CULTURAL TOURS 2009/10

Mali's Festival in the Desert, a music and culture festival extravaganza is held once a year. The next is held on the 11-13 January 2007; 2008 is to be advised. 

It is one-of-a-kind, the festivals normally modeled on traditional gatherings and celebrations of the Tuareg (distiguished by their "Blue Men of the Desert" attire) identity and lifestyle, and indigenous cultural influences from all over the country.

It has to be said though, that it is a musical event and as such draws musicians from all over Mali, Mauritania, Niger and increasingly, Europe. 

In its favour are opportunities to interact with the Tuareg and indigenous people, as it is their festival event. But reports of previous festivals are contradictory and their comments conflicting; Some saying that the festival, over the last 2 years has lost much of its attraction because of the increasing frequency of UK, European and American Popular music. Others (and we would tend to concur) are saying that one must be more selective and discerning in order to appreciate the real cultural influence of the music.  The festivities include traditional singing, dancing, swordplay, camel races and artisans' exhibits. 

The festival is held in the desert oasis of Essekane, 65 kilometers from Timbouctou.

Trip Information

This trip begins in Algeria, where we collect our Algerian guide/s.  The trip is scheduled to take up to 21 days, and although the ultimate goal is the music festival, it is a rare opportunity to really experience the desert.

The beauty of a tour such as this is that it can be extended, and people have the choice of joining the tour at any of the following points; at the beginning in Oran in Algeria, for the full trip to Mali, to get a real feel of the desert, at Tamanghasset, where we will collect from the airport and retire to a hotel for our evening meal and an overnight stop before our early morning rise to continue to Mali and the festival, or from Bamako, where we will collect before driving to Essekane and the festival.

MALI TIMBOUCTOU (ESSEKANE) MUSIC FESTIVAL

Below is an approximate itinerary for these annual trips:

From ORAN to REGGANE in Algeria it will take approximately 3-4 days. Reggane to BORDJ MOKHTAR take another 2 days. If we make good time then we will camp at Bidon V historical ruins on the Balises Solaires.

After an early morning rise we continue to the border control point at BORDJ MOKHTAR, to negotiate with border officials to cross Algeria into Mali, and on entry to Mali we will have lunch and collect our Mali guide at TESSALIT.

We will then stay the night in the vicinity of AGUELHOK  and then at TABANKORT for our second night in Mali before travelling with the guide to the festival, where we will camp for the duration of the festival (4 days 3 nights) and visit Dogon Country before returning to Algeria.

After an early morning rise we drive to BOUREM where we can spend some time exploring and have a spot of lunch.  After lunch we drive to BAMBA (Dogon Country) where we set up camp for the night.

After an early morning rise, we set off for TIMBOUCTOU before driving to ESSEKANE oasis village. 

This trip will take us up to 12 days in total, travelling through Algeria and Mali, ‘wild’camping or in campsites. Equipped campsites usually have running water and zeribahs, and a cafe-bar or restaurant. 

If prior agreements have been made with us, the drop-off at BAMAKO and/or TAMANRASSET Airports for travellers to catch their flights back home will take place. A good option if participants want to experience a little of the desert but don't have the time available to spend more than two weeks in the desert at this time.

Desert Fox will remain in the desert for another 10-12 days, as an opportunity exists for the trip to be extended for a visit to ADRAR N'AHNET massif for a few days or TAMANRASSET and its environs.