The day:

you can make short trips around Bamako, approximately 5 km to the north, to the hills. To get there as well walk, there is also a minibus. From here you can enjoy a splendid view of the city and looking to the left there is the "Hill of Knowledge" where the University stands. At the foot of the hill there is another little known place, the Museum of Prehistory full of caves and cave paintings.

Another site to visit, again at about 5 km from the center, but on Woyowayanko are the Falls of Kourouni Yeleke. It ’s a place of extraordinary beauty and tranquility, but is highly recommended to go with someone local, with a jeep. For this reason, we can recommend, once there, the services offered by the Tourism Agency "Maya Voyages" (22366898337 / 22376124269 - Email: contactsoul@yahoo.fr) or, from here on the web (including Blog www. kreb.blog.kataweb.it). The Agency also organizes tours all over Mali, in case you decide to visit the other beautiful parts of the country.

The location is still an important place also because here is where the battle of resistance between the French colonists and the army of Samory Tourè took place and whose memory (as well as being still in the memories of all Malians) is represented by a huge monument.
You can walk along the Niger, the river port, or even travel up the river on small pinasse. You can visit “les barrages des Aigrettes�, the famous "hidden" passage on the river, because in flood season is submerged by the waters of the Niger.

Not to forget of course have the markets and workshops:
-Maison des Artisans, opposite the Grand Mosque. You will have a rather good view of the rich crafts of Mali and you can also see how to create a shape or an object in the leather. Sure the prices are not as low as "they used to be" in the villages. In local crafts you may find lower prices but they are good and, of course, treat the price!

-Market of N’Golonina towards the district of Niarièla. It ’s another very large market, it offers bogolan (traditional fabrics), sculptures, ceramics and it is very good for jewelry. It’s perhaps the most economical.

- Les Grand Marchè, entirely rebuilt after a fire, in Sudanese style. The market is developed all around and it concerns especially textiles and cloths, and if you bring a model, they will make a tailored suit in no time!

-Yaya Coulibaly in the Magnambougou district.The holder is the most famous puppeteer in Mali and has about 6,000 puppets. Consider that this art is very important in Mali, among other things, and the evening you can also see the excellent puppet shows (see later)

-Atelier Papier Mali: at Sabalibougou near the Town Hall. It is an initiative of abandoned children and widows and there can be found, in addition to bogolan, works made with natural products, writing cards, postcards etc ....

-Cattle market in Daral: it is 25 km from the center of Bamako but it’s worth going there for the atmosphere, the colors and cultures present. It takes place on Saturday morning and you can get a minibus that leaves from the Maison des Artisans.


The Evening:

Bamako is full of meeting places, bars and clubs where they are is also the possibility to listen to good music from Mali or live. Music is felt in the veins of the Africans and, in particular of Mali. Tipl for lovers of world music and the Malian one http://www.tpafrica.it (site with news, commentaries, but also music to listen to).
-National Institute of Arts: in addition to having played a crucial role in the promotion of artistic activities, preservation of traditional forms with a modern look at the expressions and, therefore, an irreplaceable role in the growth of artistic personality, it is also a meeting point for Malians and visitors with musicians, painters, sculptors, actors ....You can also stop here to pick up something fresh. The Institute is located next to the Maison des Artisans and is open every day except Sunday.

There are many companies that perform traditional dances: remember the Ballets Maliens, of Babemba and Kèlette, theater companies, and place a bit special but nice and recommended is Le Theatre de la troupe Don in the district of Sabalibougou (away from downtown, across the river). Here you can see in a nice frame, traditional dances of baptism, marriage etc. .. malinke rhythms, bobo and of course the djembe.

-Do not forget the Puppet Theatre: This has a real popular support with its typical characters such as "Yayoroba," or the legendary Callipigia. Many puppet shows are held annually in towns and villages in Mali, such as the now famous ’’Festival des masques et de Marionnettes Markal" (in the region of Segou). In Bamako, there are many puppets companies such as of Mongnon of Maoua Kona (a unique case of a woman director of the company, comedian and producer of puppet) and Yaya Coulibaly which we have already mentioned the studio.