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"I shall always be grateful for my trip. It was probably the best experience of my life, and changed the way I view myself and the world. I relive parts of that trip every day and probably always will. It was a magical experience and I thank Songlines for making it possible." Sherry Smith on the Songlines Music Travel trip to Mali in January 2010.

Bamako, Ségou and
the Festival on the Niger*

Mali 11 days
February 9-19 2013 (ex-London) or

Mali 10 days
February 9-18 2013 (ex-Bamako)

* This trip will run subject to advice from the FCO

Economically Mali may be one of the poorest countries in Africa, but musically it's one of the richest on earth. The names of Mali's biggest stars - Ali Farka Touré, Salif Keita, Oumou Sangaré and the Rail Band - will be familiar to anyone with an interest in African music. On this trip we'll visit the capital Bamako and further along the Niger, the charming town of Ségou as it celebrates the Festival on the Niger, one of the best festivals in West Africa.

Segou Festival on the Niger Mali

Photo: Damian Rafferty, www.flyglobalmusic.com

Bamako has a rich music scene - and you'll get a good flavour of the clubs and nightlife on this trip, as well as a taste of music in rural West Africa, which is a fantastic experience in itself. Mali's rich rural traditions are the source from which the popular urban scene in the capital draws. In Bamako, there are some amazing clubs, but the best music isn't always easy to find - you need to know where to go and when.

We can also visit djembé and kora makers - some of the best in West Africa - to see the skills that go into making the instruments. We'll hear great singers and instrumentalists on the distinctive instruments of Malian music - the kora (a sublime creation of gourd, cow-skin and fishing line), balafon (traditional xylophone) and djembé drum.

This is a privileged music opportunity and one that no fan of African music should miss. Of course, visitors on this trip must understand that musicians may be away on tour and that the music scene changes on a month by month basis. Some things may be impossible to arrange, but usually something surprising turns up to make up for it. If you are prepared to be flexible, you will not be disappointed.

All Songlines Music Travellers will receive an information sheet about the local music, plus recommended recordings and DVDs.

* This trip will run subject to advice from the FCO

Mali Music Festival Itinerary

Day 1 Sat

For those flying out of the UK, we depart London in the afternoon arriving in Bamako late in the evening.

Day 2 Sun

This morning our Songlines Music Travel leader will be meeting you for a late breakfast. The morning is free to have a rest, a wander or a swim. After a break for lunch a city tour will help us get our bearings. In the evening, after dinner, we head for the clubs to enjoy Sunday night in Bamako.

Day 3 Mon

A day in Bamako. In the morning we can explore the central market and after a break for lunch we visit Toumani Diabaté’s kora workshop and a place where they make djembé drums - essential in West African music.

Day 4 Tues

Today we drive out of Bamako. After an hour or so, we reach Sibi, an important location in the history of the Mande Empire. Against a backdrop of spectacular rock formations we learn about the history of Sunjata Keita's Mandé Empire in the 13th century. The story of the Koumanjan battle will be told by one of our 'griot' friends - and it is still the inspiration for much of today’s music. We'll have time to get some lunch in Sibi. We return to Bamako for dinner in the evening.

Day 5 Wed

After breakfast we visit the National Museum of Mali and the Modern Arts Conservatory. In the afternoon we'll have a chance to learn first-hand about Mali and its music through a workshop, seminar or hands-on experience.

Day 6 Thurs

Today we set off up-country to Ségou, on the banks of the Niger. It's the ancestral home of the great ngoni player Bassekou Kouyaté. After a break for lunch there'll be time to take an optional boat trip on the Niger to a pottery making village and visit Old Ségou where Biton Coulibaly founded the town in the 17th century.

Days 7 & 8 Fri & Sat

We have two days in Ségou to enjoy the Festival on the Niger, fast becoming one of the most exciting events on the West African music scene. Many of Mali's top artists perform here and there’s also an emphasis on the regional puppet traditions and bogolan cloth-making and handicrafts. We can have a go at the bogolan mud-cloth technique for ourselves. It's a thrilling experience mixing with the locals and enjoying this very special atmosphere in Ségou.

Day 9 Sun

We drive back to Bamako for a final night in the city. If you are returning to the UK or Europe, you'll check into the hotel and, if you wish, we can probably catch more music in Bamako in the evening.