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

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

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Other Great Places to Visit in Mali
Timbuktu
Dogon Country
Mopti
Djenn� Mud Mosque
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Learn About Mali
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By the way, we're quite sure that you'll get a better picture than this one!  We didn't have time for a closer look.

What could improve a boat ride on the Niger River more than spotting a family of hippos?  Although Mali is not a safari destination in the way that other African countries are, if you're here, why not check out our resident hippos?

Hippos shy away from Gao, since it's so busy, but just travel by boat 25 Km from Gao (an easy morning excursion) to the area near Tasharan or a bit further to Hawsa Fulan, and you're guaranteed to see hippos enjoying their natural habitat.  If you're lucky, maybe you'll spot a caiman or even a rare West African manatee.

This excursion can be easily combined with an afternoon visit to the Dune Rose for a great full day on the Niger River.

Experience:  Visit the Hippos of Tasharan

Description:  Take in the beauty of the Niger River with a quiet two-hour cruise south until you encounter the hippos of Tasharan.

Time Required: Approximately 5 hours

Price:  Piroque or pinasse rental (price negotiable), guide helpful but not necessary.

Schedule: 7 days per week.  Best visited early morning or in the late afternoon.

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