Bandiagara and Dogon Country

The Bandiagara Escarpment, a great sandstone cliff running for some 150 kilometres across central Mali, is one of the most striking cultural landscapes in Africa, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the homeland of the Dogon people. Along and into the towering cliff face, the Dogon build their remarkable villages, granaries with pointed thatched roofs, mud houses and ancient cliff dwellings clinging to ledges above the plains, once built by the earlier Tellem. Famous for their rich cosmology, masked dances, wood carving and deep traditions, the Dogon make this a place of extraordinary cultural depth. Trekking the escarpment past villages, cliffs and sacred sites is an unforgettable journey.

What you actually see

• The escarpment - the dramatic 150-kilometre sandstone cliff.
• The Dogon villages - the striking cliffside houses and granaries.
• The cliff dwellings - the ancient Tellem dwellings on the ledges.
• The living culture - the masked dances, carving and traditions.

When to go

November to February, the cool dry season, is by far the best time for trekking the escarpment and visiting the villages, avoiding the intense heat and summer rains; the Dogon cultural calendar, including masked ceremonies, adds to the experience. The cool mornings are ideal for walking between villages.

Honest expectations

Exploring Dogon Country means multi-day trekking on foot with local guides, staying simply in villages, so it rewards those ready for an active, immersive journey rather than easy sightseeing, and visits should always respect the many sacred sites. As a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of cliff villages and extraordinary living culture, though, Bandiagara and Dogon Country are among the most remarkable places in all Africa.

Nearby

The town of Bandiagara and the wider Mopti region lie around the escarpment.