Gao

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Introducing Gao

Gao, the former capital of the Songhaï Empire, is one of the most important towns of Mali’s illustrious past. Like Timbuktu, however, Gao can feel like the end of the earth, a cluster of nomadic settlements pushed onto the Niger River’s shores by the Sahara Desert that dominates to the north. Expeditions into the desert are a highlight of a visit here, as is the lively port. Apart from anything else, to say that you’ve been 350km past Timbuktu earns pretty big traveller-cachet points.

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Last updated: Feb 17, 2009

Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. Simsy avatar
    RE: Djenne or Timbuktu

    by Simsy 26 August 2011

    They are like chalk and cheese really. I enjoyed Djenne way more than Timbuktu. Its only the name and nostalgia that brings you to Tim.…
  2. kaz avatar
    RE: Mail itinerary help! Thank you! :-)

    by kaz 21 August 2011

    We took the COMANEV boat from Mopti - travelling in December - leaving in the early hours of Friday morning and arriving at Tombouctou…
  3. ToadofToadHall avatar
    RE: The Amazon River. Peru to Brazil

    by ToadofToadHall 27 July 2011

    Look up standinista on this site he knows quite a lot about some more out of the way places in Bolivia, Paraguay...etc. he may be able…

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