Walking along La Falaise

Rising gently from the plains of the Inner Niger Delta and then dropping hundreds of metres in an impressive rock face, the region of the Falaise de Bandiagara has a really spectacular landscape. Combine this with the fascinating Dogon culture and you have one of West Africas most impressive – and most touristy (though not this year…) – regions.

This is great trekking territory so I spent three days hiking up and down the Falaise. My original plan had been to spend a week in the northern part of the Dogon country but as my visa had almost expired I settled for a shorter option in the more easily accessible southern part. And I didn’t regret it!

Enjoying the view on the spectacular rock formations...

... which culminate in a vertical cliff rising from the plain.

Between the rocks are small fields...

... and beautiful Dogon villages...

... with interesting round granaries and traditional pharmacies that look like mud-built shelves.

On display in the villages are locally made textiles...

... and the trophies of successful hunters.