About Djenne

Djenne travel offers the chance to explore an ancient city in Mali that is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Great Mosque - the largest mud brick building in the world.

Djenne Budget Travel

Djenne budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Djenne to help you plan your budget holiday in Djenne. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Djenne.

Airports

Djenne airports include:
• Senou International Airport
• Mopti Airport

Conservation

Djenne conservation is essential in a largely dry area that receives only a few rainy spells per year. In addition to this, the town along with its famous mosque forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, with many ancient sites requiring a high level of preservation.

Culture

Djenne cultures include:
• Music and dance plays a key role in modern and traditional cultures
• Food and drink are a common part of social gatherings
• Art is an important traditional form of expression
• Tribal traditions and pastimes play a key role in all cultures
• Ancient cultures and history can be seen in the architecture and ruins

Health

Djenne health info for travellers includes the following:
• The most common health risk is travellers tummy from rich foods or tap water
• Health facilities are not easily found in this area
• Pack a basic first aid kit with medication for upset stomachs, nausea and other minor ailments
• Check with your doctor about any health risks or disease outbreaks that may have occurred recently before leaving for your trip

Languages

Djenne languages include the following:
• Songhay variety called Djenné Chiini
• French
• English
• Bamana
• Jula

Malaria

While malaria in Djenne is not a risk, there is malaria risk within other destinations of Africa. Travellers who are visiting malaria-risk countries before or after travelling to Djenne should consider malaria medication.

Money

Djenne money and banking info is as follows:
• There are no banks or any financial facilities within Djenne
• It is best to be prepared and withdraw money at the airport in Bamako
• Credit cards and debit cards are not accepted either
• Cash in local currency is the only way to purchase items from the market

People

Djenne people include the following ethnic groups:
• Bozo
• Tuareg
• Dogon
• Fula Macina
• Soninke
• Sanghai
• Bambara

Phrase

Djenne local phrases in French include the following:
• Do you speak English? - Parlez-vous Anglais?
• I don't understand - Je ne comprends pas
• Hello - Bonjour
• Goodbye - Au revoir
• Thank you - Merci

Plants

As a largely dry area, Djenne plants are not found in abundance. Occasional trees and scrub, along with grasslands can be found along the floodplain surrounding the rivers, with farmland also found on the outskirts of the town.

Religion

Djenne religion includes the following:
• Islam
• Christianity
• Traditional beliefs

Safety Tips

Djenne safety tips include:
• Djenne is generally safe to visit, with very little crime in the town itself
• The northern areas of Mali are very dangerous with reports of banditry and terrorist attacks
• Avoid travel to Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal, and border areas near Mauritania, Algeria and Niger
• Be wary of con artists when visiting the ruins and other sites

Transport

Djenne local transport options include:
• Bus
• Foot
• Boat
• Taxi

Travel Books

Djenne travel books include the following:
• The Masons of Djenne (African Expressive Cultures) by
• Trevor H. J. Marchand
• Lonely Planet West Africa by Tim Bewer, Jean-Bernard Carillet, Paul Clammer and Emilie Filou
• Mali: 3rd Bradt Travel Guide by Ross Velton
• Sahara: The Extraordinary History of the World's Largest Desert by Marq de Villiers and Sheila Hirtle
• Banco: Adobe Mosques of the Inner Niger Delta (Imago Mundi series)

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Mali

What To Buy

What to buy for Djenne:
• Backpack plus a decent moneybag
• Mali guide book plus a bird guide
• First aid kit with basic supplies
• Travel kit with toilet paper, wet wipes and bottled water
• Torch with spare batteries

What To Pack

What to pack for Djenne:
• Long-sleeved clothing in neutral colours
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• Camera, batteries, film and binoculars
• Warm top for cooler months
• Sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses

When To Go

Best time to visit Djenne:
• The best months are October to February, when the weather is relatively cool
• December and January are the busiest and most crowded months
• The rainy season from July to September offers the richest vegetation with scattered showers
• March to May is the hottest time to visit, with unbearable temperatures

1 Overland tours through Djenne recommended for you

3 Empires Explored

21 days From US$ 3810

Bamako to Accra

Recent Feedback

Thanks much. I'm really tickled I discovered you folks. Again I say: "you rock!". (To shamelessly borrow your company's response, to some of our initial inquiries.)

— John C. (65) from United States

(East Africa Private Charter Trip) Steve our driver... Wow what an amazing, patient driver!!! We felt very very safe with his driving - and on such difficult roads! I couldn't beli...

— Anne M from South Africa

(East Africa Private Charter Trip) Moffat our cook was such a kind, nurturing cook! We called him our chef - or "comrade chef"! He had to deal with 2 vegetarians, 1 vegan who didn'...

— Anne M from South Africa

(East Africa Private Charter Trip) About the crew: These guys were our heroes! First, Kevin our tour leader, was confident, professional, experienced, calm, focused, collaborative...

— Anne M from South Africa

We are back from our trip! *(East Africa Private Charter Trip)* I had to write you and thank you PROFUSELY for all your help in setting up the trip and guiding us on our itinerary....

— Anne M from South Africa

I am planning to travel to Africa within the next 2 months and have reading all the complimentary comments. If it is all true I am keen to be pursuaded your way. Please tell me mo...

— Shirley Miller from United Kingdom

Re Newsletter: This article certainly got my attention and I have saved much of the content. Just to let you know that you are reaching me and that I am paying attention!!! :)

— Ruth from United States

Checked out the Overlanding Africa website the other day - what a fantastic site! Such a shame I didn't find it before I started this trip, has a great design and loads of valuabl...

— Sonya from Australia

I will definitely recommend your services!!

— Perrick from France

Thank you again for making our trip as wonderful as it was

— Rick C. from United States

We spent 4 nights at the Mandela Rhodes Hotel in Cape Town and I highly recommend it!

— Rick C. from United States

The boys and I had an absolutely fantastic time in South Africa. Your country is so beautiful, the folks there so nice and accommodating and the trip you put together for us was s...

— Rick C. from United States

I wanted to go to Africa ever since I can remember and going there last month far exceeded my expectations and then some! Louise was so quick to respond to any query I had and the ...

— Anne B (27) from Ireland

The trip was outstanding. Our two guides Albert and Sydney were superb in every way - interest flora and fauna - amazing organization and as people wonderful to meet. We got to pla...

— Tessa Z from Israel

Thank you for making my booking so easy and for the advice you gave me about my stay in Jo'burg too, it really made the entire experience so much more enjoyable. I've already recom...

— Tamsin C (21) from United Kingdom

I did have a great trip, thank you! I was satisfied with your services on such late notice. You were great and I'm just very pleased that you went the extra mile to get me on this ...

— Rannelle M. (32) from United States

…yes there is something else! Always I ask you a question I get a prompt and useful answer! This is the way I like it! You make things so much easier for me. Can I invite you for...

— Dr. Michael T. (49) from Germany

...it was "ABSOLUTELY AMAZING"... from start to end we were taken care of and along the way we made more friends.

— Jaz O (40) from United Kingdom

In regard to the trip, it was "ABSOLUTELY AMAZING", and if wasnt for your exceptional service and last minute request from myself, you got me this perfect adventure at my price and...

— Jaz O (40) from United Kingdom

I had the most amazing trip! Absolutely incredible! The crew was so good. I am on a round the world trip and Africa takes the cake so far. I miss it heaps. Thank you for all your h...

— John R (24) from Australia

Go to all feedback