14-Day Ethnic Trip to Bamako, Sibi and Ségou

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Bamako (January 22)

After the international flight arrives at Bamako, our staff will meet you at the arrival hall of Bamako airport. They will arrange your transportation to the hotel. It will be an overnight stay in the Tamana Hotel in Bamako. Bamako is the capital of Mali, located on the Niger River, in West Africa. It is a historical and cultural hub, combining arts, commerce, and trade. You can spend the rest of your day at leisure.

Day 2 - Day 6: Ogobagna Festival, Bamako (January 23 - January 27)

From the busy and colorful open-air markets to the many museums, with the area's natural beauty close by, Bamako offers visitors classic West African hospitality. Explore cultural landmarks like the Bamako Grand Mosque and Cathedral of Bamako. Don’t forget to visit the zoo, botanical gardens, and other scenic beauties of the town.

During these 5 days of staying in Tamana Hotel, the prime highlight will be the traditional Ogobagna Festival. 

The Dogon Ogobagna Festival is a vibrant celebration of traditional culture. It lasts for several days. The festival, with traditional attire and masks, provides a platform for preserving and sharing Dogon traditions. Both local and international visitors can immerse themselves in indigenous sounds, intricate dance routines, and sacred ceremonies, gaining a deeper understanding of Dogon culture. 

Day 7: Bamako – Sibi (January 28)

After having breakfast in the morning, you can rest until afternoon. Then we will depart towards Sibi. It is a village and rural community in southern Mali. This is a place for hiking and rock climbing. Here, you'll stay at the Kamanja Hotel. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner will be provided. 

Day 8: Sibi (January 29)

In the morning, we will depart for visiting Mandingo King and the traditional Mandingo Dance. It will provide you with an insight view of the Mandingo’s life. It is the home of the Mandinka ethnic group from the 13th-century Mali Kingdom. They are the largest ethnic group in Mali, although they make up less than 10% of the population. After that, you can have an excursion through the rock climbing area. After that, visit Kamadjan Arch, a natural and historical stone arch that served as a meeting place for soldiers, military councils, and intellectuals in the 13th century. More importantly, it was the place where Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Kingdom of Mali, became its ruler. Return to Kamanja Hotel. 

Day 9: Sibi – Ségou (January 30)

Today we will start our journey towards our next destination Segou, the former capital of Mali. It is a historical city on the Niger River. The city attracts visitors for its heritage, vibrant markets, and famous landmarks. You will get the essence of an old colonial city and get some insight into the lifestyle of local people. The interesting mix of heritage and colonial architecture will introduce you to Bambara culture and traditions. We will stay at Hotel le Djoliba.

Day 10: Ségou (January 31)

After having breakfast, we'll go out for a city tour. The first destination will be the Sekoro village, the ancient capital of the Bambara kingdom. There you will see the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly. Take a walk and explore many adobe buildings, antique mosques, and beautiful French colonial architecture in the Sudanese style. Also, you will see women brewing local beer, mud clothes, traditional weavers, and other artisans. Return to Hotel le Djoliba after this whole day tour.

Day 11 - Day 13: Festival sur le Niger (February 1 - February 3)

Festival sur le Niger and Cultural Caravan for Peace Network will be the main attraction of this part of the trip.

The Festival sur le Niger is a multidisciplinary event held annually in Ségou. The Fondation Festival sur le Niger was founded in 2009 to support the festival and its contribution to the arts in Ségou and beyond. The festival includes a variety of cultural activities including musical performances, dance performances, traditional rituals, and dynamic art shows. It is a vibrant place for local and international artists to engage and exchange creative ideas. The Festival sur le Niger celebrates the cultural diversity of Mali.

Also, You can take part in another event named 'Cultural Caravan for Peace Network'. It is a trans-Saharan Sahelian cooperation network created in 2013 based on the aspirations of three festivals. The Network of Cultural Caravans for Peace is committed to pursuing its goal of building long-lasting peace in the Sahel and Sahara region. They arrange various awareness and communication programs to fulfill this purpose.

These festivals and programs are dedicated to promoting and enriching artistic and cultural expressions. Also, these initiatives play a crucial role in making Ségou a significant and attractive tourist destination in West Africa.

Day 14: Ségou - Bamako - country of origin (February 4)

Here, the 2 weeks adventurous ethnic trip comes to an end. This is the last day of the trip. After having breakfast we will depart towards Bamako. On the way, we'll visit some tourist spots including Central Market (Marché Rose Colonial) and the National Museum. Furthermore, consider spending some time doing some exploration and purchasing local items to bring back as souvenirs and memories.

Finally, return to Hotel Tamana where tourists will stay until the time allowed for transfer to the airport. The 14-day tour concludes with a transfer back to the airport in Bamako. accompanied by our guides and staff.

Includes

• Accommodation

• Tickets, Entry fees 

• Pick up and transfer to the Airport

Excludes

• Tips and gratuities

• Meals

• Personal expenses