Le Festival Du Desert is held every year in Essakane, two hours from Timbuktu in Mali, and its roots are in the traditional Tuareg festivities, such as Takoubelt in Kidal and Temakannit in Timbuktu. This seems to be an interesting festival to attend from cultural and visual standpoints. The Tuaregs are visually compelling subjects, and the reputed hardship in getting to the festival appears to be well worth it.
A multimedia show is on the BBC's website and is found here:
Le Festival Du Desert