Located in the Dogon country in Mali, the Bandiagara Cliffs are a 135-kilometer escarpment of cliffs and sandy plateaus that rise more than 500 meters above the flats to the south. Once considered a UNESCO World Heritage site (1989), the cliffs end with the Hombori Tondo, Mali’s highest peak, at 1,115 meters. The result is an incredibly imposing and magnificent set of peaks that rise high above the rest of the country.
Each February, an enormous festival is held in Ségou, Mali, known as the Festival on the Niger. Since 2005, the festival has drawn an enormous variety of talented artists, and prominently features African artists. Beyond the big stars, young singers and dancers are also given the opportunity to take the stage, and the festival draws thousands of attendees each year.
While Boucle du Baoelé National Park isn’t known for its wildlife — unlike many other national parks in Africa — it is unique in its large collection of prehistoric rock art and tombs. The park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list in 1999, and has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to see the attractions.
Some of the most impressive waterfalls in the country, the Woroni Falls (also known as les Chutes de Woroni) fall more than 20 meters from imposing cliff faces to form natural pools that are open to the public for swimming. Surrounded by lush greenery, the Woroni Falls are a popular spot for travelers looking to take a dip, have a picnic, or even get married!
The Niger River, the third longest in Africa, is a sight unto itself, but also worth a visit for all of the unique adventure opportunities it gives visitors. River cruises on traditional wooden vessels are a popular option, and there are many spots where you can camp among the landscape and see some of Mali’s wildlife, including hippos and numerous exotic bird species.
If you’re staying in the capital city in Bamako, be sure not to miss the hills and caves just outside the city center. Inhabited since early times, the caves are packed with wall paintings and the like, and the view from the hillside overlooking the city is phenomenal!
If you have the fitness level (or the four-wheel drive vehicle) to make it to the top of the Koima Dune, head up there at sunset for an incredible view of the surrounding desert and the Niger River stretching as far as the eye can see. You can go at other times besides sunset, of course, but the pink sky just adds a little extra oomph.
The highest point in Mali, Mount Hombori itself is an incredible sight to see from the outside, but is also an extremely significant archaeological site. Its caves were inhabited thousands of years ago, and are still filled with paintings and artifacts for visitors to see.
Thought to be the burial place of Askia Mohammad I, one of the Songhai Empire’s most notable emperors, the tomb of Askia was built in 1495 and is an incredible testament to the mud-building traditions of the West African Sahel. It is the largest pre-colonial architectural monument in the region, and its unique style speaks volumes about the country’s former empires.
Mopti, a town in the Inner Niger Delta region, is an incredibly unique place that is home to the Grand Mosque, one of the city’s greatest attractions. The town itself is known as the “Venice of Mali” for its cultural experiences. The city still acts as an active river port, and boasts an unrivaled landscape in the region.
