Things to do in Gao
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La Dune Rose
Gao's premier tourist attraction is a sunset trip to La Dune Rose, known locally as Koïma, a wonderful sand dune on the right bank of the Niger, visible from town. As it turns pink with the setting sun, there is magic in the air, not least because it was once believed by locals to be the home of magicians.
If you're coming here (only possible from September to February when water levels allow), consider also hiring a pirogue to drift further along the river as the dunes come alive. Upstream at Quema and Hondo (a three-hour trip) there are more stunning dunes, while you're almost guaranteed hippo sightings at Tacharan.
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Tomb of the Askia
The Tomb of the Askia, north of town, was built in 1495 by Askia Muhammad Touré, whose remains lie within. It's an amazing building and a classic of Sudanese (Sahelian) architecture, with its combination of mud-brick, wooden struts and a tapering tower. It may be possible to climb the 10m-high tomb for good views of the city and river.
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Bellàh Rôtisserie
- Gao, Mali
- Restaurants › Café
Around the Grand Marché you can get coffee and bread in the mornings, and street food in the evenings (check out the excellent local sausages). Rotisseries are found all over Gao - Bellàh Rôtisserie is worth a try.
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Patisserie Le Taubon
- Gao, Mali
- Restaurants › Bakery
A good range of snacks and lights meals are available here, including meat pockets, chicken burgers and nêmes (shredded beef in an egg roll). It's on the road to the airport.
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Le Petit Restaurant
This is a very popular place with tourists and expats, who come for the cheap and hearty lentils, liver, couscous and macaroni. Oumar, the kindly Algerian owner, is another drawcard.
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Musée du Sahel
Musée du Sahel is a wonderful museum that tells the story of the Songhaï and Tuareg people, and the prehistoric sites in the surrounding region.
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La Source du Nord
- Gao, Mali
- Restaurants › Café
You can try wigila in this place, opposite the Shell petrol station in central Gao, and they also do a good braised capitaine.
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Grand Marché
The Grand Marché and port are interesting and well worth checking out, especially on Sunday (market day), but it's always busy.
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Maison des Artisans
Five blocks east of the water tower, the Maison des Artisans has 60 artisan-owned shops and is a great place to browse.
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Restaurant Koundji do a la Belle
Serves up the standard fare of brochette and rice and sauce, plus some other Malian specialities by prior arrangement.
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Restaurant de l'Amitié
Does good rice and steak and chicken dishes and they move up a gear come tourist season.
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Club Koukia
- Gao, Mali
- Entertainment › Bar
Club Koukia, behind Hôtel Atlantide, is a popular bar-cum-nightclub.
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