Festival in the desert

General Information:

For three days every January or February, people of the Sahara desert come together for this festival of traditional culture. They meet and celebrate with song, dance, poetry, and other cultural traditions.

Don't Miss:

During the day:

• The camel races (The fastest and most beautiful win prizes.)

• sword fighting and other contests

• the arts shows and presentations by local people

At night: performances by local and global musicians

What to Bring:

There are no hotels, so you'll need a sleeping bag, tent, food, and water. It is very hot in the daytime so bring lightweight clothes. However, it can be cold at night, so bring a sweater or warm jacket for the evening.

Getting There:

You'll need a truck or camel to get to the festival. It’s about two hours from the town of Timbuktu, Mali. It is also a good idea to use a local guide. This person can drive to the festival and help you during your stay.