There is btw another festival, I think worth going.
http://www.festivalsegou.org/
They had Ali Farka Toure there last year
Segou is between Bamako and Timbouktou, starting in February. So Timbouktou first and later to Segou. I am currently in Morocco will head to Mali well in advance in Oktober or so. so Mauritania in September. But then there is this Coup d'etat right now...
Just wanted to post this as it is the same route, and the same festival we are going to.

Rgds Manfred
www.thisfabtrek.com

[This message has been edited by manfredschweda (edited 04 August 2005).]