Mali, 2nd; The Bradt Travel Guide

by Ross Velton

• ISBN13: 9781841620770
• ISBN10: 1841620777
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2004-12-01
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

Mali, previously a French colony, is one of the most culturally rich and diverse countries in Africa. The first edition of this guide was one of Bradt's best- sellers, enjoying its advantage of being the only English guide to Mali on the market. The diversity of Mali's culture is demonstrated in the chapters on the extraordinary cliff villages of the Dogon people, along with the Sahara region - home to the nomadic Tuareg people, and Bamako - one of West Africa's more relaxed capital cities. Lesser-known attractions are also explored and updated, such as the elephant herd migrations to the Gourma region of central Mali and rock climbing in the Hombori mountains.

Author Biography

Ross Velton has traveled extensively in French-speaking countries around the world including western Africa, and has hitchhiked across the Sahara. He currently lives in Canada.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xi
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION	1	(96)
Chapter 1 Background Information	3	(30)
Mali at a glance	2	(1)
History	3	(16)
Economy	19	(2)
People and society	21	(3)
Language	24	(1)
Religion	24	(1)
The arts	25	(5)
Food and drink	30	(3)
Chapter 2 Natural History and the Environment	33	(14)
Topography	33	(3)
Climate	36	(1)
Biodiversity	37	(7)
Environmental concerns	44	(3)
Chapter 3 Responsible Tourism	47	(6)
Cultural sensitivity	47	(1)
Charities and NGOs in Mali	48	(4)
Back at home	52	(1)
Chapter 4 Before You Go	53	(20)
Red tape and immigration	53	(2)
Health	55	(9)
Travel insurance	64	(1)
What to take	65	(5)
Tour operators	70	(1)
Research	70	(3)
Chapter 5 Practicalities	73	(24)
Getting there and away	73	(3)
Getting around	76	(8)
Accommodation	84	(1)
Tourist in Ion nation	85	(1)
Tour operators in Mali	86	(2)
Public holidays	88	(1)
Festivals	88	(2)
What to buy	90	(1)
Communications and media	91	(1)
Money	92	(2)
Health and safety	94	(3)
PART TWO THE GUIDE	97	(180)
Chapter 6 Bamako	99	(30)
History	99	(1)
Orientation	100	(4)
Getting, there and away	104	(4)
Getting around	108	(1)
Where to stay	109	(5)
Where to eat	114	(3)
Entertainment and nightlife	117	(1)
Activities	118	(1)
Practical information	118	(4)
What to see	122	(3)
Excursions from Bamako	125	(1)
Koulikoro	126	(1)
Kolokani and Nara	127	(2)
Chapter 7 Segou	129	(18)
History	129	(2)
Segou town	131	(8)
Between Segou and Niono	139	(1)
Niono	140	(2)
San	142	(5)
Chapter 8 The Niger Inland Delta	147	(28)
Djenne	147	(13)
Hamdallaye	160	(1)
Mopti	160	(8)
Sevare	168	(4)
Elsewhere in the Niger Inland Delta	172	(3)
Chapter 9 Dogon Country	175	(26)
History	175	(1)
Economy	176	(1)
Beliefs	177	(6)
The Dogon village	183	(1)
Orientation	183	(2)
Practical information	185	(2)
Bandiagara	187	(4)
Bankass	191	(1)
Koro	192	(1)
Sanga	192	(1)
Cliff villages	193	(5)
Plateau villages	198	(3)
Chapter 10 Gourma	201	(8)
Douentza	201	(3)
Hombori	204	(1)
Gossi	205	(1)
The elephants of Gourma	206	(3)
Chapter 11 Gao	209	(16)
Gao town	209	(9)
Ansongo and the southeast	218	(1)
Kidal and the desert	219	(6)
Chapter 12 Timbuktu	225	(20)
Timbuktu town	225	(16)
Elsewhere in the region	241	(4)
Chapter 13 Sikasso	245	(14)
History	245	(1)
Sikasso town	246	(7)
Elsewhere in the region	253	(6)
Chapter 14 Kayes	259	(18)
History	259	(1)
Kayes town	260	(8)
Between Kayes and Kita	268	(2)
Kita	270	(3)
Elsewhere in the region	273	(4)
Appendix 1 Language	277	(5)
Appendix 2 Further Information	282	(6)
Index	288

Excerpts

This is a country with its own, unique dynamic. Like the great river which winds its way through Mali's vast Sahelian and Saharan landscapes, the pace of lie is slow and forceful. Newly arrived travellers still in the Western groove may find this frustrating at first, but give it a while and the charm and sense of humour of these mild-mannered people will win you over.
The tourist attractions in Mali speak for themselves and need no introduction. Grim stories about uncomfortable bus journeys in searing heat and annoying guides, which are hardly original in West Africa, might put you off visiting Mali - and buying this book! So I have opened on safe ground in Africa. The rest is for you to discover.

---

Excerpted from Mali by Ross Velton
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.