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CULTURAL TOURS 2009/10

Mali's Festival in the Desert, a music and culture festival extravaganza is held once a year.

They are 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. 

MALI Timbouctou (Essekane) Music Festival (longer duration)

Approx. itinery

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.

Trip Information

The shorter-stay (up to 10 days) Mali cultural tours cater for those who mostly wish to fly out to either Timbukto or Bamako Airports, for pick-up (subject to prior arrangement).  We will spend a night at a hotel/equipped campsite, then drive to Essekane and the festival. Accommodation is in own, or hired tents. Most people wish to make their own flight details from UK/Europe to Mali, and these tours are ideal for ‘first-timers; who want to experience a little of the desert culture, but without obligations to travel for longer and over a longer time period

This trip either begins in Algeria, where we collect our Algerian guide/s, or in Timbukto (with local Mali guides).  Most popular is meeting our Mali guide/s in Timbukto (the trip is shorter and we get there sooner!).

The trip from Algeria is normally scheduled to take up to 21 days (a convoy of 2-3 vehicles and their occupants), and although the ultimate goal is the music festival, it is a rare opportunity to really experience the desert. This is suited to the serious adventurer amongst us who may wish to bring their own prepped 4x4.

The beauty of any of our tours (currently Libya, Algeria and Mali) is that they can be extended, and people have the choice of joining the tour at a number of points along the route. 

We are prepared to pick up from most regional airports in Algeria or Mali, and those larger towns or cities further afield (2-4 days drive away) for the longer tours (up to 21 days) and thus will stay for at least one night in a quality hotel and/or equipped campsites for our evening meal and an overnight stop before our early morning rise to continue to Mali and the festival.

MALI Timbouctou (Essekane) Music Festival (shorter duration)

The shorter-stay (up to 10 days) Mali cultural tours cater for those who mostly wish to fly out to either Timbukto or Bamako Airports, for pick-up (subject to prior arrangement).  We will spend a night at a hotel/equipped campsite, then drive to Essekane and the festival. Accommodation is in own, or hired tents. Most people wish to make their own flight details from UK/Europe to Mali, and these tours are ideal for ‘first-timers; who want to experience a little of the desert culture, but without obligations to travel for longer and over a longer time period.

There are a number of exploratory and pioneering tours available from 2009.  These are still being finalised, and will appear as linked documents.

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