A British couple have fled Timbuktu with the help of African soldiers and nomadic militiamen after the Malian city fell to rebel forces.
Neil Whitehead and Diane English ran a hotel in the northern province but made a dramatic escape from the country after the area fell under rebel control on Sunday.
The pair arrived safely in the neighbouring west African country of Mauritania and have been offered help by the Foreign Office.
A spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that the Foreign Office has been assisting Neil Whitehead and Diane English. We can confirm that they have arrived safely in Mauritania, where they have been offered consular assistance.
"Given the ongoing political instability in Mali, the Foreign Office is advising against all travel to the country and is recommending that all British nationals currently in the country should leave now by commercial means."
Whitehead and English, from Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, south Wales, own the budget Hotel Alafia on the edge of the Sahara desert and were running it with their team of local staff.
Information for tourists on the hotel's website reads: "The hotel is surrounded by high walls with double gates, which are locked at night, and a member of staff is on hand at all hours.
"However, crime is not a particular issue in Timbuktu and the owners have always felt safe in the town and elsewhere in Mali."
But the military coup that deposed Mali's president last month led to a deterioration in security, prompting the couple's flight.
A group called the National Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad is the largest rebel group involved in the insurgency but is not the only one, and in the three main northern towns of Kidal, Gao and Timbuktu, local officials say they cannot be sure which of the rebel armies has the upper hand.
Western observers have expressed concern over the presence of an Islamist faction called Ansar Dine, which planted its black flag in all three of the provincial capitals.
The group also announced this week that it was imposing Sharia law in the ancient city of Timbuktu.
A source close to Whitehead's family, who did not wish to be named, said relatives were "all very relieved and pleased they're both safe" and were glad the couple had left Mali.
Whitehead spoke to his son Adam from Mauritania today and had sporadic contact with him over the last few days while making the 860-mile journey to safety.
English's daughter, Hana Callard, said the couple tried to leave Timbuktu on Saturday but reached a military roadblock and so retreated, finally leaving on Sunday with the help of some rebels.
The former South Wales Argus journalist told the newspaper: "We saw on the news that the region had fallen to the rebels and we knew they were going to be in danger.
"It's been a worrying time but a bit surreal. It's something that happens to other people and not to you."
Her mother and Mr Whitehead hoped to return to the UK as soon as possible, she added.