The country occupies the heart of a territory that once supported Africa’s greatest empires and is rich with historical resonance. This history bequeathed to Mali some of its most dramatic attractions, the legendary city of Timbuktu,whose name has never lost its allure for travellers, the gloriously improbable mosque at Djenne and the bustling river port of Mopti are simply three among many.Mali’s history has always been a story of its deserts and rivers. The lucrative trade routes of the Sahara once made the region among the world’s richest, and the Niger, one of the grand old rivers of Africa, is still the lifeblood of the country; to journey along the Niger River route (preferably on a slow boat to Timbuktu is one of the continent’s great adventures. Not far from the riverbank, the extraordinary Falaise de Bandiagara rises up from the plains, and shelters one of West Africa’s , whose villages and complex cultural rituals still cling to the edge of rocky cliffs. If you can visit one place in Mali, go to the Dogon Country: it’s utterly unforgettable.Bamako If you’re looking for a tranquil stay, you should probably look elsewhere. But if you like your markets colourful, clamorous and spilling into the surrounding streets, appreciate energy that illuminates the night and hanker for the opportunity to befriend open and friendly locals, Bamako might just get under your skin. With great restaurants, hotels and nightlife, the best museum in the region and a soundtrack provided by some of Africa’s best music stars, Bamako has plenty of reasons to linger.
