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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: Bamako - Segou (235 km; ~3hrs)

Bamako city tour: start at Point G for a panoramic overview of the sprawling city of Bamako; then visit the National Museum, the city market and the artisans' village, where you will see local craftsmen at work: silversmiths, woodcarvers, weavers, and leather workers; in the afternoon, drive to Segou; overnight in Segou (Hotel Independance, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 03 & 04: Segou - Djenne - Mopti (465 km; ~5½hrs)

Onward drive to Djenne, to see the huge, colorful weekly market, and the magnificent Great Mosque; originally constructed in the XIIIth century, this is the world's largest mud brick architecture and one of Unesco's World Heritage sites; drive to Mopti for overnight (Hotel Kanaga, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 05: Mopti / Niger River

City tour of Mopti, called the Venice of Mali because it is surrounded by the waters of the Niger and the Bani rivers; see the beautiful Sudanese-style mosque and the fishing port, bustling commercial center; enjoy a relaxing sunset sail on the Niger River in a traditional pirogue; overnight in Mopti (Hotel Kanaga, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 06 & 07: Mopti - Timbuktu (550 km; ~6hrs)

After breakfast, depart Mopti and drive across the Sahel, to the legendary city of Timbuktu, at the edge of the Sahara Desert ! overnight in Timbuktu (Hotel Hendrina Khan, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 08: Timbuktu / Sahara Desert

Visit the mythical city of Timbuktu: see the ancient mosques (built in the XIVth century) and former universities, the museum and the Ahmed Baba Institute's archives of ancient Islamic manuscripts, the explorers' houses, the city market which receives the azalaïs, the salt caravans from the desert—historically, salt from the north was traded for gold and slaves from the south; in the afternoon, excursion into the great Sahara Desert by camel caravan to visit a Tuareg camp on the dunes; the Tuareg people are knows as the Princes of the Desert; return to and overnight in Timbuktu (Hotel Hendrina Khan, or similar)

with Breakfast

Note: due to security concerns we do not go deep into the desert.

Day 09, 10 & 11: Timbuktu - Dogon country (625 km; ~7hrs)

Return drive across the Sahel, to Mali's fascinating Dogon country; overnight in Bandiagara (Hotel La Falaise, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 12: Dogon country

Visit the architectural wonders that are Dogon villages along the Bandiagara escarpment: Banani (note the ancient Tellem cave dwellings in the cliff face), Ireli, Amani (visit the sanctuary of sacred crocodiles, totem animal of the Dogon people), and Tireli village; witness a fascinating traditional Dogon mask dance, part of the Dogon people's funerary rites; overnight in Bandiagara (Hotel La Falaise, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 13 & 14: Dogon country - Ouahigouya, BURKINA FASO (180 km; ~4hrs)

Depart Dogon country, driving through picturesque villages and cross into Burkina Faso; city tour of Ouahigouya, capital of the old Yatenga kingdom, including the historic Yatenga Naba's compound (Naba = "King") and Naba Kango's tomb; overnight in Ouahigouya (Hotel Amitie, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 15: Ouahigouya - Ouagadougou (180 km; ~2hrs)

After breakfast depart for Ouagadougou; city tour of Ouagadougou: visit the Grand Market and the crafts markets at the Artisans' Center, where you will find basketry, batik fabrics, wooden statues and masks, jewelry, leatherwork and bronze castings; overnight in Ouagadougou (Hotel Silmande, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 16 & 17: Ouagadougou - Niamey, NIGER (500 km; ~6hrs)

Visit the National Museum in Ouagadougou, then onward drive from Burkina Faso to Niger; observe the Sahelian countryside and rural villages along the way; overnight in Niamey (Grand Hotel, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 18: Niamey

City tour of Niamey, including the National Museum, the large city market, and the artisans' village Wadata; optional excursion to Koure to see one the last remaining herds of giraffes in West Africa; overnight in Niamey (Grand Hotel, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 19, 20 & 21: Niamey - Parakou, BENIN (620 km; ~7½hrs)

Depart the Sahel today, for the greener tropics; see the countryside change as you cross into Benin and continue south; overnight Parakou (Hotel Majestic, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 22: Parakou - Abomey (300 km; ~3½hrs)

Onward to Abomey, city of Benin's former Danhomey kings; begin your city tour of Abomey, as time permits; overnight in Abomey (Motel d'Abomey, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 23: Abomey

Full day to continue exploring Abomey, former capital of the Danhomey kingdom; visit the Royal Palace and Museum, site of the ancient palaces of the twelve kings of Abomey (Unesco World Heritage site), who reigned from 1620 through 1900; visit the artisans' center, renowned for traditional tapestries and bronze castings, formerly reserved for the royal court only; in the afternoon, explore the Dahomey Trail with its unrestored palaces and fetish temples; overnight in Abomey (Motel d'Abomey, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 24: Abomey - Cotonou (135 km; ~1½hr)

Drive to Cotonou, capital city of Benin; city tour of Cotonou, including the fish market and the international Dantokpa market, with its fetish market and handcraft center; enjoy a pirogue excursion to Ganvie village, built on stilts over the lagoon (Lake Nokoue); overnight in Cotonou (Hotel du Lac, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 25: Cotonou - Ouidah (40 km; ~½hr)

Onward to Ouidah, the voudou capital of West Africa, and an important traditional religious center and ancient slave depot, which sent thousands of slaves to the new world; visit the Museum in the old Portuguese fort, the temple of pythons, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Kpasse sacred forest; trace the route of the famous "Slave Road" which leads to the slavery memorial of Zoungbodji; perhaps also witness a traditional voudou ceremony featuring the spirits of departed ancestors; overnight in Ouidah (Hotel Oasis, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 26: Ouidah - Lome, TOGO (110 km; ~1½hr)

Continue visits of Ouidah in the morning; afternoon drive to Lome, Togo for overnight (Hotel Ibis, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 27: Lome

City tour of Lome: visit the National Museum, Lome central market, the artisans' village, and the Akodessewa fetish market; overnight in Lome (Hotel Ibis, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 28: Lome - Accra, GHANA (200 km; ~2½hrs)

Cross the Ghana border, and continue to Accra; city tour of Accra, including the National Cultural Center, the National Museum, and the Nkrumah Mausoleum; walking tour of James Town, and crafts shopping at the Trade Fair Centre; overnight in Accra (Novotel Accra, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 29: Accra - Cape Coast / Elmina (165 km; ~1¾hrs)

Drive to Cape Coast; visit the old town and the Cape Coast Castle, former bastion of the Atlantic slave trade, now a Unesco World Heritage site; onward drive to Elmina; enjoy a walking tour of St. George's Castle and a stroll to St. Jago Hill for a panoramic overview of historic Elmina; overnight in Elmina (Elmina Beach Resort, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 30: Elmina - Kakum National Park - Kumasi (240 km; ~3hrs)

Drive to and visit Kakum National Park; learn about the rain forest and its animals, and see the forest from the canopy walkway in the treetops; onward to Kumasi, capital of Ghana's Ashante country; overnight in Kumasi (Hotel Georgia, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 31: Kumasi / Ashanti country

City tour of Kumasi, including the National Cultural Center, the Manhyia Palace, and the Kejetia market, the largest market in West Africa; afternoon excursion to visit Ashante villages (as time permits) on the outskirts of Kumasi: Bonwire village, to see authentic kente cloth being made; Pankronu village and its traditional pottery; wood carvings in Ahwiaa village; Ntonso village, for its adinkra cloth; overnight in Kumasi (Hotel Georgia, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 32 & 33: Kumasi - Tamale (390 km; ~4½hrs)

The morning is available to continue village visits around Kumasi, or depart for Tamale and visit the Baobeng-Fiema monkey sanctuary en-route; overnight in Tamale (Gariba Lodge, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 34 & 35: Tamale - Tiebele - Ouagadougou, BURKINA FASO (460 km; ~6hrs)

Onward to Burkina Faso; visit Tiebele village in Gourounsi country; visit magnificent fortress-like houses and compounds, colorfully painted with traditional motifs; onward to Ouagadougou for overnight (Hotel Silmande, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 36 & 37: Ouagadougou - Bobo Dioulasso (355 km; ~4hrs)

City tour of Ouagadougou: visit the Grand Market and the National Museum, with its interesting collection of regional clothing, masks, household utensils and ancestral statues; also visit the crafts markets at the Artisans' Center, where you will find basketry, batik fabrics, wooden statues and masks, jewelry, leatherwork and bronze castings; afternoon drive to Bobo Dioulasso; overnight in Bobo Dioulasso (Hotel Auberge, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 38: Bobo Dioulasso - Banfora (85 km; ~1hr) - Bobo Dioulasso

Morning excursion to Banfora, in Burkina's sugarcane country; return to and visit Bobo Dioulasso ("house of the Bobo merchants"), Burkina's second largest city; see the old mosque and visit the old Kibidwe artisans' district, where you will see blacksmiths, potters, and dyers at work; overnight in Bobo Dioulasso (Hotel Auberge, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 39: Bobo Dioulasso - Sikasso, MALI (170 km; ~3hrs)

Depart Bobo Dioulasso and cross the Mali border, to Sikasso in Mali's green belt; tour Sikasso: see the remnants of the Tata, ancient palisade that encircled the city and for a time held off the French colonial army; visit the Mamelon, residence of the former kings of Sikasso; overnight in Sikasso (Hotel Kaaky, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 40 & 41: Sikasso - Bamako (375 km; ~4½hrs)

Visit Misiri Koro, sacred grotto that housed the city's protector spirits; and return drive to Bamako; overnight in Bamako (Grand Hotel, or similar)

with Breakfast

Day 42: Bamako - final departure

Tour Bamako: begin with a panoramic overview of this sprawling city from Point G, then visit the National Museum, the city market, the artisans' village, and the fetish market for traditional medicine; or just relax by your hotel pool; in the evening, transfer to the airport for your final departure

with Breakfast

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

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: