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Bamako is a bustling, energetic city in Mali located on the Niger River. Bamako is the capital of Mali, and is the largest city in the country. Bamako offers great restaurants, hotels and nightlife, a diverse music scene, and one of the best museums ...
Categories: Bamako
Bandiagara is located in Mali, and is known for its Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons). This is a vast landscape of tablelands, plains and gorges that was once inhabited by the Dogno, who built their houses on the cliff faces to protect from in...
Categories: Bandiagara
This nature reserve located 80 mi/130 km northwest of Bamako is home to lions, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, antelope and leopards. It is open December-May.
Categories: Baoule National Park
This Gulf of Aden seaport, the major town in the north, really doesn't have much of interest for visitors. If you're there, do note the harbor—originally built for vessels of the Soviet Navy, it was an important U.S. Navy base from the late 1970s to ...
Categories: Berbera
Set on the coast, this town has interesting Arabian architecture. 90 mi/145 km southwest of Mogadishu.
Categories: Brava
Categories: Coral Bay
Categories: Crown Bay St. Thomas
Founded in 1250 on the Bani River, Djenne (pronounced jen-AY) claims to be the oldest city in West Africa. In its day, it was as important as Timbuktu. Reflective of its past glory is the Great Mosque, which was built in the early 20th century on the...
Categories: Djenne
Categories: Druif Bay
Frenchtown, St. Thomas, was established many years ago by a group of French-speaking immigrants from the Caribbean island of St. Barthelemy, and this fishing village on the western edge of Charlotte Amalie has retained its French flair to this day. O...
Categories: Frenchtown
Although it used to be one of the region's most important cities and capital of the once mighty Songhai Empire, today's Gao, located 575 mi/925 km northeast of Bamako, attracts few tourists. The town was destroyed by Moroccan invaders in 1591 and, de...
Categories: Gao Mali
Gelib, on the Uebi Giuba River, lies near an area with many wild animals (monkeys, gazelles and numerous birds). Though there are currently no national parks in Somalia, the area south of Gelib is expected to one day become the Lag Badana National Pa...
Categories: Gelib
If you didn't get to see any salt caravans in Timbuktu, stop for a day in Goundam, located 50 mi/80 km to the southwest of that city. The caravans pass through more frequently, though you'll find there isn't much to do in between. If you have already...
Categories: Goundam
This city is in a self-declared independent area called Somaliland. Of interest mainly for its tribal culture, Hergeisa boasted many tourist facilities before the country's collapse. Among them were a museum, a theater, restaurants, hotels and banks....
Categories: Hergeisa
The lovely village of Hombori sits surrounded by rocky outcroppings. Notably different from most West African towns because of its stone houses, Hombori is built on the slopes of Hombori Tondo, a 3,800-ft/1,150-m mesa 450 mi/725 km northeast of Bamak...
Categories: Hombori
Administrative capital of the scenic western part of Mali, this town on the Senegal River is a regional trading center. Kayes' three markets offer a variety of goods from Tuareg, Fulani and Moorish traders. The downside is that Kayes is Africa's hott...
Categories: Kayes
Categories: Kenieba
This coastal city once had a nice zoo. Fighting was particularly heavy in this area in 1992, the animals were eaten, and little of anything remains standing. 250 mi/400 km southwest of Mogadishu.
Categories: Kismayu
Categories: Leinster Bay
Categories: Magens Bay
This banana port and Arabian town (pop. 189,000) has interesting architecture. Game animals were once seen in the surrounding countryside, but no longer. 50 mi/80 km southwest of Mogadishu.
Categories: Merca
Though efforts are being made to maintain peace, Mogadishu (pop. 1,257,000) remains divided among hostile clans. At one time Somalia's capital and largest city merited a two-day visit. Mogadishu has suffered extensive damage since then—the Italian co...
Categories: Mogadishu
A city spread over three islands, Mopti sits at the junction of the Niger River and the Bani River, almost halfway between Timbuktu and Bamako. The stronghold of the Fulani tribe, Mopti is an interesting market town where various tribes go to trade f...
Categories: Mopti
Categories: Nara Mali
This arid region was once a rich, fertile valley, but soil erosion has left it somewhat desolate. Overland travel is difficult during the rainy season, when roads sometimes become impassable even for four-wheel-drive vehicles. War and drought have d...
Categories: Nogal Valley
Most visitors go to Red Hook, St. Thomas, to board the ferry to St. John, but it's definitely worth a look around at some of the little shops, or if only to daydream about the beautiful yachts at anchor. There are a few shops selling items you may no...
Categories: Red Hook
Segou, the main city of the Bambara tribe, is near the remains of Mbella, the ancient Bambara capital. Segou is a nice place to stop and catch your breath after the dust and congestion of Bamako: It's a calm, tree-lined city with more than its share ...
Categories: Segou
Situated 180 mi/290 km southeast of Bamako in the country's agricultural region, Sikasso is not interesting enough to make the journey there worthwhile. Only stop by if you are on your way to or from Burkina Faso or Cote d'Ivoire.
Categories: Sikasso
Synonymous with the ends of the earth, Timbuktu gained its reputation as a city of mystery because no European ever saw it and returned to tell the tale until 1828. A former world center of Islamic learning and culture, this small, remote town made f...
Categories: Timbuktu
Categories: Tirelli
Categories: Trunk Bay
Categories: Yacht Haven Marina