The Ultimate Mali Travel Guide

Mali is a fantastic tourist destination (perhaps one of the best in the world). But in recent years, it has gone through a complicated ongoing conflict that has closed off some of the country’s most incredible destinations. Despite this, Mali is still there, and the locals live their everyday lives. So, if you plan carefully, you can visit the country and discover its wonders. That’s why we’ve created The Ultimate Mali Travel Guide, so you can plan your trip and visit some of the man-made wonders this country offers.

Actual Situation

Mali has been in a challenging situation for several years. The French army has now withdrawn, and the rest of the European armies will probably do the same. That leaves Putin’s army and Putin’s war criminals of the so-called ‘Wagner group.’ In the north of the country, the Tuareg are fighting for independence. Everywhere, Islamist attacks are possible.

Security

The security situation in Mali changes all the time. It is, therefore vital that if you are interested in traveling to the country, you should check first-hand. There are places like Dogon County that have been inaccessible for years. At the same time, there are others, such as Djenne, whose situation varies daily.

Visa

Unless you are a citizen of a West African country, you will need to obtain a visa in advance. Depending on your nationality, this will cost between $50 and $150.

Prices

Mali is definitely an expensive country for the traveler. If you want to visit destinations like Djenne, you will need at least 1000 USD for a 2-night, 3-day tour. If you want to visit Timbuktu via airplane, it will cost you about 3000 USD for a 2-day/1-night tour. And that’s in basic conditions. If you don’t want to take any risks and want to visit the capital, here are some typical prices:

A hotel room (single, AC, hot water, free wifi, breakfast included) is about 30,000 CFA.
A meal (meat/fish) is 4000 to 6000 CFA
A local beer (0.3 l) is 1000 to 2000 CFA
A soft drink (0.5 l) is 500 to 1000 CFA
Taxi in Bamako 1000 to 1500 CFA
Bottle of Water 500 CFA

Best Time To Visit

Money

The money used in Mali is the CFA-West (CFA Ouest); Euros and Dollars can easily be changed.

1 € = 655 CFA

1 USD = 610 CFA

Rates of February 2023

Language

Mali was a French territory, so French is still the country’s official language. However, only about 20% of the country speaks French, and this is concentrated in the main cities. Bambara is the most widely spoken language in the country, with around 80% of the population speaking it. It is worth noting that almost everyone in the country speaks at least two languages. If you’re only fluent in English, you’re likely to have problems, as it’s probably only spoken by young people in the cities or chain hotels.

Food

In Mali, it is tough to find pork as the country is mostly Islamic. What you will find is fish, chicken, beef, sheep, goat, frog legs, etc. There are also lots of vegetables, fruit, and bread (remember that the French dominated the country for a long time).

If you want to find typical Malian food, you must visit the street stalls, of course! You will have to ask for street food recommendations as you won’t find them on Tripadvisor.

The staple food in Mali is tiga diga na or tigadèguèna. It’s basically rice with peanut sauce. It’s the most popular and cheapest food on the street. You can get a plate for less than 50 cents, and if you want to add meat stew, you only have to pay a dollar more. The locals love the meat! Most can’t afford it, though.

Here are some of the most popular dishes in the country:

If you like to drink alcohol, you won’t have a problem in Mali, although it is a Muslim country. Well, in the south and center of Mali. But if you travel to more conservative areas such as Djenne, it will be harder to find spirits such as beer. And if you travel further north, don’t get your hopes up.

Clothing

Photograph

When traveling to a new country, it is essential to be aware of the culture when it comes to photography. Many tourists take pictures of everything, including people, without thinking about whether it is customary or not. As long as you ask, photography is not a problem, especially in Mali. Regarding public buildings, soldiers, policemen, etc., follow the general rules of a military dictatorship and do not take photographs.

Attractions

Mali is a fantastic country, full of tourist attractions. However, some are restricted due to security concerns. So I think it is crucial that you check if the destination you have in mind is viable. However, I will list what I consider to be the best destinations in the country:

Connectivity

In Mali, it is lousy. So the best thing to do is to look for 4G connectivity, which is extraordinary. So I recommend buying a SIM card and loading it up with data. The good thing is that getting a SIM card is easy and cheap! There are many Orange Mobile offices where you can get enough data for a 2-week trip for less than €10.

Tour Operators

Mali is a destination I personally recommend traveling to with a guide. At least outside the capital Bamako. Three travel agencies have experience and offer excellent tours to different parts of the country.

• Lupine Travel is an expert in extreme destinations and is the only agency in Mali that offers tours to Timbuktu.

• Young Pioneer Travel is another excellent option, offering reasonably priced trips (although nothing is cheap in Mali).

• Papillon Reizen is a local agency and perhaps the one with the most local contacts to ensure the safest trip possible.

Bottom Line

Mali is a genuinely great country, and it would be ideal if all its attractions could be visited. Despite this, and the difficulty that the security issue brings, there are ways to stay relatively safe. Getting to the country is not difficult – there are several flights from Europe with AirFrance and Turkish Airlines. You can even enter via the land borders from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire (there are other borders, but these are the safest). If you plan ahead and take the necessary precautions, it can be an amazing destination to add to your bucket list!