoudj national bird sanctuary, another of Unesco's World Heritage sites, and one of the world's richest in bird species; enjoy a pirogue ride to better view the many types of cormorants, pelicans, ducks, flamingos, various songbirds and more; you may also see crocodiles, boas and wild boars; in the afternoon, return to and visit old colonial Saint Louis city; overnight in Saint Louis (Hotel Cap St. Louis, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 14: Saint Louis - Thies - Saly (250 km; ~3hrs)

Depart St-Louis via Thies; visit the renowned tapestry cooperative, and continue to Saly beach resort; remainder of the day at leisure — enjoy the sun, the sand, and the ocean; overnight in Saly (Savana Saly, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 15: Saly - Dakar (80 km; ~1hr) - final departure

Relax on the beach, or enjoy one of the many activities available at the resort: surf boarding, jet skiing, tennis, etc.; afternoon transfer to Dakar airport for your final departure

with Breakfast

1 km ~ 0.6 mile; driving times are approximate, depending on local conditions and stops

Suggestion: you may wish to add-on a few days at the end of the tour, to relax on the beach. If so, just let us know and we will re-program your airport transfer for the day of your choice.

Please note: during the rainy season (July/Aug/Sep) the visit to Parc Djoudj in Senegal is replaced by the Langue de Barbarie bird sanctuary, as Parc Djoudj is closed.

Suggestion: you may wish to add-on a few days at the end of the tour, to relax on the beach. If so, just let us know and we will re-program your airport transfer for the day of your choice.

Please note: during the rainy season (July/Aug/Sep) the visit to Parc Djoudj in Senegal is replaced by the Langue de Barbarie bird sanctuary, as Parc Djoudj is closed.

Level:
All tours are typical African road travel. Fairly comfortable. Though hot and dusty at times, the rewards of such a tour are substantial. Tourist infrastructure is unpredictable in these places, Venture Travel try our best to give the best accommodation, but travellers should understand we are in Africa, therefore be flexible to accept the odd delay or change of plan, then the tour can be a fantastic experience.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Our rates normally has the below items as included and excluded from the program rates. Each and every program has its own distinct included & excluded items.

Generally included items:

Not included:

Optional: traditional Dogon mask dance in a village - upon request