Difference between revisions of "Mopti"

Latest revision as of 17:25, 6 August 2011

Pirogue on the Niger River

Mopti is a city in the Mopti Region in Mali, north east of the capital Bamako.

[edit] Understand

Mopti is one of the main ports in Mali, and a good gateway for many of the country's most impressive attractions such as Djenné, Timbuktu, and Dogon Country.

[edit] Get in

There are regular buses between Mopti and the nearby city of Sevare, as well as to the capital Bamako. As Sevare is on the main Road you may find it easier to travel there then catch a local bus to Mopti.

When the rivers are high, you can travel by boat to Mopti from both Timbuktu and Djenné.

Domestic flights also operate from Bamako and Timbuktu to Mopti.

[edit] Get around

The centre of Mopti is compact enough that you should be able to walk everywhere. Taxis are, however, available.

[edit][add listing] See

The River Niger at Mopti

The harbour is bustling with life. Also worth a visit is the market near the mosque in the old section of town.

The mosque itself is less interesting than others in Mali. Unless you're Muslim you're not allowed inside - but you can pay 500CFA to some local kids who will let you climb onto their roof and take panoramic photos of the city.

[edit][add listing] Do

Take a trip on a pinasse to one of the nearby Bozo villages. It should cost maximum 5,000 CFA for two hours. There is a pinasse mafia at the harbour that tries to control the pricing and asks for extraordinary prices (up to 30,000 CFA for one hour!). Avoid them.

Arrange a trip up river in a pinasse to Timbuktu.

Satimbé Travel can arrange tours to Dogon Country with private transport. Be prepared to negotiate heavily on price.

Avoid Ashraf Tours at all costs. You stand to be ripped off big time. Ashraf Tours is reliable and they do what they promise. You pay for that, ok, but otherwise you are stuck with some guides which are interested in one thing : get the most money out of the less.

Avoid acquiring guides at Bar Bozo. While the bar is a fine place for a meal and the de-facto meeting place amongst travelers, there also is a less-than-savory element which will try to engage you for trips in a boat, to Dogon Country, or any other tourist-related interest.

[edit][add listing] Buy

If you fancy it, you can buy a slab of salt from the harbour.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Mopti Harbour

• Hotel Ya Pas De Problem, off Blvd de l'Independence. Excellent restaurant on the roof of this hotel. Try the Capitaine Frit (4000CFA).  edit
• Restaurant Sigui, Blvd de l'Independence. This place has decent food, reasonable prices and a balcony with a nice view of the Niger. It is, however, frequented by many of Mopti's irritating potential guides and souvenir sellers.  edit
• Restaurant Bozo (has a good view across the harbour and serves cold beers, expect to get hassled by vendors even when you are inside.), (On the Eastern side of the port inlet, it's clearly visible on this small headland).  edit
• Bissap Café, zone commerciale (on the harbor) BP89, Mopti, ☎ 21 43 13 53 (bissap.cafe@yahoo.fr), [1]. Best place to eat... and very peacefull because only customers are allowed to get in. Little bit more expensive than others. During the touristic season there is often concerts.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Hotel Ya Pas De Problem (Y'a pas de problème), BP 16,Mopti Mali (off Blvd de l'Independence), ☎ +223 7601 07 92 (yapasdeproblemehotel@yahoo.fr), [2]. Has dormitories and private rooms at reasonable prices, as well as a swimming pool and an excellent restaurant. 4000 CFA to 25000 CFA.  edit

• Hotel le Fleuve, Rue 86. North of the city centre, this place offers decent rooms with air conditioning and hot water for 20000CFA, as well as cheap meals.  edit
• La Maison Rouge, ☎ +223 243 14 02, [3]. Very nicely decorated house. Very clean but no mosquito net. Nice garden, but no swimming pool. The restaurant is serving upper-class French food for 9000CFA. 35000CFA.  edit

[edit] Stay Safe

Mopti is full of people who want to sell you souvenirs and tours to various places, including river trips. Many are extremely persistent and will not take no for an answer - getting rid of them is something which you will get better at with time.

Ignore those who offer to act as your bodyguard during daylight. Mopti is not that dangerous!

[edit] Get out