COMPAGNIE MALIENNE DE NAVIGATION (COMANAV)

Comanav boats sail from the end of July to January, when the water level is sufficiently high. The company has three boats, Tombouctou, Kankou Moussa and Soumaré. If you have time (speed does not exceed 14 km/h), do not hesitate to borrow these boats to discover Mali. These three-storey villages have luxury first, second and third class cabins and a bridge class. However, luxury and first class terms do not have the same value as in Europe. It is more for its authentic side that this means of transportation attracts visitors. While boats carry passengers, they are mainly used to deliver goods and are the only commercial link between many cities. The bridge class is the most alive. Between poultry, sheep and bags of rice and millet, men, sitting on mats, talk by preparing tea. Later, women cook doughnuts, aloko fries (plantain bananas), viande meat and grilled fish. The upper floors are the domain of more affluent passengers and the cockpit. A bar-restaurant sells sodas, and the server warns, using a bell, when the meal is ready. In the evening, the bar turns into a cinema. Television broadcasts the national chain. The timing of television information is very followed, and everyone goes from his comment to express his views on domestic politics or on the latest conflicts in Africa. At night, the boat continues to gently evolve between the sand benches. The bridge class turns into dormitories, while the more affluent passengers join their more luxurious cabins, although never really comfortable. In the morning, the cock of the boat awakens passengers, and believers begin their prayers. The arrival of the boat in a city is a great event. Small sellers are waiting for passengers to sell beverages, food, newspapers, dents, etc. The boats unload and recharge the goods. Bags of rice and millet descend to Timbuktu and Gao and are replaced by salt bars and dates. Goats and sheep are also increasing on the boat. A trip aboard these ships is also the best way to discover the birds of Débo Lake. Between Timbuktu and Gao, the dunes sink into the river and the hippos become more numerous.