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What to Do in Gao
Sites & Festivals
Potential Circuits
Desert Camel Treks
Niger River Trips
Great Spots Near Gao

Learn About Gao
History & People
Gao Today
Gao Fast Facts

What Will My Vacation Look Like? Visit the On-line Gao Photo Gallery.

Planning Your Trip
Getting to Gao
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Other Info
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More Info?  Links!
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Other Great Places to Visit in Mali
Timbuktu
Dogon Country
Mopti
Djenn� Mud Mosque
Bamako & S�gou

Learn About Mali
History & People
Mali Today
Mali Fast Facts

Mali Photo Gallery

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The African market - a ubiquitous but nonetheless intriguing aspect of any visit to Mali.  Gao's markets, held daily but with greater activity in the mornings, are filled with many items that will surprise the visitor.  Check out the fish area to see the many species caught daily in the Niger River.  Check out the meat market to see if they're selling any highly-coveted camel meat.  Check out the veggie pavillion where a smorgasbord of fruits and vegetables might surprise a visitor, who wonders exactly what can be grown in the desert.

Or, maybe you'd like to see history in action with the selling of salt mined directly out of the Sahara hundreds of miles to the north of Gao.  This activity (pictured above) has been going on virtually unchanged for well over 1000 years in Gao.  Some visitors get into the spirit of Gao by purchasing fabric in the March� Washington and then having tailors create a local outfit...don't forget the turban.

Experience:  Visit the markets of Gao

Description:  Lose yourself in the bustling markets of Gao, which are spread throughout most of downtown - fruits, veggies, fish, meat, turbans, fabric, Saharan salt - it's all here!

Time Required: Approximately 3 hours

Price:  No entry fees for site.  Guide could be helpful but wandering around and exploring is fun as well

Schedule: Open 7 days per week.  Best visited in the morning.  Friday and Saturday mornings are especially busy. 

Important Note: Please be respectful of Malians by requesting to take photographs before taking them.  Some Malians do not like to have their pictures taken.

What to Do in Gao

The Pink Dune

Tomb of the Askias

Maison des Artisans

Museum of the Sahel

Gao Markets

The Village of Tchintchinom�

Archeological Site -  San�ye /  Cemetery

Prime Meridian Marker

The Hippos of Tasharan

Wabaria Animal Market

Djebok Animal Market

Archeological Site -  Kankou Moussa Mosque

Gounzour�y

Festival of
Anderamboukane

Potential Circuits

Sahara Desert Camel Treks

Niger River Trips

Other Great Spots to Visit Near Gao