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Félou Falls: A Natural Wonder and Historical Landmark

Discover the historical Félou Falls in Mali, where natural beauty meets modern engineering on the Sénégal River. A must-see destination!

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The Félou Falls, located on the Sénégal River in western Mali, are a series of rocky cascades that mark a historically significant point of navigation. Today, they are also the site of a modern hydroelectric plant.

A brief summary to Félou Falls

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Local tips

  • Visit during the rainy season (June to October) to witness the falls at their fullest and most impressive.
  • Consider hiring a local guide in Kayes for transportation and insights into the area's history and culture.
  • Respect the local environment and dispose of any waste responsibly.
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Getting There

  • Taxi

    From Kayes, the most convenient way to reach Félou Falls is by taxi. Negotiate the fare beforehand, as prices are not fixed. A typical one-way trip should cost around 3,000-5,000 CFA francs. The journey takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    Bush taxis or 'sept-places' (shared taxis) are a more affordable option. Head to the Gare Routière (bus station) in Kayes and ask for a ride to Félou. The cost is around 500-1,000 CFA francs per person, but be prepared for a potentially longer and less comfortable journey. From where the bush taxi drops you off, there may be a short walk to the falls.

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Discover more about Félou Falls

The Félou Falls, or Chutes du Félou in French, are situated on the Sénégal River, approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) upstream from Kayes in western Mali. Here, the river descends 13 meters (43 feet) over a rugged arrangement of rocky steps, creating a striking natural display. Historically, the falls held considerable importance as the furthest navigable point on the Sénégal River from Saint Louis. The seasonal fluctuations in water levels meant that reaching the falls by boat was only feasible for a few months following the rainy season. In the 19th century, French forces utilized the river during their conquest of Sudan, and in 1855, Louis Faidherbe, the French governor of Sénégal, erected a fort in Médine, a village 3 kilometers downstream from the falls, to solidify French control over the river and establish a base for inland expansion. In more recent times, the Félou Falls have become the location of a hydroelectric plant. The initial plant, constructed by the French colonial government in the 1920s, was upgraded in 1992. In 2009, construction commenced on a new, larger hydroelectric plant with a capacity of 62.3 megawatts (83,500 hp), replacing the original small plant. This project, completed in 2014, stands as the third Senegal River Basin Development Authority project on the river.

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