• Admire the ‘Jewel of the Niger', Djenné, with the world's largest mud-brick building - the Grande Mosquée. This is one of the oldest trading towns along the Trans-Saharan caravan routes. About 5km (3 miles) away is Old Djenné, founded around 250BC; today it is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

• See how Mopti is located at the confluence of the Bani and the Niger, built on three islands joined by dykes. There is another fine mosque here. The market in the town centre, Marché des Souvenirs, and the area surrounding the port are also worth visiting.

• Wonder at the ancient villages cut into the Cliffs of Bandiagara, peopled by the Dogons, whose ancient beliefs have remained largely untouched by Islam. The spectacular villages have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

• Spot wildlife in the La Boucle de Baoule National Park, which contains an array of southern Sahelian species of animals, including giraffe, leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and hippo. 

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.