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
Everyone likes different things and experiences, but these are just some examples of the most popular things to do during vacations to Mali and Gao.
I've only got one day in Gao...head out around 8am to the Tomb of the Askias for a tour and visit, followed by a photo at the Prime Meridian Marker, followed by an hour-long visit to the markets of Gao, followed by a late morning visit to the Maison des Artisans....have lunch and allow the hot early-afternoon to pass...then at 3pm visit the Museum of the Sahel for 45 minutes...then walk to the waterfront and depart for the Pink Dune by 4pm....visit the Pink Dune then return to Gao for dinner and a cold drink. Alternatively, if it happens to be a Tuesday, head to the Wabaria animal market first thing in the morning and adjust the schedule by skipping the market visit, which you can pass through on your way to the Dune Rose.
I've got two days in Gao...
Day 1 - Head out to the Tomb of the Askias for a tour and visit,
then take a photo at the Prime Meridian Marker followed by a two-hour visit
through the markets of Gao...lunch and relax during the heat of the day...leave
for the Pink Dune around 3 pm to have more time at the top before returning to Gao for the evening.
Day 2 - Choose the morning adventure of your choice - Mondays
Djebok Animal Market stopping by San�ye on the way with a camel ride at
Djebok, Tuesdays Wabaria Animal Market with a camel ride, or any day Hippos
of Tasharan...lunch and relax...visit the Museum of the Sahel at 3pm
followed by a visit to the Maison des Artisans.
I've got three days in Gao...
Follow the "two-day itinerary" listed above and consider embarking on two of the day-two adventures (Djeboek, Wabaria, Hippos) or additionally, consider a longer Niger River cruise north of the Pink Dune where the dunes continue and the scenery is spectacular. It is also possible to visit nice villages like Tondibi or Bourem further north.
I've got a week in Gao...
Follow the "three-day itinerary" listed above plus add on either an overland trip to Timbuktu or a Niger River cruise to Timbuktu. Alternatively, add on a Dogon Country trek.
I've got 10 full days in Mali...
With 10 days in Mali, a tourist could reasonably expect to visit Djenn�, complete a Dogon Country trek, and visit Gao with visits to Hombori and Douenza along the way.
Or with 10 days in Mali, a tourist could reasonably expect to visit Djenn� and complete a Niger River cruise from Mopti to Gao including visiting Timbuktu along the way.
I've got two weeks in Mali...
With two weeks in Mali, a tourist could reasonably expect to visit Djenn�, complete a Dogon Country trek, and complete a Niger River cruise from Mopti to Gao including visiting Timbuktu.
Just remember...any circuit that you take will be able to fit in more activities with private 4x4 transport and fewer activities by using public transportation. The sample circuits above assume private 4x4 rental. Also, some Gao guides have sample circuits on their web pages...and most tour operators, like Point-Afrique, have popular, all-inclusive tourist packages.
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