• Explore the capital Bamako, a modern town and the educational and cultural centre of Mali. The main places of interest are the markets, the botanical gardens, the Musée National, the zoo and the craft centre at the Maison des Artisans.

• Go to Timbuktu, where the magnificent camel caravans arrive every year from the salt mines to distribute their produce. Timbuktu was the centre of a lucrative trade in salt and gold, straddling the Trans-Saharan caravan routes, as well as being a great centre of Islamic learning. Many beautiful mosques (Djingerebur, Sankore and Sidi Yahaya for example) and tombs, some dating back to the 14th century, remain.

• Another ancient city to wander round is Gao, which had its heyday in the 15th century. The mosque of Kankan Moussa, the tombs of the Askia Dynasty, and two excellent markets can be found here.

• Investigate other interesting towns such as San and Ségou, one of the largest cities in Mali known for its pottery, market and mosque.

• Trek the Bandiagara escarpment in the Dogon country, with Bandiagara, Bankass and Mopti being the main starting points for trekking trips. Guides are available and recommended; travellers should check that guides have an official identification card.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.