The self-service breakfast starts at 7h. You may eat at your own table or together with the group. Classes start at 8h and finish at 12.30h (the coolest hours). Lunch is served at 13h. In order to create community spirit, your teacher as well as Alessandra, the lady of the Sandcastle, will accompany you at the table d'hote (the host's table). The rest of the day is free to spend as you like. You can practice your skills, go fishing or hunting with the locals, take a pirogue cruise, hang out with the children, visit Djenné (4km) or just relax in the garden. Also, several games (chess, cards, darts, petanque) are available to play, or you can take a 3½km walk to the bridge and play a game of football with the local team. Dinner time is 19h, but you may also eat in town (at your own expense). In the evening, we'll make a campfire and you can sit down and chat, read or sing. Every now and then interesting people are invited for you to talk to, such as an imam, chief or representative of the local cultural office.
On day 4, you can chose between two free afternoon excursions. The first option is a sunset cruise in a traditional wooden boat (pirogue), around the two islands that compose Djenné. The second excursion is a 15km hike across the savanna to visit a few of the isolated villages around Djenné.
You will stay at the Sandcastle's guesthouse (in double rooms) or in the traditional touareg style nomad tent in the garden. The accommodation has 4 showers and 4 toilets, which are shared with a maximum of 8 to 10 fellow course members.
The workshops start on Thursdays and last till the next Wednesday. However, should you wish to come as a group and set your own dates, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our teachers speak English and French. On request Spanish speaking teachers can also be arranged.
Each arts & crafts workshop costs € 500,-- per person, based on double occupancy. This price includes:
For a group booking we have a special offer; ten people can join the workshop while only nine pay.
Payments have to be received a month prior to your arrival.
Reservations can be made through e-mail. Our aim is to form harmonious groups of workshop participants (especially in terms of language), so please provide us with the following information:
Accommodation is also available in the traditional touareg tent in the Sandcastle's garden.