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Mali

Mali is a vast region in the middle of West Africa, so there's enough to see even for half a year, from the bustle of Bamako to the clay mosques of Djenné, the land of the Dogon tribe and the rock formations of Siby. But the most important is Timbuktu, the mysterious caravan city to which Europeans have sought for centuries with varying degrees of success. The city remains almost inaccessible even today.

See the trip suggestions below and contact us if you are interested or need more information about trips to Mali. Mali is also easy to combine with a trip to Burkina Faso, for example.

Mali has traditionally been a centre of tourism in West Africa, thanks to its rich culture and unique attractions, but security problems in recent years have virtually put an end to tourism. Kameli Travel, however, is able to organise trips to Mali with certain security arrangements – whether your intention is to see just the capital Bamako, combine it with a couple of days in Djenné or visit the mythical Timbuktu deep in the Sahara desert. We can arrange a trip to Timbuktu for you or your group, either by scheduled flight, private plane or by making the outward or return journey by boat, with extreme low profile and extreme caution, along the Niger River to/from Mopti. The journey is an experience that will never be forgotten.

Contact us if you're interested, need more information about travelling in Mali or already know where you'd like to go in Mali. Or let us know the date and let us make a suggestion. It's easy to combine a trip to Mali with a visit to Burkina Faso.

Tour suggestions

The Grand Tour of Burkina Faso and Mali, 8 days

Day 1 | Arrival in Ouagadougou, from there via Bazoulé to Bobo-Dioulasso, where we stay overnight
Day 2 | From Bobo-Dioulasso to Banfora, where we stay overnight
Day 3 | From Banfora to Sikasso, where we stay overnight
Day 4 | From Sikasso via San to Djenné, where we stay overnight
Day 5 | From Djenné to Mopti, where we stay overnight
Day 6 | From Mopti to Ségou, where we stay overnight
Day 7 | From Ségou via Siby to Bamako, where we stay overnight
Day 8 | Departure date

Mali is one of the largest countries in the world (1 241 238 km²) and easily swallows up every Nordic country – as do Niger and Chad, which are the same size. Yet the population is only about 22 million. Mali's capital is Bamako in the west. The country gained independence from French rule in 1960 and, as a colonial legacy, French is widely spoken language. English is poorly understood. The people make their living almost entirely from agriculture. Tourism is almost non-existent.

Climate: Due to its large size, Mali can accommodate a variety of climates, but generally speaking the weather is hot and dry all year round. The rainy season lasts from June to October, with August being the wettest month. The south receives more rain, while the north gets only occasional showers. The dry season lasts from November to June. Temperatures hover around 25 degrees Celsius from November to January, while the dry and hot harmattan winds blowing from November to June can push daytime temperatures up to over 40 degrees Celsius.

Security: Bamako is safe to visit at any time, but the rest of the country is unfortunately unstable at times, and in some places even life-threatening. The security situation even varies from day to day or week to week, so anyone planning a trip to Mali should be prepared for changes in plans. In general, the border regions of Mauritania, Algeria, Niger and Burkina Faso should be avoided, as should the northern part of Mali. We recommend that you only visit Mali with a reliable guide – which you can get from us.

Visa: With the exception of some African nationalities, visas are required for everyone. It is issued by the Malian embassy, but if you plan to combine your trip with a visit to another West African country, a visa can be obtained more quickly and with less hassle from one of Mali's neighbouring countries. Please note that visa policies and prices are subject to change without notice. The passport must be valid for the entire duration of the trip.

Currency: Mali uses the West African CFA franc (XOF) as its currency, which is pegged to the euro. One euro is worth around 656 francs. You should take euro banknotes with you and exchange them on arrival or withdraw cash from an ATM.

Vaccinations and malaria: Mali requires a certificate of yellow fever vaccination. In addition, hepatitis a and b vaccinations are recommended. Please ensure that your basic vaccinations are up to date. Malaria is prevalent in Mali throughout the year, so anti-malaria medication is recommended.

Travel insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. Please check with your insurance company that your insurance is valid also in Mali.

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