To the south of the Sahara Desert lie the three former French Colonies of Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin. The unpredictable and often primitive conditions of this region entice travellers and the West African experience contrasts cultural vibrancy with a rugged landscape.

Benin, home to the former Slave Coast, remains culturally distinct despite its increasing popularity as a tourist destination and many traditional practices like Voodoo are still celebrated.
Burkina Faso "Land of the Incorruptable" is famed for its post-independence history of bloody coups, excellent beer, Aladdin's Cave markets and its beautiful French style capital, Ougadougou.
Mali is famed for the mythical city of Timbuktu, its rich history, and outdoor adventures where you can go sailing on the River Niger, head into the desert or go trekking in spectacular Dogon Country.

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Locations Essential cities and towns of the region >>>> TV Shows Get the lowdown on the TV show: Globe Trekker: West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali		Historic Sites The Grand Mosque of Djenne - the largest mud-brick building in the world. A city of mythic legend and ancient mosques - Timbuktu The ghosts of the past are ever present in Ouidah, once the centre of the great slave trade Beaches Colonial luxury with an ocean view in Ouidah, Benin
Food Peanuts with everything - an overview of West African food		Treks Trekking the spectacular Dogon Escapement in Mali
Culture Delving behind the cinema myths to discover the mysteries of Voodoo		Shopping The World's largest Fetish Market in Benin Many unique foods and colourful tribal inhabitants to see at the Gorom Gorom Market
Festivals Fetes Des Masques in Mali, a celebration for the dead and good harvest