The ancient Malian town of Timbuktu is located at the northern most point the Niger River. Timbuktu grew to great wealth because of its key role in trans-Saharan trade in gold, ivory, salt and other goods by the Tuareg, Mandé and Fulani merchants, transferring goods from caravans coming from the Islamic north to boats on the Niger. Travelers to Timbuktu can visit the tree great mosques: the 15th century Quranic Sankore University and Mosque, the pyramid shaped Dijnguereber Mosque and the Sidi Yahya Mosque. .

Djenné is a small historical city located in the Niger Inland Delta of central Mali, some 450km northeast of Bamako. In the past, Djenné was a centre of trade and learning, and has been conquered a number of times since its founding. Situated on the Niger and Bani Rivers, Djenné is one of Mali’s major highlights. Declared a World Heritage Ste in 1988, the city has taken great care to preserve its unique mud architecture, including its world-famous mud mosque.

Dogon country is cradled by the bend of the Niger River, spreading outward from the Niger's shores to the heart of the Seno Gondo plain. Thanks to its splendid cliffs, unique architecture, and very rich heritage and culture, Dogon is one of the highlights of any adventure tour to Mali, and indeed one of the highlights of a West African holiday. Dogon Country stretches 200 km along the Bandiagara escarpment. Known for its cliffs, the area is actually comprised of alternating sandstone and sandy earth plateau, the Seno plain, comprised mainly of sandy earth, and cliffs 250 -1155 metres high. The area is composed of three distinct topographical regions respectively, the plain, the cliffs, and the plateau.

Located roughly halfway between Bamako and Timbuktu, and 60 km from Dogon Country, Mopti is an active river port town popular with travellers for its beautiful landscape and small fishing villages. It also acts as a convenient departure or arrival point for adventurous Niger River cruises aboard local pinasse motorised boats. Built on three islands connected by dikes, at the meeting of the Bani and Niger rivers, Mopti is Mali’s major route intersection.