Introduction
Home - English
Home - Fran�ais
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
Travel Agencies
Tour Guides
Best Times to Visit
Visas /
WHO Cards
Gao
Trip Planner
Gao
Tourist Map
Where to Stay
& Eat
Lodging
Restaurants
& Bars
Other Info
Gao
Cultural Norms
Health & Safety
Mali in
the News
More Info? Links!
FAQs
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
About Us
What is
OMATHO?
Gao Tourist Center
Meet
the Staff
Contact Us
Located in Gao 2 Km from the city center, the Mosque of Kankou Moussa is an active archeological site. The nearly 700-year old mosque found on the edge of present-day Gao has been the site of recent archeological digs.
Kankou Moussa was a king of the Songha� Empire from 1312-1337 during the Sonni Dynasty. He undertook a great pilgrimage to Mecca taking and giving lots of gold and riches along the way. He left for his pilgrimage in 1324 and returned in 1325. His trip and the riches he bestowed along the way helped to establish relationships between the Songha� and Arabs and Egyptians. When he returned he conceived and first built a mosque in Gao that now carries his name. After completing that mosque he traveled to Timbuktu where he oversaw construction of the famous Djingarey Ber mosque, which is still an active and functioning mosque in Timbuktu today. After he constructed the Djingarey Ber mosque, he left Timbuktu for the bush and was never seen or heard from again - a mysterious ending to the life of Kankou Moussa.
Experience: Visit the Kankou Moussa Mosque
Description: Go to the Prime Meridian marker on the second paved street and follow the road towards Bourem. Site is about 2 Km on the right side of the road and is covered with UNHCR tarps
Time Required: Approximately 1/2 hour
Price: No entry fees for site; No facilities at this site, so a guide who can explain the history of the site is helpful.
Schedule: 7 days per week
NOTE: Please do not attempt to enter the mosque as it is still an active archeological dig site.
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