Deeply mysterious, you are almost compelled to go there!
A viable outpost for entry into the Sahara! Could this be the real set of Lawrence of Arabia? About 100,000 tourists each year visit Mali.
Present day Mali was once part of three West African empires that controlled trans-Saharan trade; the Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire and the Songhai Empire. France seized control in the 19th century. Independence from France was gained in 1959 and, with Senegal, it became the Mali Federation. A year later it became independent also from Senegal and it has been a respected democracy and a multi party state since 1991 It is an example of how democracy can work in Africa.
It is the World’s 24th largest state and is comparable in size to South Africa and Angola.
Mali is landlocked and mostly flat, rising to rolling northern plains covered by sand.
The population of 14.5 million is mostly rural, with an estimated 80% working in agriculture. About 5-10% are nomadic.
Most people live in the fertile south around the capital Bamako and by the shores of the Niger and Senegal rivers.
About one million live in Bamako.
Mali is tribal but, like Tanzania, it has historically enjoyed good, inter–ethnic relations. About 50% are Mande and about 10% are from the colourful and imposing Tuareg tribes.
Constitutionally it is a secular state. An estimated 90% are Sunni Muslim. Islam, as practiced in Mali, is moderate, tolerant and has adapted to local conditions. Relations with Christians and other faiths are very amicable.
Malians are stoical, proud and enduring people who have suffered from drought and famine of biblical proportions.
Fom the capital Bamako to the magical mystery of Timbuktu, Mali has desert scenery that may have you imagining you are on the set of Lawrence of Arabia. But there is so much more to offer than Sahara adventures; the great Niger River, medieval mud-brick mosques, and pink-hued sandstone villages carved into cliffs, the majesty of the nomadic Tuareg tribesmen. There are even desert elephants! Pr
Mali’s economical structure centres around agriculture and fishing, and there are natural resources including gold, uranium and salt.
Mali
What To See & Do
- Sail by sunset on a traditional boat on the River Niger
- Camel Caravan into the Sahara to visit a Tuareg camp on the dunes
- Witness a traditional Dogon Mask Dance in a village
- Visit the World Heritage City of Djenne, home of the largest mud building in the world, the Grand Mosque
- Trek through the magnificent Bandiagara Escarpment
- Take a Pinasse (long boat) on the River Niger to Timbuktu.
Travel Warning !!!
Due to the current political unrest in Mali, dmAFRICA has suspended operations temporarily until the situation becomes stable again.
For the latest information on the situation in Mali visit the British Government's Foreign & Commonwealth advice page by clicking here
For the latest information on the situation in Mali visit the British Government's Foreign & Commonwealth advice page by clicking here
When To Go
The best time to visit is between October and February before it becomes too hot.
The climate ranges from tropical in the south to arid in the north.
Most of the country receives negligible rainfall and droughts are frequent.
Late June to early October is the only time you should expect any rain.
The climate ranges from tropical in the south to arid in the north.
Most of the country receives negligible rainfall and droughts are frequent.
Late June to early October is the only time you should expect any rain.