8 Best Things to Do in Mali

Mali is an interesting African country that has managed to be a kingdom, a colony of France, three states in one and an independent republic. Cultures and religions of many peoples and tribes are mixed here.

Who and why should come to Mali

The history of the state, the tribes inhabiting it and their heritage are of interest to scientists all over the world. Lovers of antiquity, African charm and traditions will find a lot of interesting things in the cities of Mali. The customs of numerous tribes, their crafts, way of life and modern life attract researchers and simply curious tourists to the African state.

The country attracts active tourists: there are extreme excursions to the desert, a trip to the mountains and the study of caves.

Fans of unusual architecture will be interested in the buildings of the times of French colonization and religious sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Notable cities

Timbuktu

For many Berber traders and Bedouins, this city marked the end of a difficult journey through the quicksands of the Sahara. A magical city, the very name of which conjured up the smells of colorful bazaars, aromas of spices and voodoo magic.

Today, Timbuktu can hardly be called the same mysterious highlight of the desert, but the glorious past is still in the air.

In the quarter of salt merchants there is a mosque with an unusual minaret. The religious building was built in the 15th century and has survived to this day in good condition. But due to the outflow of the population, the mosque was closed. The city is slowly swallowed by the desert, and in 1988 it was included in the list of UNESCO protected sites.

Nyono — Malian Venice

The city is entangled in a network of water channels, almost like the legendary Venice. Their construction was made possible thanks to the Niger River, which flows nearby. The inhabitants of Nyono are engaged in agriculture, in this region the soil is fertile. The presence of a large river nearby made the city a major industrial and commercial center.

Travelers will be able to ride along the canals in a boat, see the urban architecture, created under the influence of French colonization.

Bamako

Mali’s biggest and craziest city, where you can buy everything from folklore carvings to hot spices. He has some kind of unusual energy and an indelible feeling of life. The capital is famous for its nightlife, interesting cuisine, the Niger River, which divides Bamako in half.

There are architectural sights, museums telling about the settlements of people from the Paleolithic era, and national crafts. Mali’s most famous museum is also located in Bamako. Its expositions introduce visitors to local art, a collection of national tapestries, traditions and customs of the tribes inhabiting the country.

Jenna

The city is famous for its mud-brick architecture, impressive history and mosque. The city became rich in the XV-XVI centuries due to the trade in precious metals and slaves. Recent archaeological excavations have shown that Djenne is one of the oldest cities in the entire Niger basin.

Today, Djenne has become a recognized religious center because of the mosque, called the Great by the people. The impressive building was created in the 13th century and has since been restored several times.

Until 1996, everyone was allowed to enter the mosque. But after the scandalous photo shoot of Vogue magazine, the authorities closed access to the shrine to everyone except Muslims. Today the mosque is protected by UNESCO.

Segou

A small town with a population of just over 130 thousand people was once the capital of the Kingdom of Bambara — the power that ruled the lands of central Mali until the end of the 19th century. Today, the prowess and title of the capital are gone, but the city still has a few relics from that glorious time.

Tourists see the crypt of the Bambara monarchs, bustling port facilities and charming French colonial architecture.

Interesting places

Mount Hombori

The mountain rises in the middle of the desert in southern Mali. At the foot is the city of the same name, hiding behind the rocks from the sands of the Sahara. Travelers flock here to go on an extreme excursion into the sands, learn about the fascinating past in cave systems where archaeologists have discovered ancient sites.

Boucle du Baoulet National Park

Boucle du Baule National Park, spread over an area of ​​almost one million hectares in the heart of the rich Sudano-Guinean natural area, is undoubtedly one of the pearls of the Malian hinterland.

The territory of the reserve is located near the city of Kaes, cut through by the ridges of the Sahelian rocks and dotted with the remains of countless prehistoric troglodyte settlements. Giraffes, rare species of monkeys, gazelles and lions live here. Tourists are invited to look at the animals of the savannah and live in tents in nature.

Sikasso Market

The market is located near the multinational union of Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea. The prime location helps connect the landlocked heart of Africa with the ports of the Atlantic coast.

At the end of the 19th century, King Tiboi Traore proclaimed the city the imperial capital. Today, here you can feel the incredible rhythm of the life of the center of trade, learn the history of the country and go shopping.