Timbuktu or Dogon Country?

COVID slowed us down for a couple of years, and now a few health issues challenge us.  We're still traveling if not writing about it quite so much. Our goal in 2022, get to all seven continents in one year!

We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels. 

Yes.... Timbuktu really IS a place... and it's quite an historic one.

We thought we wanted to go to Timbuktu... What traveler hasn't wanted to get there.

I mean it IS something you're heard about forever isn't it?

It's been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently, but this was years ago...

So we went to Mali.... That's where it is... In Mali, West Africa.

But we discovered a dilemma once we arrived.

Call us crazy (lots of our friends DO), but we went to Mali with no firm plans or reservations...


We Went BEFORE The INTERNET!

Yes, it's true; there hasn't always been the World Wide Web. The internet has made travel so much easier. And information on visas and safety is more available... check on everything.  But back then...

We had to call the Embassy of Mali and have them send an application form..., and we had to send our passports through the mail.

Mali has as many visa requirements as anywhere, so checking their Embassy site will give you a good idea what to expect anywhere in the world.

You need:

     A valid passport
     Two (2) recent passport size photos (glued on the application forms)
     Two (2) completed application forms
     A copy of an airline itinerary or a flight ticket
     A copy of the yellow fever certificate
     A copy of hotel reservation
     The appropriate fee ($100 for US citizens)

But as it turned out, the requirements weren't quite so strict back then... We didn't have to have a hotel reservation, and maybe that wasn't so good. We got our visa..., but we went without any real plans, and that was our problem.

We didn't get to Timbuktu because we had to choose between that and Dogon country.

We Chose Dogon Country

When we got to the capital of Bamako, we found the government travel service and talked to them about getting to Timbuktu. We found that the (then) weekly flight to Timbuktu had been canceled. We could drive to Timbuktu up one side of the Niger River, or we could go to Mopti and the Dogon country.

Since there was so much culturally in Djenne, Mopti, and the Dogon region, we went for that, and with much reluctance, we missed Tombouctou as it is known there.

We Got A Good Driver

We arranged for a car and driver. We were very careful to ask for a good driver.

And he was. He was careful and took good care of us....

But he had never been out of the capital city of Bamako. That made for an adventure!

One tip here is to be careful what you ask for and how you phrase it. Our driver was safe and kind, but he was as much of a tourist as we were.

Djenne Mosque in Mali Africa

We drove to Djenne, arriving in the early evening to see the Grand Mosque which is the largest mud brick mosque in the world and a World Heritage site.

Not Timbuktu--Djenne mosque

Then we went to Mopti to spend the night. Mopti is known as the "Venice of Mali" because it is located between the Niger and Bani Rivers.

In the market, we saw the Tuaregs, the blue men of the Sahara. Their caravans had brought salt slabs from the Sahara Desert to the Mopti riverside to sell.

The ladies in the market were beautiful in their colorful dresses.

Tuareg nomads in Mopti, Mali  West Africa
Ladies in the Mopti Market

On To Dogon Country

We drove on into Bandiagara and Sangha in Dogon country.

Just outside our hotel in Sangha, we were lucky to see traditional dancers.... they were putting on a show for a visiting dignitary.

The next day we hiked down the Bandiagara escarpment. Villages cling to the cliffs their typical granaries and distinctive houses.

Dogon Dancers Mali
Dogon Village Mali Africa

And it was all worth it, but we still regret that we didn't get across the Niger River to Timbuktu.

Travel Tips For Getting To Timbuktu?

First of all we have to say... check travel advisories.  There has been unrest in Mali since we were there, and you want to be sure it will be safe.

This is a destination you need to plan for unless you have lots of time to wait around. There are regular flights from Bamako, the capital, and from Mopti, but they go only once to three times a week. Schedules change often, and flights may be erratic or canceled. You could go by boat from Bamako or Mopti but this will depend on the water level in the Niger River. You can also get a car and driver to take you up the other side of the Niger River from Mopti, but the track is rough. We have heard that there is bus service. Check ahead for any of these options and make your plans before you go. And even then, be flexible.

A government tourist office or travel service is a good place to check if you arrive in a developing country without plans.

And to repeat that tip about our driver.... Be careful what you ask for. We asked for a good driver... and he was... and we've laughed about our adventures with him and the wrong turns we made. Maybe what we should have asked for was an experienced driver, but then we probably wouldn't have had to buy him the t-shirt!

Trust me, we hope things settle down in the region and we can get back to Mali some day and see that fabled city. Timbuktu should be on every travelers brag list!

Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark

Curious about what else we've written about?  Search our site for a destination or travel tip.

But... We'd love to have you share this page or comment on it…
Thanks, Judy and Mark

Africa Dream List
Go to MouseToursTravels Home Page

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Did it help with your travel planning and preparation? Eager to leave on that next vacation? Please leave your tips or comments in the box below.

Timely Tips

Spring is here in the Northern Hemisphere...
or soon will be.
The almonds and mustard are blooming
The grapes will soon bud out

California Spring - Grapes, Almonds and mustard

It's Fall in the Southern Hemisphere
Great time for an
Australian Wine Tasting Drive.

It's a great time to travel almost anywhere in the world...
If only we could....
Health issues are keeping us home for now, but we still dream of travel.
We hope you are dreaming and planning travels too...

AND

You can get some armchair travels in by looking around here...

Enjoy!

Are you planning your travels?
The weather can be changeable, so be sure to pack layers and some rain gear...

See all of our Packing Lists and Tips.

Where Do You Want To Go?
Things to See in Europe
Travel In America
Does Africa Call?

Don't just dream about it...
Start making plans!

Custom Tour Planning List
International Travel Planning Tips
Foreign Is Fun - Not Scary!

Check Your Passport
Do you have yours? Is it up to date?
Get Your Passports and Visas

Search

Search MouseToursTravels
Travel questions or destination info?
Find our answers faster..
.

Translate

We want you to feel comfortable out in the world and on our pages - so surf away in your own language...

Updated Tips & New Travel Stories

  1. 2022 Travels To All Seven Continents

    After COVID, all seven continents in one year was a worthy goal for our 2022 travels..

    Read More

  2. 2021 Travels - Another COVID Year?

    Our 2021 travels were only domestic. COVID kept us close home. Road trips and a cautious flights but still fun.

    Read More

  3. 2020 Travels - What Travels?

    Our 2020 travels were slim. COVID kept us home too. One trip to the Three Guyanas, but dreaming of travel next year.

    Read More

Two Ways To Like Us!

Like Our Site Top Left
Like Our Fanpage Below
Thank You!

Navigate Our Site

What We’ve Written On Africa
So Far

African Dream List
African Tented Camps
Botswana Adventure

Collect Passport Stamps In South Africa
Ethiopia
Madagascar
Madagascar's Tsingy
  Our Madagascar ItinerarY
Mountain Gorilla Facts
"Our" Silverback Mountain Gorilla

Rwanda Mountain Gorillas
South Africa

Timbuktu or Dogon Country?- Mali

Other Travels Include Africa

2008 Travels
2011 Travels
2013 Travels
2019 Travels

Border Crossings

For A Little Humor

Backsides of Africa
or
Africa Seen From Behind

Ready For A New Adventure?

We escape by traveling…
But there are more ways to escape. 
Work on something you LOVE…
With A Website
SBI Teaches You Everything

First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life