Mali
As Chris' winter tour was cancelled after the problems in Algeria, I shall instead be in Mali for a shortish trip in December.
It's hardly a massive trip, but once we get to Timbuctou (or Gao) we will have 10 days to travel into the desert. The hope is to spend 5 or 6 days walking with camels, and 4 or 5 days driving. We won't have our own vehicle, so it will be a case of hiring a 4WD and driver.
Three questions:
1. Can anybody recommend outfits from whom to hire guides, camels, vehicle and driver?
2. Routes - the obvious walking route is all or part of the way from Timbuctou to Arouane. However, I'm only guessing at the type of desert landscape in this area. As a huge generalisation, I'm more into dunes than rock formations, but more into rock formations than 360 degree flat to every horizon (although a bit of everything is fine). Similarly for driving - from Timbuctou or Arouane (or elsewhere in northern Mali) does anybody have recommendations for the most interesting desert environment?
3. Is the very north, up to Tessalit and Taoudenni, a wise move, or does this fall into the same current security problem as southern Algeria?
Simon
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