Mali tourism industry has been one of the growing business sectors of the country. The country features a number of tourist attractions. This West African country shares its boundary with Niger, Algeria, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Ivory Coast and Guinea. The ideal time to visit Mali is from November to January. Development of Mali tourism is one of the top priorities of the government of Mali. Some steps have been taken for converting this place into an ideal tourist destination.
A large number of tour operators, hoteliers, insurance agencies, financial organizations and car rental agencies have emerged to support the tourism department of Mali. The transportation facilities have been developed for attracting tourists to this place.
One can reach
Mali by flights from Paris, Europe and New York. Air France has got daily flights from Paris to Mali. Royal Air Maroc connects Mali with Europe and New York. Point Afrique and some African and pan-African airlines like Air Mauritania, Air Senegal and Air Afriqiyah also have got their flights to Mali. The Bamako Airport is located at a distance of 20 minutes from the heart of Bamako.
There is however only one train line that operates between Dakar of Senegal and Bamako. Bus services are available from several African cities like Accra in Ghana, Abidjan in Cote d'Ivoire and Lome in Togo. The tourists can also avail bush-taxis. For getting to Mali by boat, there are services from Guinea through the river of Senegal.
For getting around Mali there are bus services between Bamako, Mopti, San, Gao and Segou. For a comfortable journey, there are the taxi services for the tourists connecting larger cities. One can also travel by private or rented cars. Domestic flights connect places like Timbuktu, Mopti, Kayes, Gao, Sadiola, Yelimane and Kidal.
A huge crowd can be located in the month of January when the well-known musical event, “Festival in the Desert of Timbuktu” is celebrated. The Dogon Mask Festivals are performed during funerals whereby the men wear masks of animals and that of the god of creation called ‘Amma’. The other festivals of Mali are:
- Crepissage de la grande mosquee de Djenne, which is celebrated in April at Djenne
- Diarawara, held in Bouala Monzon in the month of November
- Deegal, Diafarabe, which is celebrated in Mopti
- Sigui, Pays Dogon - Sangha et environs
- N'Koson, celebrated in March at Farabougou Degnekoro
- Nugu Mo, held between May and June at entre Kangaba et Kela
- Dama du pays Dogon (June), pays Dogon
- Mariage de Banamba (June), Banamba
- N'Da, Nonko, Wolokoro
- Sogolon sortie de marionnettes de Kayes (November - December), Kayes
- Manian, Diana
- Temakanite de Tombouctou, Cercle de goundam
- Bire, Nara
- Refection du toit de la case sacree de Kangaba, Kangaba
- Kore, Zambougou Beleko
- Sogo Bo de Markala, Markala
- Tiebletie, Nonkon, Bassala, Dankorola
- Dialloube, Mopti
- Takoubelt, region de Kidal
- Karosotigui, Balle
There are three world heritage sights in Mali. They are Timbuktu, Djenne and Bandiagara (Dogon). Timbuktu was the trading center for salt and gold in the 13th century. A large number of tourists from Asia, America, Middle East and Europe visit this place. Since the 13th century, Djenne has been a center of arts, religion and learning. It is also the distribution center of day to day commodities. There is a Sudanese-style mosque in this place. Bandiagara (Dogon) is known for mask dance, performed by the locals.
While touring in Mali, one will come across a good gathering at Bamako where there are innumerable shops on both sides of the street. The other tourist attractions of Mali are:
- Djenne's Monday Mosque Market: This market located in front of the Djenne's fairytale mud mosque is known for a variety of items like potteries, garments, local food and spices.
- Musee National: This museum displays some excellent archaeological artifacts, statues, a model of Djenne mosque and other things of attraction. It is open between 9:00am and 6:00pm from Tuesday to Sunday. It has also a restaurant and bookshop for the tourists.
- Dyingerey Ber Mosque: It is an ancient mosque having 100 pillars inside, located in Timbuktu.
- Falaise de Bandiagara: It is a well-known hiking destination in Mali where one will come across some fascinating traditional art work.
Apart from these, the other places of interest of Mali are:
- Grand Mosque
- Parc Zoologique
- Valley of Oyanko
- Flame of Peace
- Ethnographic Museum
- Botanical Gardens
- Maison des Artisans
- Marche des Souvenirs
Accommodation in Mali is available in the hotels located in the major cities of the country. Some of the hotels of Mali are:
- Kempski
- Le Relais
- Dafina
- De L’ Amite
- Yamey
- Le Grand
- Plaza
- Residence Bouna
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Mali Travel, click on the links below:
