Social ConventionsMalians are hospitable people and will welcome visitors gracefully into their homes. Visitors must remember that this is a Muslim country and the religious customs and beliefs of the people should be respected. Modesty in dress, particularly for women, is essential.
Photography: This is no longer restricted, except for military subjects. However, interpretation of what is considered off limits tends to vary. Other subjects may be considered sensitive from a cultural or religious point of view and it is advisable to obtain permission before taking photographs
in Mali.
International Travel:Getting There by AirMali’s national airline is
Air Mali (L9). Mali also has a share in the multinational airline,
Air Afrique (RK).
Departure TaxXOF10,000; for destinations in Africa XOF8,000. Children under 2 years and transit passengers continuing their journey by same flight are exempt.
Main AirportsBamako (BKO) is 15km (9 miles) from the city (journey time – 20 minutes). A bus service into the city is available.
Getting There by RailThere is a service from Bamako to Dakar (Senegal) which has air conditioning, sleeper facilities and restaurant cars (journey time – 35 hours). It will also carry cars. There are also plans to extend rail links into Guinea.
Getting There by RoadThe best road connections are from Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. There are also road links with Senegal, Guinea, Niger and Mauritania. The all-weather road follows the Niger as far as Niamey (Niger). Travel via the Algerian border is currently considered dangerous and not recommended.
Bus: Services operate from Kankan (Guinea) to Bamako, as well as from Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) to Ségou and Mopti, and Niamey (Niger) to Gao. From Côte d’Ivoire, there are three buses per week (journey time – at least 36 hours). From Niger, the national bus line
SNTN operates buses to Mali.
OverviewThe following items may be imported into Mali without incurring customs duty:
1000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 2kg of tobacco;
two bottles of alcoholic beverage;
a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.
(a) Cameras and films must be declared. An import permit is needed for sporting guns. Plants, except fruit and vegetables, need a certificate. (b) Authorization from the National Museum in Bamako must be obtained when exporting certain Malian archaeological objects, particularly those from the Niger River Valley.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirSome domestic flights are provided by
Air Mali. Light aircraft can also be chartered from the
Société des Transports Aériens (STA).
Getting Around by WaterBetween July and December, there are weekly services between Bamako and Gao via Timbuktu along the River Niger. However, because of drought in the Sahel desert, services are sometimes suspended. The journey is approximately 1300km (800 miles) and takes five or six days. Between December and March, travel is only possible between Mopti and Gao. Food is available on the boats and first-class cabins can be booked in advance. Motorised and non-motorized
pirogues and
pinasses (types of river boat) are available for hire between Timbuktu and Mopti. Since the completion of the Manantali Dam in 1988, work has continued to improve the navigability of the River Senegal.
Getting Around by RailThere is a daily service from Bamako to Kayes, en route to Dakar on the Senegal coast. There are two trains, one Malian and one Senegalese – the Senegalese train is far superior, with air conditioning and buffet car. The railway line is Mali’s most important method of transport, over and above the road link. There is also a daily service from Bamako to Koulikoro.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the right. Roads in Mali range from moderate to very bad. Particular care should be taken if driving in Bamako. The main road runs from Sikasso in the south to Bamako, and to Mopti and Gao. The roads from Bamako to Mopti, Douentza, Koutiala, Sikasso and Bougouni, along with a few other roads, are paved. Between Mopti and Gao, travel can be difficult during the rainy season (mid-June to mid-September) when the Niger, at its confluence with the Bani, splits into a network of channels, and floods its banks to form the marshlands of the Macina. Stops at customs and police checkpoints are frequent on major roads and driving is particularly hazardous after dark.
Bus: Services run between the main towns.
Documentation: International Driving Permit recommended, although not legally required. Insurance and a
carnet de passage are also needed.
NoteVisitors are advised to keep to the main roads, otherwise they should travel in convoy. Caution should be exercised when traveling at night. Visitors should be aware of the recent violent incidents which have occurred in northern Mali and the Mauritanian border.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesTaxi: Collective taxis in cities are very cheap. The taxis charge a standard fare regardless of the distance traveled. Tipping is not expected.
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