Mali Travel Forum

Has anyone had experience with Balanzan Tours? I am planning to go to the Festial in the Desert in January 2008. Does anyone know any other good agencies? I like Saga Tours 17 day tour because they offer 2 nights in Timbuctou. However their price is prohibitive.
Any input anyone can give me is greatly appreciated. Thanx.

Hi,

I had the experience of using Balanzan tours in 1999 when they only had an agency in Segou. At that time they were very competent but that was just on local visits. I see from their web site that the boss is still the same person so perhaps things haven't changed too much.I can alsi recommend a fiend in Bamako that runs Tellem voyages - Amadou Dolo who organised our trip around parts of Mali including the Dogon country and whom I saw in BKO in January and can be highly recommended. Check out their prices as well.

Good luck

Hi there,
Just know these agencies by name; I have travelled in Mali 3 times now and these trips were organised for me by Alkaye Traore. He is a guide/pinassier, living in Mopti. He is a reliable planner and guide, fun to travel with and knows a lot about his country. He can/will organise a trip for you - just email him your travelplans and specific wishes (meals, hotels, transport to the festival, tickets etc.) and he will send you an itinerary.
You can email him at: alkayebaba@yahoo.fr
he also has a website: www.alkaye.com

Have a nice trip.

We are 2 people, a Moroccan and a Canadian, thinking of going to Mali Festival in January 10 - 12 2008 leaving from Marrakech Morocco - have 4x4 Land Cruiser looking for three others who might want to join up and share gasoil, driving etc.

Wondering if anyone can give an idea of how many days we will need to reasonably drive down from Marrakech, taking a day off here and there to explore along the Atlantic coast and take rest days, etc. to Tombuctu.

Trying to establish a date of departure and make plans.
Thanks for any interest, thoughts and advice in advance.

SP

Thanks for the URL's Kerst, I've gone to both sites. Still need to find how far,long it is from Bamaka to Timboctu though.

You might also want to go to http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/sahara-travel-forum/
Lots of good info on this site about travelling in Sahara and West Africa.

Can't believe its so hard to find information on this event though. Like they travelled in the days before guide books!

Hi all,

Just had a look and the site for the festival is up and running although no information on groups yet, and it is in French.3-day pass apparently is 115 euros. www.festival-au-desert.org

If you "google" festival du desert there is quite a lot of info to be had including tour operators that run trips out there.

Good luck

Hi,

Did you go with Balanzan Tours? I am looking at one of their tours myself, and would like to get feedback as to how well they work.

Guenther Eichhorn