Near Bougouni: first night in the brousse and other Mali Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

From Bamako we travelled with our truck to the south. We camped at the road side.

It was our first night in the brousse. We learned to make noise for chasing away the snakes, when we had to go to the ''open air toilet'' behind your tent during the night.

We didn't look out very well this first night and put our tent on a very small termitary. This was the first and last time we made this mistake.


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Theme: Campground
Comparison: least expensive

Directions: On our way from Bamako to the border with Cote d'Ivoire.

In 1989 was Ben's Bar the only place in Bankas, where you could camp or hire a room. Also was this the place in Bankas, where you could hire a good guide for the Dogon Country. So we did.

I liked the easygoing place of Ben's Bar. Nowadays there are more possibilities to spend the night in Bankas. So look around and inform yourself.


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Theme: Campground
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Address: Bankass
Directions: Near the centre of Bankas. Everybody knows the place.

The night before our visit to Djenne in 1989 we camped at the Bani River, just at the crossing place, where the piroques would leave.

It was Christmas Eve. And we had the most breathtaking sunset and tropical evening, you can imagine before Christmas.

From this camp-site it was very easy to take a piroque very early in the morning. In the evening we spoke allready with the boatsmen about our early departure the next morning, so we could be in time in Djenne.


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Theme: Campground
Comparison: least expensive

Address: Bani River
Directions: Near Djenne

In Kayes we stayed in the Tieba hotel south of the city centre. It is not far from the old airport. Everybody knows that old airport.

The hotel has a nice garden, where you can also stall your car. You can only stall your car inside the fences of the hotel, if it is not too high, because the entrance gate is rather low . We had problems to go in and out.

It was great to sit in the shade in the garden with a cool coke or beer after we had a very heavy and dusty ride with dust everywhere, in our clothes, hair, face, nose and ears.

Unique Qualities: Hotel Tieba has basic rooms, but they are OK with private toilet and shower. In the shady garden you can order a good meal. Who matters, that is was chicken and pommes frites again as almost at all the places where we had our dinner. It tasted great !

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 6012439
Address: Kayes
Directions: Not far from the old airstrip, south of the towncentre.