Desert festival an oasis for sounds of the Sahara By Mark Tutton, CNN February 2, 2012 -- Updated 1134 GMT (1934 HKT) "Festival au Desert" is held a few kilometers outside Timbuktu, in Mali The festival is inspired by the traditional gatherings of the region's Tuareg nomads U2 singer Bono made a cameo appearance at this year's festival (CNN) -- You might associate music festivals with muddy fields and heaving crowds, but Mali's "Festival au Desert" is a world away from all that. Based a few kilometers outside the historic town of Timbuktu, on the fringes of the Sahara Desert, the festival is inspired by the traditional gatherings of the region's Tuareg nomads. It's been running since 2001, bringing together musicians from the region, and beyond. It's perhaps the only festival in the world where you can watch camel racing while listening to amped-up desert blues, where hawkers sell headscarves rather than burgers and where you can camp in a Tuareg tent among miles of empty sand dunes. See also: Asa, African pop legend in the making This year's festival, held in January, was in doubt after the kidnap of three tourists and the killing of another in Timbuktu, in November last year. The festival did go ahead, with an increased security presence, but security fears and travel warnings reportedly kept many tourists away. Those who did make it to the three-day event saw performers including soulful Sudanese singer Amira Kheir, Nigerien group Koudede, and an all-star tribute to the music of legendary Malian guitarist Ali Farka Toure. In the past, European acts including Robert Plant, Manu Chao and Damon Albarn have performed at the festival. This year, U2 singer Bono made a cameo appearance, singing onstage with local favorites -- and now international stars -- Tinariwen. Watch video: Mali's nomadic musicians It's the authentic homegrown stars that really represent the festival. Among them is local Tuareg group Tartit, which was formed in 1995 by a group of women who met in a refugee camp. Their song "Democracy," featured on the video above, is their take on the fate of the Tuareg in modern Mali, and perfectly embodies the spirit of the festival, and the Sahara. January 24, 2012 -- Updated 1620 GMT (0020 HKT) Rwanda may be known for its violent past but mountain gorillas are just one of the natural attractions drawing tourists to the tiny country. January 19, 2012 -- Updated 1058 GMT (1858 HKT) The city of Livingstone, in Zambia,has an almost-forgotten past as the home of one of the oldest Jewish settlements in Africa. January 16, 2012 -- Updated 1223 GMT (2023 HKT) Farmers in Tanzania are helping to conserve threatened forests by cultivating an unlikely crop: butterflies. January 16, 2012 -- Updated 1222 GMT (2022 HKT) Victoria Falls is a natural wonder that offers rafting, wildlife and river trips. January 12, 2012 -- Updated 1235 GMT (2035 HKT) A theater company from South Sudan is translating Shakespeare into the local dialect, before performing the play in London. December 29, 2011 -- Updated 1131 GMT (1931 HKT) One woman is on a mission to bring glamor to the ghettos of the Niger Delta, while educating and inspiring promising young talent. November 4, 2011 -- Updated 1008 GMT (1808 HKT) Once marred by conflict, Mozambique is slowly emerging as a popular tourist destination.