The Dogon are an African ethnic group that live in the central plateau region of Mali. Isolated, they have retained a fairly traditional lifestyle. The Dogon are known for their unique architecture, their sculptures and carved wooden masks, and their mythology.

Now, according to the New York Times, the area they live in is becoming  a more popular destination for tourists looking for a unique travel experience. With the help of a local guide, you can hike between different Dogon villages, and even to the caves where they bury their dead.

However, there are a few important things that you need to be aware of before you go.  First, expect primitive accommodations, and come prepared. Second, make sure you get a knowledgeable, reputable guide! The writer for the New York Times had an excellent guide, and the trip went well.

However, in this post on Bugbog.com, the writer was not able to find a quality guide in his price range and ended up paying an alcoholic man who proved himself  “useless as either informant or interpreter.” If possible, try to get recommendations from someone who traveled to Mali previously.

You also need to obtain the proper documents before traveling to Mali. American citizens are required to have both a US passport and a Mali visa. Here’s what you need to get a Mali tourist visa:

• 2 completed Mali visa application forms
• 2 passport-sized photos of yourself
• If you are staying in a hotel, a  hotel confirmation is required.
• If you are entering on a tourist visa but staying with friends or family in Mali, you need an  invitation letter from your hosts.
• A copy of your International Certificate of Vaccination for  yellow fever.
• A  copy of your round-trip itinerary
• Your US passport

RushMyTravelVisa can help you obtain the necessary documents for your trip. We’ll research your itinerary to make sure that you have all your paperwork in order, including any necessary transit visas. Then, we’ll assist you with the applications for the visas you need, providing you with simple, easy to follow instructions that take the headache out of applying for a visa. Finally, we personally deliver your visa application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible service.

Apply for your Mali visa today!

Tags: Mali, Mali visa

This entry was posted on Friday, March 19th, 2010 at 11:20 pm and is filed under Destinations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.