ITINERARY

West Africa Tour #2
Visiting Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger
January 23 - February 3, 2010

Arrive BAMAKO
HOTEL SALAM

BAMAKO

Morning sightseeing of Bamako: Visit of the national museum (one of the best ethnographic museums in West Africa). Visit of the artisan market, the recycling market and the different monuments in town marking the history of the country. Lunch at the Restaurant APPALOUSA or African Grill and return to hotel.

7:00 PM: Transfer to SANTORO Restaurant (famous for its African specialties and art gallery) Dinner and transfer back to hotel.

Check in at hotel, then
We visit the different mosques, the explorers’ houses, the museum, the ancient manuscripts, the bustling food market and the artisan market. Lunch at hotel.

4:30 PM: We embark on a camel journey or drive to the desert to visit the Touareg camps and explore life of the desert people (The Blue Men of the desert).

Situated at the confluence of Bani and Niger rivers, Mopti is one of Mali’s liveliest trading centers with its harbor of hundreds of pirogues transporting both goods and people to and from neighboring villages.

We will visit the port, the market, see the mosque and havelunch at the “Bar Bozo.” Local Restaurant situated in the heart of the port and overlooking the Niger River).

Afternoon Cruise ride on the Bani and Niger rivers to visit the Bozo village. During sunset cruise, we provide soft drinks for all passengers to enjoy on the cruise.
HOTEL KANAGA

MOPTI

Morning early breakfast and drive to Djenné (2 hours driving).

Founded in the 9th century, Djenné is one of Africa’s oldest cities.We take a walking tour of Djenné to visit the market, the famous mosque (the biggest mud monument in the world), the coranic schools and the narrow streets decorated with Moroccan designed window doors on the Sudanese architecture. Lunch at Hotel Campement in Djenné.

Afternoon drive back to Mopti. En route we will stop in Sevaré to visit  Peace Corps Baba’s Art gallery and Beads museum.

Drive to the Songho.
Upon arrival we will hike for 5mn to have a good panoramic view over Songho and then visit the famous circumcision cave and rock paintings. Continuation to Sangha and arrive around noon.

Check in at hotel GUINA
Lunch at hotel

Afternoon Visit the village of Sangha to explore the Dogon culture and architecture. The Dogon country is a real cultural sanctuary. We will visit the fetish houses, the Toguna, the granaries and the women sacred houses.

Return to hotel. Dinner and overnight
Hotel Guina

Morning early breakfast and take a half-day excursion to the cliffs, taking us to the most beautiful Dogon villages perched on the cliff sides.

Driving down the cliffs from Sangha, we will have a panoramic view over the beautiful villages on the face of cliffs and under the light of the sunrise: Banani, Irelli:UNESCO world heritage.

At 5:00 PM we will enjoy the spectacular Dogon mask dance (one of the most invigorating tribal dances found anywhere). After this performance we will drive back to the hotel to enjoy dinner.

Leave DOGON COUNTY by private bus entering

BURKINA FASO

via Koro to OUAGADOUGOU
HOTEL SOFITEL(a Laico Hotel)

Brief city tour.
Museum of Musical Instruments, the Cathedral, the Maison du People, built during communist rule, and the Grand Marché.

Leave OUAGADOUGOU by 2J #0318

Arrive NIAMEY
HOTEL GAWEYE

Afternoon River cruise

NIAMEY

Morning excursion to Koure to visit the giraffes of West Africa.

Afternoon city tour including the National Museum, the park, zoo, aquarium and old quarters.

Leave NIAMEY by AF #731
Arrive PARIS, Charles de Gaulle

Note: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner