Bandiagara

Overview

This dusty village is the gateway to the Bandiagara Escarpment a rocky cliff 125 mi/200 km long that provides shelter to the fascinating Dogon people. The Dogon built a string of villages along the ridge and up high into the face of the cliff that can be seen on one-to eight-day hikes (guides are recommended). Because of the difficulty in getting to the region few tourists bother to go there so the Dogons' culture with its unique religious ceremonies fabulous masks and hypnotic dances has changed little over the centuries.

History