As one of the centerpieces of West Africa, landlocked Mali has a compelling history and some legendary sites. The name Timbuktu evokes images of grand wealth at the ends of the earth. Once an extremely prosperous trading center, Timbuktu had lost most of its glory by the time European explorers reached it in the 19th century. Though the modern city itself is not spectacular the journey is worth it for the architecture and history. Above all, the chance to say that you visited Timbuktu is something. The Grand Mosque of Djenne is a masterpiece of architecture as the world’s largest mud brick building, capable of holding 5,000 people. The old cities of Djenne are also a compelling sight, with nearly 2,000 old homes still remaining. To reach both Djenne and Timbuktu, you can take a trip up the grand Niger River, along which most of Mali’s population lives. For a more cultural trip, you can hire a guide and visit the Dogon country along the Bandiagara escarpment. The Dogon have managed to maintain their culture and way of life. You can visit their villages to see this as long as proper respect is maintained.
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