Mali Travel Forum

1. i will be in the dogon area for 1 to 3 weeks. i am undecided as to whether or not to use a guide.any suggestions? 2. i will be in mali, mostly the northern half for 3 months. are there any places that exchange traveler checks in that part of the country? i would hate to carry cash for such a long time.

Hi!
You need compulsorily a guide in the Dogon country!
You can bring your traveller's check with you, ok, you will change it easily in Mopti!
Contact: transmalitours@yahoo.fr or malianproducts@yahoo.fr for good guides in the dogon!
Thanks!

As rakole says, in most Dogon villages, a local guide is compulsory. Also, you will get so much more out of your trip if you do have a guide, who can explain everything to you and stop you from making any faux pas.

Hi, having been all over Mali and Burkina Faso last year and used a guide to visit the Dogon escarpment but I can confirm that is it not necessary to use a guide - though this also depends on how confident you are as you will still need to ask for guidance as you move along the base of the escarpment. The routes up and down the escarpment are especially where you would need assistance as they are very hard to find. Having spent 4 days walking the entire length of the escarpment I would definately not take a guide next time - and it is so terrific that going back is essential! There is quite a clear track that is used by motorbikes and four wheel drives that links the villages and always people about to ask - get as a good a map as you can find so you know which village to head to next. Every village has at least one campement - the most popular have several - so finding accommodation each night shouldnt be a problem - some places do have phones but getting the numbers in advance might need some super sleuth work. You would also have to negotiate a price each night. If you do want to take a guide - the guide association has a list of official rates, usually posted on noticeboards in local hotels - though we used someone from this he still wanted to charge us many times over the listed rate - in fact a day rate more than I earn here in England - what is the point of widely publishing a list of rates! Anyway, we did agree a suitable rate in the end and had a terrific trip. Envious! Best of luck.