Ségou

Ségou is a city between Mopti and Bamako in central Mali. Located on the river it also has a fantastic market, and pottery village. Across the river there are some villages which are home to the Bozo fishermen.

Ségou is a great place to relax and unwind with it's unhurried, laid back atmosphere livening up with several places offering live music late into the night.

Transport from Bamako or Mopti is generally not difficult to arrange with any bus travelling between these two cities likely to stop in Ségou.

There are two major bus companies with terminals here as well as the main bush taxi/bus terminal about 1/2 kilometer to the southeast. Transport to other areas of the country is generally very good though it is a good idea to check the day (or several days) before you want to travel.

The accommodation at Djoliba (B.P. 140, Telephone/Fax: (+223) 2 321 572, Email: zarth@afribone.net.ml) is highly recommended with the terrace the best value in town (shared room, two toilets, hot/cold water shower, and in the cool breeze of the outside yet sheltered from rain). If you have the money the L'Auberge (Telephone: (+223) 232 01 45) next door has a swimming pool (open to residents only) and is also quite nice (if a bit expensive).

The “Grand Hotel de France” and L'Esplanade are both rather run-down and not very good value.

There are not a lot of choices for eating out though there is always the option of helping yourself to whatever is on offer from the small stalls along the streets. If you are looking for a restaurant there is only realy “Jardin de Mobasso” (just off the main square) which has a rather basic menu with daily specials or “Le Soleil de Minuit” (opposite Djoliba) which offers a bit more selection but at a bit more of a cost.

For further information, please see:

• Mali Journal - My visit in the Summer of 2004