When it comes to African rivers, the Congo and the Nile tend to split time in the spotlight. But the Niger -- the 3rd longest river on the continent -- deserves just as much attention. Bubbling up from the highlands of Guinea, and flowing out into the Atlantic Ocean via the massive Niger Delta, the [...]
Mali
Stories, recommendations and more concerning the country of Mali. See the country guide here for more trip planning information.
For overland travelers planning on visiting multiple countries in West Africa, organizing visas is often the biggest logistical headache. Visa policies are asymmetric and often vary from embassy to embassy. In one country, the Ghanaian embassy may not grant you a visa unless you are a permanent resident of the country where you are applying. [...]
Who would have thought that northern Mali could be some kind of culinary heaven? While the desert is typically considered a survive-on-what-you-can type of place, the populations of northern Mali have developed a few mouth watering dishes thanks to centuries of trade with northern Africa. Labadja is one of our favorite northern specialties, and it's [...]
Far and away the easiest route to travel between Senegal and Mali is the one that takes you from Tambacounda to Kédougou in Senegal, and then to Kéniéba, Kita, Kati then Bamako in Mali. The route from Kayes via Diema has really declined over the past several years and the security situation around Diema and [...]
Bamako has a storied and deserved reputation as a regional capital for live music. It's always possible to catch a show, even on the quieter nights of the week. But if you're new in town, or just passing through, you might have no idea where to begin. This is a map that will be constantly [...]
Popular throughout the Sahel, this tea is a concentrated, sweetened brew that is served in tiny glasses (think shot glass sized). The tea kettle itself is tiny, and it seems everything has been miniaturized due to the tea's strength. Here we will explain a few pointers for getting the most of the Malian tea experience [...]
