Mali (Bamako, Sikasso, Segou, Mopti, Dogon, Djenne) Burkina Faso (Bobo Dioulasso, Bandora, Gaoua, Ouagadougou, Tiébilé) Benin (Natitingou, Abomey, Cotonou, Ouidah)
Absorb the vistas of Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin in this 19 day tour of West Africa. Take a camel ride out from Timbuktu, Visit Djenne on market day and mysterious Dogon Country. Visit the craft market in Ouagadougou and the “Slave Road” in Benin.
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Day 1: Bamako, Mali
Arrive Bamako; meet assist and transfer to Hotel.
Meal(s) Included: No
Overnight at Azalai Grand Hotel or SimilarDay 2: Bamako
After breakfast, city tour of Bamako: enjoy a panoramic view of Bamako from Point G, called the hill of Health; visit the National Museum, providing an excellent introduction to the ethnic diversity of the country. Visit the city’s craft bazaar to see sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewelers and metal workers exhibiting their wares and displaying their skills.
One area of the market is devoted entirely to traditional African medicines. Tour the handcraft center to shop for souvenirs.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Azalai Grand Hotel or SimilarDay 3: Bamako/Sikasso
After breakfast drive to Sikasso, passing through the rich agricultural lands of southern Mali. Sikasso is considered to be Mali breadbasket. View the remnants of the Tata, an ancient palisade that encircled the city which, for a time, held off the French colonial army. In the Mamelon, residence of the kings of Sikasso and the cultural centre Sénoufo tribal homeland – learn about this brave tribe and their strong heritage. Overnight in Sikasso.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel du Cinquantenaire or SimilarDay 4: Sikasso / Ségou
After breakfast drive to the Bambara Kingdom: Segou. Visit the village of Sekoro former capital of the Kingdom; the pottery market along the river side and the colonial buildings of Segou; see how women prepare local beer and learn and experience how to dye mud cloth at the Ndomo.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel Independence or SimilarDay 5: Ségou/Mopti
After breakfast, drive to Mopti and visit the beautiful mosque, the fishing port and the bustling market, where you can shop for gold or silver jewellery, Tuareg leatherwork, or Fulani blankets of cotton or wool. In the afternoon enjoy a sunset sail on the Niger River in a traditional Pinasse. Overnight in Mopti.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel Kanaga or SimilarDay 6: Mopti/Dogon
After breakfast, drive to Mali’s fascinating Dogon country, visit the Dogon village of Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and grotto; continue to Sangha, comprised of 10 distinct Dogon villages – some are traditional animist and others have converted to Islam.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Campement Hotel Sangha (Bandiagara) or SimilarDay 7: Dogon
After breakfast, visit the village of Banani. Continue to the villages of Ireli and Amani, site of a sanctuary for crocodiles which are sacred to the Dogon people. Visit the village on the edge of the Bandiagara Cliff. Continue to Bandiagara for overnight.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel La Falaise or SimilarDay 8: Dogon/Djenné
After breakfast, drive to Djenne and visit the magnificent Grand Mosque, the world’s largest mud brick structure, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel Djenne-Djenno or SimilarDay 9: Djenne/Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
This morning drive to Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso’s second largest city. Time permitting this afternoon we will drive to mysterious Koumi, a typical Bobo village. Here, time seems to have stood still for centuries. Sites of interest in Koumi include the young female’s’ initiation place. This evening return to Bobo.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Auberge or SimilarDay 10: Bobo Dioulasso/Banfora/Bobo Dioulasso
Tour the city of Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso’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. In the afternoon, drive to Banfora to visit the Karfiguela waterfalls and Lac Tengrela. On the way, visit the domes of fabedougou that are natural sculptures, enjoy a cruise on lake Tengrela. This evening return to Bobo.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel Auberge or SimilarDay 11: Bobo Dioulasso/ Gaoua
After breakfast drive to Gaoua. In the afternoon, visit the mysterious stone ruins of Loropeni, whose origins are unknown then continue to Kampti to visit the Lobi houses and the Fetish man with his family. Learn the culture of the Lobi people.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Hala Hotel or SimilarDay 12: Gaoua/ Ouagadougou
After breakfast, visit the Poni Museum, dedicated to the Lobi culture; see the distinctive, fortress-like Lobi architecture, then continue on to Ouagadougou. Visit the sacred crocodiles of Bazoule on the way. Overnight in Ouagadougou.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hala (Ala)Hotel or SimilarDay 13: Ouagadougou/Tiébilé/Ouagadougou
After breakfast drive to Tiebile, the home of the Kassena ethnic group. See the houses with their unique architecture colourfully and intricately painted in traditional designs by the women Kassena women. Time permitting, meet with the village chief. Return to Ouagadougou for overnight.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Splendid Residence or SimilarDay 14: Ouagadougou
Full day to explore Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital city; visit the Grand Market and the National Museum, with its interesting collection of regional clothing, masks, household utensils, and ancestral statues; visit the craft market at the Artisans’ Center where you will find basketry, batik fabrics, wooden statues, and masks, jewelry, leatherwork and bronze castings.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Splendid Residence or SimilarDay 15: Ouagadougou/Natitingou, Benin
Depart Ouagadougou after breakfast and drive to Fada N’Gourma, cross the BF-Benin border and continue to Natitingou, in Somba country; overnight in Natitingou.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Tata Somba Or Similar
Day 16: Natitingou / Abomey
Visit the Natitingou Museum for an interesting overview of the Somba culture; then drive to Abomey, the birthlace of voodoo; visit Abomey’s historical Daho-Donou Museum; overnight in Abomey
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Dako Ler Bohicon Or Similar
Day 17: Abomey-Cotonou
Visit the ancient palaces of the twelve kings of Abomey, who reigned from 1620 through 1900; visit the artisans’ center; then depart for Cotonou; overnight in Cotonou.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Du Lac Or Similar
Day 18: Ouidah
Tour of Ouidah, an important traditional religious center and ancient slave depot, which sent thousands of African’s into slavery into 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; witness a traditional voodoo ceremony featuring the spirits of departed ancestors; return to and overnight in Cotonou.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Du Lac Or Similar
Day 19: Cotonou – Depart
In the morning visit Ganvie village, built on stilts over the lagoon; then continue with a tour of Cotonou, including the international Dantokpa market, with its fetish products and handcraft center; in the evening, transfer to the airport for your final departure.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Azalai Le Grand Hotel
One of the very first hotels build during the colonial era, Le Grand Hotel has always enjoyed hosting a variety of guests coming to Mali on business or on a cultural quest. They have always appreciated the comfort and location of this landmark hotel situated at the foot of the Presidential Palace of Koulouba and next to the historic railway station.
Learn MoreHotel Du Cinquantenaire
A newly luxurious 4-star Hotel built in Sikasso, Hotel du Cinquantenaire is right at the entrance of the city from Bamako. The Hotel charmingly renders your stay pleasant in the South of Mali with its comforts and the quality of its services.
Learn MoreHotel Independence
Located in Segou, it's a hotel, with a restaurant, bar, pool, conference hall and a tropical garden.
Learn MoreHotel La Falaise
Our hotel is located right in the heart of the fabulous Dogon country, on Bandiagara’s cliff in Mali. It was built in 2005 with a traditional architecture which respects environment while offering maximum comfort to visitors. Our whole team is at your service to guarantee a relaxing stay. We will also be there to give you smart advices and tricks for your journey through Mali.
Learn MoreHotel DjenneDjenno
Located in Djenne, Mali, Hotel DjenneDjenno is beautifully designed and decorated to reflect the culture of Mali. This unique lodging overlooks a lovely garden.
Learn MoreHotel Auberge
Located in Segou,very close to the Niger river, it's a hotel, with a restaurant, a bar,pool,conference hall and a tropical garden.
Learn MoreHotel Splendid
The hotel is located in Ouagadougou, and has 75 air-conditioned rooms and 6 suites.
Learn MoreHotel Tata Somba
The Tata Somba Hotel is cozy and built in the traditional “tata” style of the area. The clean, spacious rooms are arranged around the swimming pool. Meals are mostly served poolside. The helpful staff also runs the lodge in Pendjari Park and will help organise accommodation and transportation if you intend to visit the park on your own.
Learn MoreHotel Du Lac
Hotel du Lac offers diverse quality services with 58 rooms including 4 suites and 12 luxurious studios all air-conditioned and equipped with bathrooms, telephone and satellite dish television. Hotel du Lac is located on the shores of picturesque Lake Nokoue and it offers boat trips to the picturesque village-on-piles of Ganvie located on the same lake. A shuttle is available free of charge Airport-Hotel-Airport. Ask for it on reservation.
Learn More
Trip Includes:
- Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure
- Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers and luggage handling
- Hotel accommodation in the listed properties
- Transportation in private vehicle
- Experienced tour guides
- Meals indicated
- Admission to sites listed
- Domestic airfare within Africa
- Day room in Cotonou on the final day