About Us – Satimbe Travel

professional team

Meet Our Travel Enthusiasts

Our tours and expeditions are organized in everyday African environments, where you can meet indigenous populations and various tribes.

Issa Ballo

Founder and lead tour operator

Hamadou Ouologuem “China”

Tour Leader

Amadou Sow

Guide & assistant

Ibrahim Maïga

Driver

Koigouma Ballo

Assistant & driver

Abdoulaye Maïga

Driver

Over 30 years of experience in West Africa
Deep local roots and regional expertise
Multilingual guides (English, French & local languages)

Personalized itineraries for every traveler
Trusted by TV crews, NGOs, and academic teams
Comfort-focused logistics with air-conditioned 4x4 vehicles

testimonials

What People Say About Our Tours

At Satimbe Travel, our guests are at the heart of everything we do. We create unforgettable journeys with care, authenticity, and a deep passion for West Africa.

"Satimbe Travel gave us an unforgettable journey through West Africa. The guides’ knowledge was outstanding"

Maria G.

“Issa and his team made our trip seamless, from airport pickup to navigating local customs. Highly recommended!”

John D.

“We felt completely safe and cared for during our trip. The guides knew everything—from history to hidden spots.”

Elena M.

“This was more than a tour—it was a personal connection to the people and culture. I’ll be back again!”

Paul T.

“The experience changed my life”

Anna R.

“Unmatched hospitality and breathtaking sites”

Chris L.

We show around west africa

Introducing Favourite Tour sights

Mopti the Venice of Mali

Mopti is a captivating city located in the heart of Mali, where the Niger and Bani rivers meet, a melting pot of cultures, traditions, and history.

Djenné, the largest mosque

The world's largest mosque, built of sun-dried mud bricks, is a stunning site and the greatest achievement of Sudano-Sahelian architecture.

Bamako Artisanal Market

A vibrant marketplace showcasing Mali’s finest handicrafts, from leather goods and textiles to wooden sculptures and traditional jewelry.

Road to Timbuktu - Douentza Stop

Discover how local artisans creatively repurpose scrap materials into unique artworks, furniture, and household items in this eco-friendly tour.

Gourma Market Architecture

Explore a fascinating open-air market where artisans craft intricate wooden doors, metalwork, and traditional Sahelian architectural elements.

The Old Colonial District

Step back in time with a walk through colonial-era buildings, where French architecture blends with local styles in a fascinating historical setting.

Dogon Togouna - Justice House

A stunning natural rock arch steeped in Manding mythology, offering breathtaking views and a glimpse into the region’s rich oral traditions.

The Mosque and Royal Palace of Ségou Koro

Visit the historic capital of the Bambara Kingdom, home to an ancient mud-brick mosque and a royal palace rich in heritage.

The Dogon Country

Discover the extraordinary cliffside villages of the Dogon people, famous for their unique architecture, rich traditions, and stunning rock formations.

Timbuktu

The legendary city of gold, once a center of Islamic learning, with ancient manuscripts, historic mosques, and a mystical desert atmosphere.

Lomé Fetish Market

A creative hub where you can watch skilled artisans craft bronze sculptures, leather goods, jewelry, and traditional African masks.

Tièbele

A beautifully painted Kassena village where traditional mud houses are adorned with intricate geometric patterns, offering a glimpse into local artistry.

The Colonial Station

A well-preserved relic of Burkina Faso’s colonial past, this railway station played a key role in trade and transport across the region.

The Central Market of Bobo Dioulasso

A sensory feast of vibrant colors and rich aromas, where traders sell everything from fresh produce to textiles and crafts.

The Old Mosque of Bobo

A masterpiece of Sudanese architecture, this centuries-old mosque is a spiritual and cultural symbol of Bobo Dioulasso’s heritage.

Sudanese style house with colonial influence

A historic district blending traditional Sudanese-style homes with colonial influences, offering a rich insight into the city’s cultural evolution.

The Domes of Fabedougou

Eroded over millions of years, these fascinating rock formations resemble giant domes, creating a breathtaking natural landscape.

Tiébélé - Land of the Kassena

A journey through the homeland of the Lobi people, known for their strong warrior heritage, distinctive clay houses, and animist traditions.

Dantokpa Big Walk

Stroll through West Africa’s largest market, a lively maze of stalls selling textiles, spices, crafts, and traditional herbal remedies.

Ouidah Vodou Sanctuary

A sacred site dedicated to Vodou traditions, featuring shrines, symbolic statues, and rituals that showcase Benin’s spiritual heritage.

The Slave Route

A haunting 4-km path leading from Ouidah to the coast, retracing the steps of enslaved Africans before their forced journey overseas.

Ouidah Historical Museum

Housed in an old Portuguese fort, this museum tells the powerful story of Benin’s history, slavery, and Vodou traditions.

The Dassa Zoume Hill

A scenic hill dotted with caves and shrines, known for its spiritual significance and panoramic views of Benin’s lush landscapes.

Tamberma Tatas

Unique fortress-style mud houses built by the Tamberma people, a UNESCO site reflecting their fascinating defensive architecture.

Tata Somba

Traditional fortress-like mud houses built by the Somba people, offering a fascinating look into their unique defensive and communal architecture.

Abomey Historic Royal Palace Museum

A UNESCO-listed palace complex of the Dahomey Kingdom, showcasing regal artifacts, murals, and rich royal history.

Grand Popo

A serene coastal getaway known for its golden beaches, fresh seafood, and vibrant local culture, making it a perfect escape from the city.

International Vodou Festival in Ouidah (Jan 10)

A grand celebration of Vodou heritage with rituals, dances, and ceremonies attracting visitors from around the world.

The Aledjo Fault

A dramatic rock formation carved by nature, creating a breathtaking natural tunnel and a must-see stop along Togo’s northern roads.

The Fire Dance

A mesmerizing ritual where performers walk on fire and dance in trance, showcasing deep spiritual traditions and ancestral connections.

Horse Dance

A vibrant cultural performance where skilled riders and their decorated horses move rhythmically to traditional drum beats and chants.

Ghana National Museum

A deep dive into Ghana’s history, showcasing artifacts, royal regalia, ancient relics, and exhibits on independence and culture.

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park

A tribute to Ghana’s first president, featuring his mausoleum, personal artifacts, and a serene park in Accra.

Coffin Works Shop

A unique workshop crafting colorful, custom-shaped fantasy coffins reflecting Ghanaian traditions and the deceased’s life passions.

Ghana Armed Forces Museum

A military museum in Kumasi displaying colonial-era weaponry, war relics, and Ghana’s involvement in peacekeeping missions.

Kejeta Market Walk - Kumasi

Explore the Kejetia Market, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets, packed with traders selling everything from spices to textiles.

Royal Palace Museum

The seat of the Asante king, displaying Asante history, golden stools, and regalia inside the historic Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

Akwasidae Festival

A vibrant Asante royal ceremony with drumming, dancing, and homage to ancestors, held every six weeks at the Manhyia Palace.

Bonwire Traditional Kente Weaver Village

The birthplace of Kente cloth, where artisans hand-weave intricate patterns worn by royalty and dignitaries.

Ntonso Adinkra Batik Makers

A traditional village where artisans craft symbolic Adinkra cloth using hand-stamped designs with deep cultural meanings.

Togoville Artisans Workshop

A small community of skilled woodcarvers creating intricate masks, stools, and sculptures inspired by Ghanaian traditions.

Axim Slave Fort, Elmina, Cape Coast

Haunting colonial forts that tell the tragic story of the transatlantic slave trade along Ghana’s coastline.

Princess Town Dutch Fort

Ghana’s only surviving Dutch fort, standing on a hilltop in Princess Town, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic coast.

Kakum National Park Canopy Walk

A thrilling treetop walkway suspended high above the rainforest, offering breathtaking views and wildlife encounters.