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.

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)

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