Niger and Mali

[andyridgewell]

I'm flying to North Nigeria this June to spend some time in the university at Sokoto, before heading to Niger and then Mali for about 6-8 weeks. I'll be using public transport while I'm there and I would be interested in any information on the following: getting to/from Agadez and aspects of safety when I get there, the journey from Niamey to Gao(Mali)and then on to Timbuktu and finally Timbuktu to Mopti.All information including any budget places to stay, tour guides for Air etc and the actual journeys themselves would be greatfully received. Thanks.

[hed]

Hi there Andy,

I have recently done 2 trips in teh region, the firts one was from Mopti to Ymbuktu by pinasse, i.e. Niger riverboat. This is an awesome trip, very good. I was lucky as teh Niger was very high during teh last season, actually flooded large parts, but very memorable trip. I have doen th trip by road as well, which is interestting but not spectacular. If you can organsie to get onto teh pinasse at Timbuktu harbour and go down. You will have to look after yourself food-wise etc. for 4 days or so and then you are in Mopti. When there drive out to Sevare which is teh main node, just out of Mopti, where all teh buses meet etc. Ask around for Mac's refuge. He is teh son of american missionaries that used to wok in Dogonland during the sixties and he has a very reasonable and very good yoth hostel, B&B type thing. Bets accomodation for teh best price in the whole region for sure !!! Othe trip I did, but a bit more difficult to set up for you is to drive north out of Timbuktu and to go to teh salt mines of Taodennie, is about 800 k's north of T and a very very interesting trip. You should not try this on your own though. Hope this helps, cheers, hed