Great Rivers: the Niger

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"The river Niger is the principal river of western Africa, extending about 4,180 km (2,600 mi). Its drainage basin is 2,117,700 km2 (817,600 sq mi) in area.[3] Its source is in the Guinea Highlands in southeastern Guinea. It runs in a crescent through Mali, Niger, on the border with Benin and then through Nigeria, discharging through a massive delta, known as the Niger Delta or the Oil Rivers, into the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. The Niger is the third-longest river in Africa, exceeded only by the Nile and the Congo River (also known as the Zaïre River). Its main tributary is the Benue River."
(Wikipedia)

Wide and slow moving for much of its length, it's known by some as the lazy river Niger, though its flooding causes problems in Nigeria especially. It has its own beauty. I've gone to a tributary, the Gurara, for an impressive waterfall shot. And for this gallery I've taken a little detour to the nearby Great Mosque of Djenné. Also in Mali- drier than the other countries- the legendary city of Timbuktu (twinned with Hay-on-Wye in Wales!) is also close.