Top 5 Mali Outdoor Activities: A Traveler’s Guide
Mali, so, too it’s a country with some seriously old stories and unbelievably amazing spots to discover, could be holding the key to that special trip you have dreamed about for years. Maybe it is the massive Sahara Desert stretching into forever, maybe it is the Niger River giving life to all things near, and maybe it is the cool Dogon Country with cliffs that are very dramatic, Mali provides outdoor experiences that’ll be in your memory for quite some time. Let us see what special memories Mali may give you.
1. Sahara Desert Exploration
When one thinks of Mali, a huge desert is usually the initial thought, or at least that is what most travelers assume. Very much of Mali stretches out into this hot and seemingly endless land of golden sand, and that, apparently, creates opportunities for those searching for adventure in some severe environments. Think about driving in a 4×4 across dunes as large as mountains, spending a peaceful night gazing at a sky showing its trillions of twinkling lights, and maybe bumping into Tuareg nomads and discovering their desert ways, actually.
Things to experience:
- 4×4 Desert Safaris: See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (4×4 Desert Safaris)
- Camel Trekking: Ride those ships of the desert across the great expanse of sand, basically. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Camel Trekking)
- Stargazing: Gaze upon countless stars far removed from any sort of bright locations that you know, alright. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Stargazing)
It is a good plan to visit places such as Timbuktu which is somewhat close by the Sahara and maybe grab guides that do desert stuff when going to the desert so you do not end up lost in the hot sands.
Read our full review: Sahara Desert Exploration Full Review and Details
2. Niger River Adventures
That Niger River, it is West Africa’s most life giving rivers, might be running through Mali being somewhat like a snake weaving across the area. Traveling along it on a boat creates a way of seeing real village life, finding different animals along it, plus viewing environments as diverse as the lands around them, right. Think about calm cruises for seeing birds, trips on local boats meeting native folks, and the chance to view hippos along the shores, maybe.
Places to check out:
- Mopti: See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Mopti Tours). This might be a super interesting port town at that area where the Bani and Niger Rivers meet and it has those market scenes and old building fronts worth taking photos of, usually.
- Djenné: Check out that World Heritage location having a massive mud-brick mosque telling some awesome cultural stories, as a matter of fact. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Djenné Mosque Tours)
- Bird Watching: Bring those cameras having big lenses to try to get looks at several bird species found around the wetlands of the Niger, maybe. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Bird Watching)
Maybe visit at times that might be outside rains because it’ll avoid flooding issues plus the wildlife becomes a little easier to watch, right.
Read our full review: Niger River Adventures Full Review and Details
3. Hiking in Dogon Country
If walking near amazing cliffs and places holds a desire, then think about hiking the Dogon Country being way east of Mali as something of interest. A region that’s very high and cool has cliffs giving protection for centuries for Dogon peoples. The place is ideal to get out and explore places packed with villages, really cool traditions, and natural scenes you would not think real, naturally.
Places worth the effort:
- Bandiagara Escarpment: Visit this awesome area listed as culturally significant for those awesome views showing Dogon living areas, like. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Bandiagara Escarpment)
- Traditional Villages: Think about tours traveling through places such as Kanga or Teli to view daily Dogon behaviors, often. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Dogon Village Tours)
- Cultural Experiences: Be certain not to skip taking place at cool ceremonies along the paths in order to totally experience what they live for, arguably. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Dogon Cultural Tours)
Be certain to use guides from local villages for doing those trips plus think of taking decent footwear considering the pathways here could be something rugged at times, okay.
Read our full review: Dogon Country Hiking Full Review and Details
4. Exploring Bamako’s Natural Side
Bamako being the place people think about first to stay, is rather an intro point to seeing other interesting places in Mali but holds parks and cool areas worth seeing. Several nature locations found right close by make interesting opportunities for walks plus escaping all that urban clamor, you know. When close think of trips that may give rest plus cool chances to view plant life, naturally.
Awesome spots in Bamako:
- Bamako National Park: That awesome park contains paths across different lands showing everything right down from forests to places growing various plants, basically. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Bamako National Park)
- Botanical Garden: Search for different plant groupings for having a soothing moment in some nicely cared for region in Bamako, very. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Botanical Garden)
- Day Trips to Mount Mandé: Travel up this high area close to Bamako offering not only awesome scene viewing however great cultural relevance also, at the end of the day. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Mount Mandé)
Thinking of days that happen to be somewhat less warm would make touring places on your feet feel better, as I was saying.
Read our full review: Bamako Natural Attractions Full Review and Details
5. Community-Based Tourism
If the goal involves seeing Mali while helping people, you might like seeing places encouraging tours with locals and letting native behaviors thrive as you help out the place visited. Several companies throughout Mali focus around letting journeys mean much more for both visitors as well as those visited. Expect experiences showing customs, local artwork, stories, right.
Locations providing tours assisting people:
- Participate in Local Festivals: Attending town held gatherings will present experiences connecting personally with peoples through song, food, dancing all shown throughout such fun gatherings, that. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Mali Festivals)
- Visit Artisan Workshops: Take some days touring workshops for craftwork to not just watch locals display amazing techniques though, also, make some investment locally when obtaining handmade products showing Malian craft talent, arguably. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Artisan Workshops)
- Stay in Ecolodges: Pick sustainable residences helping decrease tour impacts over locations traveled all with helping locations retain traditions as much too, very. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Ecolodges)
Always search ahead when picking spots that emphasize both open-door feelings plus giving something back towards the population you hope seeing, honestly.
Read our full review: Community-Based Tourism Full Review and Details
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