|
|
23 Days 4 Countries Explorers: Burkina Fasa, Mali, Senegal and Gambia with The Festival on the Niger
offered by supplier M19125 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 23
day(s)
Group Size: 4
- 20
people
Destination(s):
Burkina Faso
Mali
Senegal
Specialty Categories:
Festival Tours
Cultural Journey
Season: January - March
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 4200 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 4200 US Dollar (USD)
|
|
Day 1, 23 January 2010: Ouagadougou. Arrival, reception at the airport and transfer at the hotel Relax Ouaga. Includes: (D).
Day 2, 24 January 2010: Ouaga – Ouguiya
Breakfast and visit of to explore Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's capital city. Ouaga, as the capital of Burkina Faso is generally known is the home to the Mossi, the largest ethnic group in the nation. All the sights can be easily reached on foot. The city’s atmosphere is relaxed and the Burkinabe are known to be very hospitable and friendly people. We’ll visit the Grand Market and the National Museum, with its interesting collection of regional clothing, masks, household utensils and ancestral statues; also visit the crafts markets at the Artisans Centre, where we will find basketry, batik fabrics, wooden statues and masks, jewellery, leatherwork and bronze castings. After continuation to Ouigouya, Overnight at the Hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 3, 25 January 2010: Ouigouya - Dogon Country
After breakfast, visit of the city the market, the handicraft market and drive to Mali's fascinating Dogon country. Being among of the most enigmatic people of Africa, the Dogons are living in stones and mud houses and granaries built up high on the narrow edges of the cliffs. The Dogons are animists, worshipping their ancestors and the spirits of nature. Having preserved their traditions through the centuries, the Dogon architecture is certainly the most well known element by external world, along with other practices such as mask dances (to request to a deceased spirit to leave the village and then rejoin the ancestors) or the fox divinatory game. The Dogons are farmers cultivating their fields either high on the cliff, in the plain or down of the cliff.
The Dogons fled the advancing of Arabs coming from the north, and found shelter in one of West Africa's most inhospitable areas difficult to reach. This difficulty contributes to Dogon’s isolation even between them, and in time each village developed its own dialect, un-comprehended by the neighbours. Today, there are about fifty of idioms in spoken Dogon language. First we’ll visit the Dogon village Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto, and then continue to Sangha, on the edge of the Bandiagara escarpment, where we stay overnight. Overnight: Campement Hotel Guina, Sangha (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4, 26 January 2010: Dogon Country
This morning we descend the Bandiagara escarpment to visit the village of Banani, where the ancient Tellem Cave dwellings in the cliff face, further the Ireli Village, Amani, where we will visit the sacred crocodile sanctuary, and Tireli. See the caves of Deguimbere and other small but interesting villages on the escarpment edge, before returning to Sangha. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5, 27 January 2010: Dogon Country-Douentza. Breakfast and departure to Douentza, you will visit some villages by the way, Arrival and tour of Douentza in the afternoon, Overnight at the Campement. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 6, 28 January 2010: Douentza – Gourma. Breakfast and direction to Gourma elephants reserve to enjoy the nature by the way visits of some villages. Overnight at the Campement.
Day 7, 29 January 2010: Gourma – Timbuktu
Depart from Gourma to reach the legendary city of Timbuktu, the city of 333 holy, the mysterious city or the doorway to the desert founded around the 11 th century by the touareg Imagcharen. In Timbuktu the tradition says: “gold comes the south, salt comes from the north, money comes from occident, but the speeches of God, holy things, wonderful stories can be found only in Timbuktu. The 6 th administrative capital of Mali, Timbuktu attracts many tourists who like to discover an exceptional cultural heritages, adventure landscape and fabulous histories of the city.
Timbuktu has maintained many ancient monuments you will d visit Timbuktu city: the mosques, the museum and archives. The Mosque of Djinguareyber, built in 14th century by emperor Kankou Moussa on his way from the Pilgrimage; the mosque Sankore of the 15 th century which hosted many intellectuals from its University; the Mosque of Sidi Yahia built at the end of the 15 th century by an old woman of the city. Overnight at Hotel La Colombe. Includes: (B), (D).
Days 8 & 9, 31 & 30 January: Timbuktu – Boat to Mopti
Breakfast and Visit of the old Islamic manuscripts in the Baba Ahmed Institute, the houses of exploratory Gordon Laing, Henri Barth, Mongo Park, and Rene Caille, the handicraft centre to discover the wonderful work of the touareg: the jewellery and the blankets. Then boat for the birds watching during three days you will enjoy a great variety of multi colour birds, to see Malian fisher’s men with their canoe, the bozo villages on bank of the river two night of Camping will full board (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Day 10, 01 February 2010: Mopti
Arrival at Mopti in the afternoon and visit of Mopti, the Venice of Mali for its location between the Bani and Niger river, visit: the beautiful mosque, the fishing port, the bustling market where many ethnic group of Mali – Bambara, Fulani, Bozo, Bobo, Dogon, Songhai, come to trade. Stay overnight at your hotel Ambedjele. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 11, 02 February 2010: Mopti - Djenne
After breakfast drive to Djenne the city classified as World Heritages because of its architecture. The city considered as the twin of Timbuktu because of its attachment on Islam. Founded around the 10 th century by Soninke, a religious city considered as one of the oldest city in Africa. The visit of children learning in Coranic School is worthy. Djenne is very famous by its biggest mud monument in the world. Arrival and we will visit the mosque, the virgin Tomb and the former Djenne Djene Djeno. Overnight in Djenné (Campement Hotel). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 12, 03 February 2010: Djenne - Ségou festival
After breakfast, departure from Djenne to Ségou, the capital or city of 4444 Balanzan considered as a mythic tree which is leafy in dry season and no leaves in the rainy season; the Balanzan “acacia albilda’ signify the bravery and the courage of the citizen of Ségou. Capital of the Bambara Kingdom of Ségou during the reign of Biton Coulibaly from 1712-1755. Ségou is Conquest in 1862 by the Toucouleur El Hadj Omar Tall and occupied by the French colonist Archinard in 1891.The Bambara ethnic is very proud of theirs culture and tradition showed by the dance step (the “Bara” and the “Bondjalan”.
The 4 th administrative region of Mali with around 1 675 358 inhabitants composed of Bambara, minianka, bwa and Soninke, Fulani, maure, somono and bozo shared in an area of 60 947 km2. Arrival and enjoy the festival on the river Niger to discover the culture of the different ethnics groups of Ségou( Bamanan, Bozo, Bobo, Minianka, Fulani) and others Malians culture(Dogon, Senoufo, Sonrhai, Touareg etc). Overnight in Ségou at hotel Pied dans l’eau or similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Days 13 & 14, 4 & 5 February 2010: Ségou festival. Continuation to enjoy the festival. Overnight.
Day 15, 06 February 2010: Ségou – Bamako
Breakfast and departure to the Capital city of Mali, Bamako is situated on the Niger, one of Africa's great rivers. Mali is a country of many tribal peoples, each with its own exuberant style of clothing and jewellery. There is nowhere better to see this colourful diversity than in the streets and markets of Bamako. By the way visit of Sekoro the capital of the former Bambara kingdom to see the vestibule, the king’s tomb. Arrival and you will visit the National Museum, the city market, the antiquary’s village and the artisan’s village.
The city has a large art and craft centre where sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewellers and metal workers exhibit their wares and skills. You can spend hours exploring the hundreds of stalls. From carvings and cassettes, to fabrics, beads, brass and gold, the variety of goods is staggering. One area of the market is devoted entirely for traditional African medicines. Here you'll find the freshly shrunken heads of birds, monkeys and crocodiles, along with lizard skins and other gruesome treatments, overnight at Mande Hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 16, 07 February 2010: Bamako – Kayes. Breakfast and departure for Kayes, the colonial capital of Mali located at the border of Senegal. Arrival and city tour (the market, the train station, Médine where Mali first school was built. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kayes. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 17, 08 February 2010: Kayes – Matam. Breakfast then drive to cross the border of Mali to Senegal, lunch and sightseeing some Malian and Senegalese village en route. P.M.: Upon arrival in Matan, we check into our hotel and stay overnight. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 18, 09 February 2010: Matam - Saint Louis
Breakfast and departure to Saint Louis Founded in 1659, on an island with a strategic position at the mouth of the Senegal River, between the continent and the ‘Langue de Barbarie’ (Barbarian Tongue), a narrow strip of land that sinks into the Atlantic Ocean, Saint-Louis is a town full of history. Saint-Louis became the capital of Senegal at the beginning of the 19th Century up until 1958, even after Dakar was promoted to the rank of capital of the French Africa. Today the town extends from the Langue of Barbarie to the Continent.
The Faidherbe Bridge, a real work of art, hangs over the Senegal River for a length of 500 meters and connects the island with the mainland and it is on the list of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Among the sites and monuments we’ll see, we can cite the Governor’s Palace, a Fortress built in the 18th Century across from the Faidherbe Place, the name of the famous colonial governor whose statue is erected in the centre. To the north and to the south of that place, the houses dating back to the colonial period, with their wrought iron balconies and verandas, which remain intact. Overnight at the Hotel Residence. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 19, 10 February 2010: Saint Louis – Dakar
Breakfast and We start our day with an excursion to the ‘Park Djoudj’, the National Bird Sanctuary, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, declared as the richest in birds in the World. We’ll enjoy a pirogue ride to better view the many species of cormorants, pelicans, ducks, flamingos, various songbirds and thousands of more. Beside birds we may also spot crocodiles, boas, and wild boars. Around ten direction to direction to Dakar, arrival in the afternoon and you will visit the Tour of the Independence Square, where you discover the old colonial buildings and the new African inspired architecture.
From the Independence Square, move on to the main government buildings: the Palais Presidential (Presidential Palace), a white building surrounded by luscious gardens; the Chamber of Commerce; and the Cornice with the Anse Bernard Beach. From here drive through the Soweto Square to see the National Assembly and then drive to the Cathedral and the National Theatre. Continue to the Grand Mosque and the Dakar University. From here you visit the well-known craftsmen village of Soumedioune; where high quality goods in many mediums may be admired or purchased, lunch on your own at a local restaurant. Overnight at your Hotel Novotel Dakar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 20, 11 February 2010: Dakar - Ile Goree – Dakar
This morning, after breakfast, visit of the best market of Dakar the kernel market with its colourful flowers, fruits, fabrics, clothing and souvenirs. Pass through Sandaga market and your guide drives you for an emotional and haunting experience at a full day tour to Goree Island, the departure point of millions headed for slavery in the Americas. A twenty minute ferry ride takes you to the once turbulent historical site. Now tranquil, Goree is a UNESCO World Heritage, which used to be a slaving station and was one of the first French settlements on the continent. The island has many clusters of pink colonial style houses, calm streets and a small beach. You have time to explore and visit the Museum Maison des Eclaves (Slaves’ House).
Continue on a stroll up to the castle for a spectacular view of the Island and beyond. From here proceed for a visit to the Town Square and the Marima Ba Girls’ Secondary School; then on to the Historical Museum, lunch on your own at a beach front restaurant featuring Senegalese food. On returning to Dakar you will visit the main museum, Institute Fundamental d’Afrique Noir (IFAN), which houses an amazing collection of masks, statues and musical instruments from West Africa. Enjoy a leisurely evening. Overnight at the Hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 21, 12 February 2010: Dakar – Banjul
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Check out and depart by road to The Gambia. Arrive and check into your hotel. In the afternoon city tour of Banjul, including the National Museum of the Gambia, the Albert market, the old town, and the craft market where you can shop for artisans, Overnight at Kairaba Hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 22, 13 February 2010: Banjul - Dakar
Breakfast at your hotel; depart for a morning tour on the Gambia River visiting the bird sanctuaries and some native villages in the creeks of the river. Visit the Mandingo villages near the border with southern Senegal. You will be shown what a naming ceremony consists of and socialize with the people, arrival in Dakar, overnight at Novotel Hotel.
Day 23, 14 February 2010: Dakar fly back. Breakfast and enjoy the whole day for your purchase and transfer to the airport in the evening.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Hotel accommodation as mentioned (or similar category)
- Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure at Airports
- Private ground transportation by AC (where available) cars or minivans
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- Airport-Hotel-Airport transfers and luggage handling
- All hotel taxes and local tourism taxes
- All tours and sightseeing with entry fees included
- Meals as indicated.
Price Excludes:
- International airfare to/from Africa
-Festival entrance ticket
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Regional airfare: Conakry / Accra (approx. USD: 290 per person)
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Gratuities, tips and other such costs
- Drinks/Beverages and any personal expenses
- Meals not specified and Mineral water.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Burkina Faso
Mali
Senegal
Local Culture
Festival Tours
Cultural Journey
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
|
|
|
, ext: 19125
