Segou is small enough to cover the main riverfront area and market on foot. The pottery villages south of town are best reached by hired motorcycle or taxi — any guesthouse can arrange one. Shared bush taxis (bâchées) run from the gare routière to villages and towns throughout the region.
For excursions, pirogue (dugout canoe) trips on the Niger are easily arranged through local guides at the river bank; a few hours on the water to nearby villages is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon. The road north to Djenné (130 km) is a practical day trip if you start early — the full-moon Monday markets there draw visitors from across Mali. Security conditions in Mali can change; check current government travel advice before visiting and consult with locals on current road conditions.