Timbuktu- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Timbuktu, an ancient city in northern Mali, sits 20 km north of the Niger River and served as a key hub on Saharan trade routes. Established in the 12th century, it flourished under the Mali Empire as a center of Islamic scholarship and commerce, renowned for its salt, gold, and ivory trade. The city's golden age saw the construction of three historic mosques—Djinguereber, Sankore, and Sidi Yahya—alongside the Sankoré Madrasah, attracting scholars and manuscripts that cemented its intellectual legacy. Later ruled by the Songhai Empire and Moroccan forces, Timbuktu declined before French colonization in 1893. Today, its UNESCO-listed monuments face threats from conflict, yet preservation efforts continue. Annual festivals like Mawloud and the former Festival au Désert reflect its enduring cultural traditions.