Mali - Info & Facts

Suggested Length of Stay

To get a good overview of Mali, a suggested length of stay would be between 10-15 days. Due to the instability of the country only the Southern region of the country can be visited at this time.

 

 

Modes of transport

Road

There are very few paved roads in Mali, and they are all single-carriageway outside towns, though most are in good condition. One leads into the North of the country (Bamako, Segou, San, Mopti, Gao), other branches off after Segou to cross the Niger at the Markala dam and goes as far as Niono, while another goes from Bamako to Sikasso and on into Ivory Coast. A good 4×4 is recommended.

 

Public transport

There is a good network of inexpensive public buses throughout the country. Small mini-buses offer local journeys while larger coaches ply the longer distance routes.

Taxi

In any larger city, taxis will be plentiful and are usually an easy way for the tourist to get where they are going without trying to figure out the local public transport system (if one even exists). Be prepared to bargain, as they will generally try to overcharge you – in Bamako XOF1000 should get you anywhere in the city during the day (or up to XOF1500 at night) while crossing the river will be XOF1500-2000. Also, tell the driver clearly if you do not know the location of the place you want to go, as they are rarely forthcoming about admitting that they don’t know it and will often expect you to give directions, especially if it is not a popular or common destination.

 

Health Precautions

Although it is rarely enforced, you are technically required to have an international vaccination card showing immunization against yellow fever. It is also recommended to get Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid, and meningitis vaccinations.

Mali is highly endemic for malaria, including S. falciparum malaria, the most acute variety. All travellers should plan to take a malaria prophylaxis throughout their time in Mali (mefloquine and Malarone are the most common).

Stay away from dirty food and water. The rule “cook it peel it or forget it” should be followed. Also, water should only be drunk out of sealed bottles or after it is sterilized through boiling or chemical utensils. The food is another issue. It’s sometimes difficult to know if it’s cooked long enough. Also the, to Westerners, unusual spices are sometimes the cause for sickness, especially diarrhoea. Also expect little stones or bits of grit in the meal, especially the local couscous (this doesn’t mean it’s unsafe though, as it has been cooked long and thoroughly). For the traveller the main danger is diarrhoea. For mild diarrhoea, you should be sure to get lots of rest, drink lots of clean water and eat soft plain foods. If the diarrhoea is severe or lasts several days, be prepared to take antibiotics. During the illness, the body will lose a lot of water and salt. Coca-Cola (sugar and water) and pretzel sticks (salt) are available everywhere and do a good job of getting travellers back to full strength. There are also instant powders that have the necessary glucose and salts available to purchase.

 

 

Food and Drink

The most universal Malian dish is rice with sauce (often peanut “Tiga diga na,” tomato/onion/oil, or leaf/okra based – usually with some fish or meat if purchased or prepared for guests). “To,” a gelatinous corn or millet food served with sauce, is another Malian classic, though more a village food than something most tourists would encounter. In the north, couscous is also quite common.

In the largest cities, decent “western” restaurants can be found, charging near western prices. Bamako even has good Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian, Lebanese and more. In smaller places, the standard Malian restaurant serves chicken or beef with fries and/or salad – usually edible and affordable, but boring and not particularly Malian. The better places in the more touristy areas may also have some local specialities. “Street food” is a lot more fun (and super cheap) – breakfast will be omelette sandwiches, lunch is usually rice with a couple of sauces to choose from, and dinner presents many options including beans, spaghetti cooked in oil and a little tomato, potatoes, fried rice, chicken, meatballs, beef kebabs, fish, and salad. You can find a little table along the roadsides and near transport centres.

Snacks you may find for sale include little cakes (especially in bus stations), various fried doughs (either sweet or with hot sauce), peanuts, roasted corn if in season, sesame sticks, and frozen juices in little plastic sacks. Fresh fruit is widely available and always delicious. Some of the best are mangoes, papaya, watermelon, guavas, bananas and oranges – the selection depends on the season.

The legal drinking/purchasing age of alcoholic beverages is 18. However, because Mali is a predominately Muslim nation, many locals discourage anyone from drinking alcohol.

 

 

Money

Mali uses CFA franc and belongs to the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). The CFA franc is the only currency used in Mali. Travellers are supposed to change foreign currencies against CFA franc in the currency bureaus (bureaus de change) when arriving in Mali. Bureaus de change are located in the international airport as well as in the major cities. Commercial banks also change foreign currencies against CFA franc and vice versa. Informal change is common, especially in Bamako. It advises against the informal exchange of currency because of potential risks including robberies. It is possible to use debit cards to withdraw cash from ATMs. Some merchants will accept credit cards; however, cash remains the most common way to make transactions in Mali.

Time Zone

Mali is on universal time. Business hours are Monday through Thursday, 0730 to 1600, and Friday, 0730 to 1230 then 1430 to 1730. Saturday and Sunday are non-working days.

 

Visas

You will need a visa to enter Mali. Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Embassy of Mali for up-to-date information.

 

 

Australian Embassy & Consulate contacts in Mali

Australia doesn’t have an embassy or consulate in Mali. The Canadian Embassy in Bamako provides consular assistance to Australians in Mali. This service includes the issuing of Provisional Travel Documents. If the security situation in Mali deteriorates further, the ability of the Canadian Embassy in Bamako to provide consular services to Australian citizens may be limited.

 

Canadian Embassy, Bamako

Koulikoro Street

SƩmƩga Building

District II

Bamako, Mali

Phone: +223 44 98 04 50

Fax: +223 44 98 04 55

Email: bmakog@international.gc.ca

Website: www.canadainternational.gc.ca/mali

 

Australian High Commission, Accra

2, Second Rangoon Close

(cnr Josef Broz Tito Ave)

Cantonments, Accra

Ghana

Phone: +233 302 216 400

Fax: +233 302 216 410

Email: AccraHC.Enquiries@dfat.gov.au

Website: www.ghana.highcommission.gov.au

 

Mali Embassy contacts in Australia

Mali does not have an Embassy in Australia, for Australian and New Zealand passport holders, you are required to get your visas via the Mali Embassy in Japan.

Address: 3-12-9, Kami Osaki, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo 141-0021, Japan.

Telephone: (+81)3-5447-6881. Fax: (+81)3-5447-6882

Email: info@ambamali-jp.org / Website: www.ambamali-jp.org

 

 

Electricity

Two different kinds of plugs are used in Mali: C and E. The voltage is 220 and the frequency is 50 Hz.

 

 

Getting there (stopovers)

Flying to Mali can be a journey, Currently the best and quickest way to travel to Bamako the Capital of Mali. Is Via Singapore and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). After that, itā€™s via Dubai and Tunis or Doha and Casablanca.

 

A brief history

Mali has had a turbulent past since becoming independent from France in 1960. In recent history, Since 2013 Mali has become quiet however the northern regions of Mali are still a hotspot for violence.

 

Tipping

Tipping is discretionary, not required. A small tip is a traditional way of expressing one’s respect, as well as the appreciation for good services.

 

smiling white male wearing a backpack

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