Timbuktu Hotels

• sachara
• Reviews: 3880

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Front seat campsite in Essakane

During the Fesitval au Desert in Essakane in 2009 we had our camp at the first seat opposite the mainstage. The camp was just behind the circular dune ridge, used as gallery during the performances at the mainstage (picture 1). At the other side of the camp we had view at the white sanddunes and empty desert (picture 2). There was a lot of space in the dunes, so our neigbours had their bivouac rather far (picture 4).

Our camp, arranged by the Bamako based tour agency Cheche tours, has their own four desert toilets just behind our camp. A basic but perfect solution: oil drums with a hole.
Because there was a lack of small tents, I had the chance to sleep in one of the brown camelskin nomad tents (picture 1, 2 & 5'

During the nights is was chilly in both types of tents. In the burning sun during the day it was too hot to rest in the small tents, but the nomad tents were very comfortable during the day due to the thick camel skin (picture 5).

• Opinion of Price: N/A
• Related to: Desert, Camping, Festivals
• Written February 2, 2009

Our camp and the mainstage of the festival.

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• sachara
• Reviews: 3880

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Hotel Colombe: centrally located

There are 3 Hotels Colombe, nr. 1, 2 and 3, all at the same road. I stayed at the first entering Timbuktu from the south. The rooms with bathroom were ok. The hotel has an innercourt with garden and swimmingpool. Here you can also take you breakfast, lunch or dinner. When we came back from three days in the desert, we took our lunch here and could use the warm showers of the pool for refreshing.

At the first floor is also a restaurant. It has a nice terrace overlooking the street and a part of the old city of Timbuktu. In the Colombe 3, almost nextdoor is a cybercafé. When I went there druing lunchtime, nobody was there. They sent me to the library opposite the Grand Mosque nearby.

• Opinion of Price: N/A
• Written January 30, 2009

Hotel Colombe

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• amihoe
• Reviews: 1

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Sahara Passion: Great Place to get the local feel

Sahara Passion is nothing fancy in the sence of western comforts but it has the most freindly helpfull people of all the hotels in Timbuktu. They do not allow 'guides' husstles etc in to bother you and will give you all the information you could ask for about the town and culture for free. They can arrange authentic trips into the desert and onward travel. They offer breakfast and local style meals and have bottled water avalibale.

They are on the edge of the desert and the view is phenominal. salt caravans arriving, dune just a few steps away sunsets and rises from the terrace are un matched. tell stories around the campfire best budget option in town. and the public transport to go back to mopti will pick up up at the door.

• Opinion of Price: least expensive
• Related to: Backpacking, Study Abroad, Budget Travel
• Written December 4, 2008

Shara Passion

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• flynboxes
• Reviews: 563

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Campement Hotel Bouctou: One of a few

This place has rooms with aircon ( I recomend during the dry season), rooms with fans (cheaper rate) an a camping site (cheapest). You choice of places to stay in Timbuktu is rather limited and this is one place that tends to catch it share of tourists and touts. If you are packing around this is also a good place to find a 4x4 headed back to Mopti or somewhere else. It has a kitchen so if you want to eat you can order in advance and eat outside on the patio which overlooks the dunes. The owners/manager are nice folks and will help you out if you can. I needed breakfast at 05:30 prior to catching a flight to Bamako and they sent a runner out for some fresh bread when I woke up.

There are about 5 aircon rooms in the main building but get one as far away from the bar as possible as the TV in the lounge tends to stay on till late at night. The bar is not much to look at but they do have comfortable sofas to sit in and enjoy a Castle beer or soda after spending the day trecking. The cheaper rooms with shared WC and fans are in a separate two story building to the right of the main hotel. Food is so so...best to head into town for a local meal.

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Related to: Arts and Culture, Historical Travel, Backpacking
• Written November 8, 2008

The front of the hotel from the street

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• SirRichard
• Reviews: 3639

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Hotel La Colombe

This is one of the most popular medium range hotels here. Most groups come here and it's got a good reputation. Nevertheless, I didn't sleep here, and my only experience was at the restaurant. I tied to have lunch here once. Came in, it was empty, so I ordered a salade and a couscous. plus a water bottle. The waiter brought me the bottle of water and I kept waiting for the salade about 40-50 minuts. After that, I tried to look for a waiter to complain, but there was no sign of anyone in the restaurant. Fed up of this situation I went downstairs, paid my bottle of water in reception and moved to another restaurant, where I had a normal lunch.

There are 2 buildings, not far from one another, Colombe 1 and Colombe 2.

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Related to: Backpacking, Road Trip, Budget Travel
• Written September 28, 2008

The Colombe 1

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• SirRichard
• Reviews: 3639

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Hotel Bouctou

Timbuktu hasn't got a lot of hotels to choose, in spite of its legendary name amongst travellers. One of the best medium-range places is the Bouctou Hotel, in the limits of the desert. They have 2 buildings, well decorated tough simple including breakfast, and the staff is really friendly. They can organise trips with the touaregs and trips to the Niger river villages too.
About 20 euros for a room with fan.

• Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
• Related to: Budget Travel, Road Trip, Backpacking
• Written September 28, 2008

My room at the Bouctou Hotel

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• jantichm
• Reviews: 198

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• zrim
• Reviews: 1665

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Hotel Azalia: A Dusty Cell

There is not much choice in lodging in Timbuktu. There is the dirty little hovel known as Hotel Azalia and there is the other one which is much worse.

You get a bed (of sorts) and a stone floor. A tiny slat of a window in the corner. No chairs, dressers or other comforts of any kind.

And you must pray for a cool night, because even if you happen to get a room with a working air conditioner, it is most likely that the electrical power will not be on.

• Opinion of Price: most expensive
• Related to: Desert
• Written May 20, 2005

the full extent of the room

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• F_Meignant
• Reviews: 147

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Hôtel La Colombe: Where to sleep...?

Nothing really special... Large rooms with bathroom and toilets. Old, simple, clean.
Several other hotels in Timbuktu, some of them very expensive.

Well situated in the main street.
Pleasant terrace at first floor.

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Related to: Desert
• Written October 20, 2003

H��tel La Colombe

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