Mali

Reasons to visit Mali

Mali is often overlooked by travellers heading to West Africa for a holiday. Many decide instead to visit neighbouring countries on the coast. But we can think of at least three reasons to visit Mali: its fascinating culture, breathtaking landscapes, and legendary cities.
If you’re headed to the region, don’t leave without checking out some of these incredible sights.

• It’s a landlocked country in West Africa and the 8th largest in the continent but home to less than 20 million people.
• It’s a former French colony – Which achieved independence in 1960.
• Mali is within the 10 poorest countries in the world
• The Bambara is the largest ethnic group – Who make up 35% of the total population.
• But there are many other ethnic groups – Fulani, Dogon, Soninké, Songhai, Mandinka, Tuareg and many others. The further north you go, the lighter-skinned Malians are.
• It’s predominantly Muslim – Islam is the religion practiced by 90% of the population.
• More than 40 African languages are spoken in Mali.
• Malians are honest, friendly people
• Oldest and most impressive monuments in Africa, such as the Great Mosque of Djenné, the Tomb of Askia and the Bandiagara Cliffs
• 04 Unesco World Heritage Sites
Old Towns of Djenné
Timbuktu
Tomb of Askia, Gao
Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons)
• Bandiagara Cliffs
• Grand Mosque of Djenné
• Observing the local life along the Niger River
• Sand collectors Bamako Niger River
• Sand collectors in the Niger River
• Checking out the most colourful markets
• Ségou market
• Siby
• The food
• Tiga diga na, which is basically a curry made of peanuts
• Festival sur le Niger
• Boucle du Baoulé National Park
• Woroni Falls
• Bamako Hills and Caves
• Koima Dune
• Mount Hombori
• Mopti