Mali

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa bordering Algeria in the north, Niger in the east, Ivory Coast in the south and Guinea, Senegal and Mauritania in the west. Mali is known as “Jewel of West Africa Crown”. Total area of Mali is around 1,240,192 sq km with a population of about 15 million. Mali has various tourist attractions like historical monuments, cultural sights, nature place and religious landmarks. Mali is a good place for those who like adventure. Official Language of Mali is French.

Some of the important tourist attractions of Mali are Cliff of Bandiagara, Tomb of Askia, Mopti, Great Mosque of Djenne, Dogon Country, Timbuktu, Maison des Artisans, Fort de Medine, National Museum at Bamako, Niger River, Mopti, Old Towns of Djenne, Koima Dune, Gouina Falls, Lake Debo and much more.

Great Mosque of Djenne: Great Mosque of Djenne is like a sandcastle stands on a vast esplanade. It is the biggest mud brick structure in the world. The Mosque was originally built in 13th century and rebuilt in 1906.

Tomb of Askia: Tomb of Askia, a 17 meter tall pyramid shape tomb and a mosque has been built by Emperor Askia Mohamed of Songhai dynasty in 1495. The tomb is entirely made up of mud, a exemplary of the mud building traditions of West Africa.

Dogon Country: Dogon home have unique architecture, having huts with flat roofs, graveyards on cliff tops and meeting places. The cliff of Bandiagara provides trekking opportunities for the adventurous.  

Timbuktu: Timbuktu is an old city situated near the edge of the Saharan desert, was an intellectual and spiritual capital for the propagation of Islam in Africa in 15th and 16th centuries. Its three great mosques, Djingareyber, Sankore and Sidi Yahia, recalls Timbuktu`s golden age.

Mopti: Mopti is the beautiful river city at the convergence of Bani and Niger rivers. The city is often referred to as the Venice of Africa because of its old busy river ports. Sudanic style, recently renovated mosque is one of the attractions in Mopti.

Food: Couscous- a type of pasta, Poulet Yassa- dish of marinated chicken in lemon juice and onion, Tigadèguèna- a dish of meat in peanut sauce.    

Climate:  Mali has three different seasons, Rainy season (from June- October), the winter season (from October- February) and summer season (from march- June). The climate of Mali is hot with average temperatures ranging between 24 C- 32 C.