text Niger River Tours - Sail the Niger River in Mali, West Africa Saga Tours of Mali - West Africa Adventure Travel
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Sail the Niger River
a soft-adventure experience in the heart of West Africa

Sail one of Africa's great waterways — the Niger River — perhaps even all the way to the edge of the Sahara Desert and the legendary city of Timbuktu.

Every tour is private, scheduled on dates of your choice; there are no fixed-date, scheduled group departures.

Sailing tours :
11-days Niger Journey to Timbuktu 3 days sailing, 2 nights camping
11-days Mali Explorer tour 2 days sailing, 2 nights camping
12-days Mali Eco-Tour 1 day sailing, 1 night camping
14-days Mali Classic tour 1 day sailing; no camping
15-days Mali Adventure tour 3 days sailing, 2 nights camping


This is not a luxury cruise but rather an "armchair adventure" — you will discover the Niger delta landscape with its varied bird life along the shore, hippos in the river and rural villages with beautiful mosques. Your guide will be on-hand to explain all the sights you will see, and you will be able to briefly visit various village ports-of-call.

Sailing from Mopti to Timbuktu (or the reverse) is the usual itinerary; this generally takes three days of sailing, with two nights' camping on the river bank. Sailing can also begin in Segou, and terminate in Gao; this longer version would take nine sailing days, with additional days to visit Mopti and Timbuktu along the way.

NB: this soft adventure requires bush-camping along the river bank, as there are no hotels, no campgrounds.

Other sailing options include a full-day sailing excursion, or a sunset sail on the Niger River, if camping is not for you.

NB: camping is no frills, sleeping on a ground mattress in a small tent; there are no campgrounds, so no running water, no latrines. Camping in Mali is not recommended for inexperienced campers.


Overnight sailing excursions include:

  • private ground transportation from Bamako to Mopti
  • private pinnace with woven straw roof, latrine, outboard motor and crew
  • camp cook and meals while sailing
  • camping tents with ground mattresses; bring your sleeping bag
  • English-speaking guide



    • Beyond a sailing excursion, complete tour services include the above plus:

  • transfer to town upon arrival at Timbuktu's river port
  • hotel accommodations for remainder of tour
  • continuing services of your guide for remainder of tour
  • visits and touring as per your tour program (to be determined)
  • private ground transportation for the return to Bamako
  • all hotel taxes and local tourism taxes



    • Optional: airport transfer upon arrival/departure in Mali


    Join us for an unforgettable experience — sailing the Niger river through the heart of West Africa !