House of the Traditional Chief
With the help of a guide, you can see the beautiful House of the Traditional Chief, whose role today is mainly as an adjudicator in local disputes.
Mopti Port
Moptis port is a lively place, where boats from up and down the river unload their cargoes. Youll see slabs of salt from Timbuktu, dried fish, firewood, pottery, goats, chickens and much more. Boat building happens next to Restaurant Bar Bozo.
Musée National
The Musée National is small but nevertheless contains some beautiful ethnographic pieces from many of Malis ethnic groups, including wooden masks, carvings, contemporary marionettes and ancient textiles. French and English-speaking guides can be arranged.
Marché de Medina
The charm of this market is that few tourists reach here, so youre unlikely to be hassled. Its also a good place to buy second-hand clothes and if you have a few hours spare, you can get your hair braided or your hands and feet decorated with henna in the beauty parlour section.
Misire Mosquée
The classic Sahel-style Misire Mosquée, built in 1933, towers over the old part of town. Just before the rains in May or June the lower, mud-covered part of the mosque is re-rendered. The mosque is off-limits to non-Muslims, but money can buy you a good view from a nearby rooftop.
Sidi Yahiya Mosque
Sidi Yahiya Mosque, north of Place de lIndépendance, is named after one of the citys saints (its said that 333 saints have lived in Timbuktu) and was constructed in 1400. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter, and from the outside its the least interesting of Timbuktus main mosques.
Marché Souguni
At the Marché Souguni, to the southeast of town, traders sell fruit, vegetables, salt, fish and meat downstairs and art and crafts upstairs. A smaller market sells herbs, spices, traditional medicines and food stuff, and nearby is a small Bobo bar which features bellaphone music an
Sankoré Mosque
Timbuktus three great mosques - all inaccessible to non-Muslims - are nothing much to look at, but serve as reminders of its great past. The youngest of the three, Sankoré Mosque was raised at the turn of the 16th century. It also functioned as a university and an important centre
Tomb of the Askia
The Tomb of the Askia, north of town, was built in 1495 by Askia Muhammad Touré, whose remains lie within. Its an amazing building and a classic of Sudanese (Sahelian) architecture, with its combination of mud-brick, wooden struts and a tapering tower. It may be possible to climb t
Ségou Koro
During the 18th century, the beautiful village of Ségou Koro was the centre of Biton Mamary Coulibalys Bambara empire and the great man is buried here. Its crumbling Bambara buildings are interspersed with three ancient mosques (including one right on the riverbank) which are compa
Ethnological Museum
The Ethnological Museum occupies a hugely significant site near Sidi Yahiya Mosque, containing the well of Bouctou, where Timbuktu was founded. Theres also a variety of exhibits including clothing, musical instruments, jewellery and games, as well as interesting colonial photograph
Heinrich Barths House
Heinrich Barths incredible five-year journey began in Tripoli and took him first to Agadez, then through Nigeria and finally, in September 1853, he reached Timbuktu disguised as a Tuareg. He stayed for the best part of a year before narrowly escaping with his life and eventually re
La Dune Rose
Gaos premier tourist attraction is a sunset trip to La Dune Rose, known locally as Koïma, a wonderful sand dune on the right bank of the Niger, visible from town. As it turns pink with the setting sun, there is magic in the air, not least because it was once believed by locals to b
Centre de Recherches Historiques Ahmed Baba
An amazing collection of ancient manuscripts and books are kept at the Centre de Recherches Historiques Ahmed Baba. Home to (at last count) 23,000 Islamic religious, historical and scientific texts from all over the world, the centre is the focus of a South African-funded project t
Massina
From the pleasant Fula village of Massina, you can start a trip along the Niger by public pinasse (large canoe). A good first stop is Diafarabé, where vast Fula herds cross the Niger in one of West Africas most picturesque annual rituals. Every late December or early January (the e
Dyingerey Ber Mosque
Timbuktu has three of the oldest mosques in West Africa. While not as visually stunning as some in Mali, theyre still extremely impressive and represent classic and well-preserved examples of the Sudanese style of architecture which prevails throughout much of the Sahel. The oldest
Grande Mosquée
Djennés elegant Grande Mosque was constructed in 1907, though its based on the design of an older Grande Mosquée that once stood on the site. Famous throughout the world, the Grande Mosquée has dazzled travellers for centuries - much as it does today. It was first built in 1280, af
Doing business & staying in touch while in Mali
Mali: Doing business & staying in touch
Mali Weather, Climate and Geography
Mali Weather, climate and geography
Mali History, Language and Culture
Mali History, Language and Culture
