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Like an exquisite sandcastle formed in a harsh desert landscape, Mali is blessed by an extraordinary amount of beauty, wonders, talents and knowledge.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Grande Mosquée

Djenné's elegant Grande Mosque was constructed in 1907, though it's based on the design of an older Grande Mosquée that once stood on the site. Famous…

Sankoré Mosque

Timbuktu's three great mosques - all inaccessible to non-Muslims - are nothing much to look at, but serve as reminders of its great past. The youngest of…

Mopti's port is a lively place, where boats from up and down the river unload their cargoes. You'll see slabs of salt from Timbuktu, dried fish, firewood,…

Dyingerey Ber Mosque

Timbuktu has three of the oldest mosques in West Africa. While not as visually stunning as some in Mali, they're still extremely impressive and represent…

Grand Marché

Every Monday, the wide open area in front of the mosque is transformed into the clamorous Monday Market, which has barely changed since the days when…

From the pleasant Fula village of Massina, you can start a trip along the Niger by public pinasse (large canoe). A good first stop is Diafarabé, where…

Centre de Recherches Historiques Ahmed Baba

An amazing collection of ancient manuscripts and books are kept at the Centre de Recherches Historiques Ahmed Baba. Home to (at last count) 23,000 Islamic…

La Dune Rose

Gao's premier tourist attraction is a sunset trip to La Dune Rose, known locally as Koïma, a wonderful sand dune on the right bank of the Niger, visible…

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Feb 16, 2011 • 2 min read

Mali’s Dogon Country can feel like a deliciously African evocation of the remote. Dogon villages have no electricity. Nor are they linked by a single…

Jan 5, 2011 • 2 min read

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Home » Travel Guides » Mali » 15 Best Places to Visit in Mali

15 Best Places to Visit in Mali

Mali is a land of many cultures and creeds; a dash of life and action and heritage and history that’s sandwiched between the rolling Sahel and the endless dunes of the Sahara Desert.

From the salt-caked outposts of Taoudenni in the north to the throbbing market town of Sikasso in the south, the lion-spotted reaches of Boucle de Baoulé in the west to the protected swathes of Ansongo in the east, there’s everything from time-stood-still tribal villages to groaning camel caravans to experience here.

Meanwhile, the capital at Bamako is surely one of the continent’s most enthralling.

Beer bars and local music dives erupt between the traffic-choked streets; bazaars and brilliant markets pop up on the corners.

Oh, and that’s not even mentioning the mystery of Timbuktu! Unfortunately, recent conflicts have all but placed this fascinating country in the heart of West Africa out of bounds for would-be travelers.

Skirmishes and battles and political upheavals continue, and all the while Mali’s great natural and human beauties remain at risk…

Lets explore the best places to visit in Mali :

1. Timbuktu

For many a Berber trader and Bedouin caravan man Timbuktu marked the end of the arduous trek across the shifting sand dunes of the great Sahara.

Evoking mystery and magic and the feel of far-flung exoticism, even the name conjured up images of dusty bazaars where spices and sabres and strange folk trinkets rattled and scented the air.

Today, Timbuktu is hardly the puzzling, perplexing enigma of place it once was; but there are traces of the old days.

Find them between the criss-crossing grids of sand-caked streets; see them in the muddy walls of the Sankore Mosque; or discover them underneath the spiked rises of the Djingareiber.

Gao’s fortunes have ebbed and flowed over the centuries like the ups and downs of a yoyo.

Once the imperial heart of the great Songhai Empire, the town was later almost entirely abandoned in favour of the new capital at aforementioned Timbuktu.

But Gao clung to life from its place in the very midst of the dusty Sahel.

Its tenacious locals maintained their mud-brick, mat-built yurts and life went on.

Today, that makes Gao a great place to glimpse the earthy, ancient character of Mali, while craft markets, the acclaimed Sahel Museum, and 15th-century sepulchres like the Askia Tomb (yep, it’s supposed to look like Egypt’s pyramids!) add a whole host of cultural draws to the mix.

Get the haggling valves and the shopping glands ready for that trip to Bamako: Mali’s largest and most frenetic city, where bazaars touting everything from carved folklore figurines to stacks of pungent spices cluster around the street corners and the sun-baked squares.

The nation’s capital, there’s something undeniably likable about this sprawling metropolis of more than 1.5 million.

It’s got palpable energy and an indelible lived-in feel.

The nightlife pulses to a medley of West African samba; the jazz bars are packed with beer drinkers on the weekends; fried plantains sizzle on grills from neighbourhood to neighbourhood; tuk-tuks purr, and traffic toots!

There are few sites in all of Mali – nay, all of north-west Africa – as impressive as the historic city of Djenné.

Crowned at the center by the adobe rises of one fascinating Great Mosque, it is known for its distinctive mud-brick architecture and long history as a spot on the old caravan routes across the Sahel and Sahara.

Made rich by the passing of minerals and precious metals (and – of course – slaves), the town boomed during the 15th and 16th centuries.

The great worshipping house in its heart stands as testimony to the revered religious center Djenné became (even though it’s a later reconstruction of an older mosque), while the nearby archaeological excavations at Djenné-Djenno have shown the town to be one of the oldest in the entire Niger basin.

Straddling the courses of the Bani River, just a stone’s throw from where that desert-shrouded tributary meets the mighty Niger, Mopti has positioned itself as one of Mali’s most important riparian ports.

But Mopti is also more than just an up-river trading center – it’s also the gateway to the fascinating tribal territories of Dogon, which come peppered with adobe villages and the semi-nomadic folk of the Bandiagara Escarpment.

There are oodles (and we mean oodles) of tour providers in Mopto, offering trips into this wild hinterland for cultural encounters, while boat trips to Timbuktu and sightseeing outings around the marketplaces and grand central mosques are also on the menu.

Small little Ségou is a town of just over 130,000 people.

It was once the beating epicentre of the Bambara Kingdom – a power that ruled over the lands of central Mali until around the turn of the 19th century.

Today, its prowess and capital title are gone, but the city still has a few relics from that glorious time.

Check out the tomb of Biton Mamary Coulibaly, the onetime monarch of the Bambaras, or the bustling port sides, which were once the trading powerhouse of the town.

Ségou is also famed for its wealth of charming French colonial architecture.

This can be found fringing the inner streets in a medley of Parisian facades and romantic governmental houses.

Rising in a wall of ochre-hued stone from the midst of the Sahelian wilds of south-central Mali, the great escarpment of rock known as Mount Hombori is like West Africa’s answer to Australia’s Uluru.

It hulks above the horizon just a short distance from the town of the same name; a place of creaking wagons, winding alleyways and low-rise rock homes inhabited by the welcoming Dogon peoples.

The biggest pull is certainly the great bluff though, and travelers now flock here to join intrepid 4X4 excursions into the sands, or to unearth the fascinating past currently being uncovered by archaeologists in the cave systems that carve their way deep into the mountain’s subterrane.

Sikasso is, and always has been, a mercantile town at heart.

Nestled close to the multi-state join of Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Guinea, it’s benefited from a location that’s able to connect Africa’s landlocked heart with the ports that pepper the Atlantic seaboard.

That trading history still pops up today, between the throbbing and frenetic fruit and veg markets that erupt ad hoc on virtually every block right throughout the week.

And Sikasso also has one other claim to fame.

In the late 19th century it was raised to the status of imperial capital; an honour decided on by king Tieba Traoré, whose own mother hailed from the spot.

The rises of Mamelon Hill are the place to go to trace that story.

Delineated by the meanders of the Senegal River, Kayes continues to bustle and thrum to the sound of market traders and salesmen.

In fact, the passage of goods was the very raison d’être (notice the language) for the town, which was first built up by the French in the 1880s to facilitate the movement of produce to and fro from neighbouring West African countries.

Travelers can come and wallow in the lively vibes of the place, seek out little trinkets and multi-coloured fruits and vegetables in the market, and sip coffees in the shadow of pretty Parisian-style builds.

And away from the town there are even more points of interest, like the Félou Falls, the roaring cataracts of the Gouina Falls, and the relics of the formidable Medina Fort.

10. Boucle du Baoulé National Park

Sprawling out over nearly one million hectares in the middle of West Africa’s wildlife-rich Sudano-Guinean zone, the Boucle du Baoulé National Park is unquestionably one of the jewels of the Malian hinterland.

The territory can be found close to the town of Kayes, cut through by rising ridges of Sahelian rocks and peppered with the remains of countless pre-historic troglodyte settlements.

And despite recent troubles scaring away most of the eco-tourists, the fauna has hardly changed.

Expect giraffes and rare simians, gazelles and even the occasional lion!

11. Ansongo

Occupying the western edge of the great nature reserve which shares its name (and the name of the town of Menaka on the far eastern side of the park’s boundaries), Ansongo is perhaps the youngest of all the places on this list.

Far from being one of Mali’s fabled imperial centers, this one was purpose-built back in 1996. The reason? To cultivate the fertile Sahelian plains that roll out to the north, west, east and south.

That means visitors can spot camel herds grazing and sorghum grasses swaying all along the flood plains of the Niger River here.

And when it’s time to hit the aforementioned reserve of Faune D’Ansongo-Menake, you can look forward to gazelles and hippos, crocs and sand cats.

One of the major hot points in the recent factional struggles that have beset Mali, Kidal sits deep in the region of the Azawad – the territory that unilaterally declared independence back in 2012 to trigger some of the bloodiest conflicts the heart of central West Africa has seen in recent years.

However, its lately troubles aside, Kidal remains a place steeped in the traditions of the Tuaregs nomad folk, who still inhabit the vast sand plains of the greater Kidal Region.

And the city showcases their traditions too, in both architecture and craft making.

Oh, and be sure to check out the remnants of the French colonial fortress in the city before departing!

13. Douentza

Encompassed by otherworldly landscapes of carved rock bluffs and dust-devil-scarred plains, the region of Douentza is a great place to get to grips with the wildernesses that characterise the Malian Sahel.

Douentza town sits at the heart of it all, ticking over with its sleepy Berber vibes and small marketplaces.

Another point of great contention during Mali’s recent upheavals, this one has flitted between control of the Azawad liberators, the government and various Islamist groups in the past couple of years.

And while the military struggles continue to simmer, the hinterland here continues to host the traipsing Gourma elephants, who pass this way on their annual migration – what a sight!

14. Bandiagara

Like Mopti before it, Bandiagara is the place to go for cultural encounters with the Dogon folk of the Malian plateaux.

Little more than a trading town with a few humble marketplaces and emporiums touting traditional Dogon trinkets and foodstuffs, the real draws actually lie away from the center here – except for that interesting Toucouleur imperial building on the central drag! We’re talking about the UNESCO-attested reaches of the great Bandiagara Escarpment.

This land of verdant plains and rock-ribbed cliffs is steeped in tribal history.

You’ll see the abandoned hamlets of the Tellem folk, mud-caked mosques carved into the mountains, and some of the most beautiful backcountry in the region!

15. Taoudenni

Taoudenni really is like nothing else in Mali.

Languishing out in the sun-scorched heart of the Sahara Desert, it continues to function for one purpose only: salt mining.

The settlement itself is actually constructed on the dried-up bed of an old saline lake.

Workers come to carve great slabs of salt from the earth, which are then loaded onto some of the last remaining camel caravans in the world and trekked south to Mopti and other trading cities.

There’s also the ruins of an old and infamous prison to see here, built in the 1960s by the onetime ruler Moussa Traoré.

15 Best Places to Visit in Mali:

• Boucle du Baoulé National Park

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Mali Travel Guide – Everything You Need to Know

Tourism in Mali offers a captivating journey through a country renowned for its rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and stunning natural landscapes. Located in West Africa, Mali boasts a diverse range of attractions that draw travelers seeking an immersive experience in African history and culture. From the legendary city of Timbuktu to the vibrant markets of Bamako and the mesmerizing Bandiagara Escarpment, Mali’s tourism invites exploration of its ancient past, traditional music, and the warm hospitality of its people. Travelers can discover the magic of the Saharan desert, the mysteries of the Niger River, and the World Heritage Sites that tell the tale of Mali’s illustrious history.

What’s the Best Time to Visit? 📅

The best time to visit Mali as a tourist is during the cooler and drier months, which generally fall between November and February. This period, which encompasses the winter season, offers more comfortable temperatures for travel and sightseeing. Here’s a breakdown of Mali’s climate and the best time to visit different regions:

• November to February (Cool and Dry): This is the peak tourist season in Mali. During these months, the weather is relatively mild and dry, making it ideal for exploring the country’s attractions, including historical sites, national parks, and the Niger River. Daytime temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F), and nights are cooler.
• March to May (Hot and Dry): The pre-monsoon months can be quite hot, especially in the northern regions of Mali. Daytime temperatures can exceed 35°C (95°F) or more. It’s still possible to visit during this period, but be prepared for the heat, and make sure to stay hydrated.
• June to September (Rainy Season): Mali experiences its rainy season during these months, with the heaviest rainfall typically occurring in July and August. Traveling during the rainy season can be challenging, as roads may become impassable due to flooding, and some areas may be inaccessible. However, this is a great time to witness the rejuvenation of the landscape, and it’s an important season for agriculture.
• October (Transitional Month): October marks the transition from the rainy season to the dry season. While rainfall decreases, the weather can still be a bit unpredictable, with occasional showers.

Keep in mind that Mali’s climate can vary significantly between regions. The northern desert areas, such as Timbuktu, experience extremely hot temperatures, even in the cooler months, while the southern regions, including Bamako, have a more tropical climate.

Additionally, when planning your visit to Mali, consider factors such as the timing of festivals, cultural events, and wildlife viewing opportunities, which can vary throughout the year. Be sure to check the latest travel advisories and safety information, as Mali has experienced periods of political instability and security concerns in certain regions. Always prioritize your safety when traveling in Mali and consult with local authorities and tour operators for the most up-to-date information.

What’s the Best Way to Get Around? 🚌

Getting around Mali as a tourist can be an adventure in itself, with diverse landscapes and transportation options. The choice of transportation depends on your destination and comfort level with different modes of travel. Here are some common ways to get around Mali:

• Domestic Flights: For long distances, especially between major cities like Bamako and Timbuktu, domestic flights are the fastest and most convenient option. Air travel is relatively reliable, and airlines like Air Mali and Mali Airways operate domestic routes. Keep in mind that flight schedules may vary, so it’s a good idea to book in advance.
• Buses: Buses and minibuses (known as “bâchés”) are the primary mode of intercity travel in Mali. They are economical but may not offer the most comfortable ride, especially on long journeys. Road conditions can vary, and the quality of buses may differ between operators.
• Taxis: In cities like Bamako, taxis are a convenient way to get around. They can be hailed on the street or arranged through your accommodation. Negotiate the fare with the driver before starting the trip, as taxis usually don’t have meters.
• Pirogues (Boats): Mali’s Niger River offers opportunities for river travel, with pirogues (traditional wooden boats) being a common means of transportation. These boats are used for both passenger and cargo transport. River journeys can provide a unique perspective on Mali’s culture and landscape.
• Car Rentals: Renting a car with a driver is an option for more flexibility in your travels. Be prepared for rough roads and varying driving conditions, especially in rural areas. International car rental agencies are available in Bamako.
• Motorcycles and Scooters: In some urban areas, motorcycles and scooters are used for short-distance travel. However, consider safety concerns and the need for protective gear if you choose this option.
• Camels and Donkeys: In the desert regions of Mali, especially around Timbuktu, you may have the opportunity to ride camels or donkeys for short trips and excursions. These traditional forms of transportation provide a unique experience.
• Walking: In cities and towns, walking is an excellent way to explore local markets, neighborhoods, and attractions. Ensure you have comfortable walking shoes and stay hydrated, especially during hot months.

When traveling in Mali, it’s important to keep in mind that infrastructure and road conditions can vary widely. Road travel in rural areas may involve unpaved roads, and some regions may have limited access. Additionally, be prepared for the possibility of travel delays due to weather conditions or other factors.

Before embarking on your journey, research your planned routes and transportation options, and consider seeking advice from local tour operators or authorities, especially if you plan to venture into remote areas. Lastly, be aware of travel advisories and safety recommendations, as Mali has experienced periods of political instability and security concerns in certain regions.

What’s the Official Language?

The official language of Mali is French. French is used in government, education, and the media and is commonly spoken in urban areas and among the educated population. While you can get by with French in many parts of Mali, especially in the capital city Bamako, it’s also helpful to know a few basic phrases in the local languages, as there are several indigenous languages spoken throughout the country. Here are some common French phrases and greetings, as well as a phrase in Bambara, one of Mali’s prominent languages, that can be useful for tourists:

French Phrases:

• Hello: Bonjour (bohn-zhoor)
• Good evening: Bonsoir (bohn-swahr)
• Goodbye: Au revoir (oh reh-vwahr)
• Please: S’il vous plaît (seel voo pleh)
• Thank you: Merci (mehr-see)
• Yes: Oui (wee)
• No: Non (noh)
• Excuse me / Sorry: Excusez-moi (ehk-skew-zay mwah)
• I don’t understand: Je ne comprends pas (zhuh nuh kohm-prahnd pah)
• How much is this?: Combien ça coûte ? (kohm-byen sah koot ?)

Bambara Phrase:

• Hello: I ni sogoma ? (ee nee soh-goh-mah ?)

It’s always appreciated when travelers make an effort to use local greetings and phrases, as it can enhance your cultural exchange and interactions with locals. However, you’ll find that many people in Mali, especially in urban areas, understand and speak at least basic French.

Where to Stay? 🏨

As a tourist in Mali, you’ll find a range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. The choice of where to stay will depend on your travel itinerary and the regions you plan to visit. Here are some common types of accommodation in Mali:

• Hotels: Major cities like Bamako, Segou, and Mopti offer a variety of hotels, ranging from budget to upscale options. These hotels typically provide comfortable rooms, on-site dining, and amenities such as Wi-Fi and air conditioning.
• Guesthouses: Guesthouses and small inns are common in urban and rural areas. They often offer a more personalized experience and a chance to interact with locals. Facilities and comfort levels can vary widely, so check reviews and amenities before booking.
• Lodges: In natural and tourist areas, such as near national parks and reserves, you may find lodges that offer accommodation in a more rustic setting. These are great options if you want to be closer to nature.
• Campsites: If you’re on an adventure or camping trip, there are campsites available in certain regions, especially around national parks and along the Niger River.
• Hostels: While not as common as hotels and guesthouses, some hostels cater to budget travelers. They are more prevalent in larger cities and may offer dormitory-style accommodations.
• Resorts: Mali has a few resorts, particularly near the Niger River, where you can enjoy a relaxing and comfortable stay.
• Traditional Accommodations: In some rural areas and cultural centers, you may have the opportunity to stay in traditional accommodations like mud-brick huts or traditional homes. These can offer a unique cultural experience.
• Camping: In remote areas, camping may be your only option. Be prepared with proper camping gear, as facilities can be minimal.

When choosing accommodation in Mali, consider factors such as location, safety, and access to essential amenities. In larger cities like Bamako, you’ll find a wide range of options, while in more remote areas, choices may be more limited. Additionally, it’s advisable to make reservations in advance, especially during the peak tourist season, to secure your preferred accommodation.

Always check reviews, ask for recommendations, and gather information from reliable sources to ensure that your chosen accommodation meets your expectations and offers a safe and comfortable stay.

What to Eat? 🍽️

Malian cuisine is diverse and flavorful, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage and reliance on locally sourced ingredients. During your visit to Mali, be sure to try some of these must-try dishes and foods:

• Bouillie: A popular breakfast dish, bouillie is a creamy porridge made from millet, maize, or sorghum. It’s often served with milk, sugar, or spices like cinnamon.
• Rice and Sauce: A staple in Malian cuisine, rice is typically served with a variety of sauces. One of the most famous is peanut sauce (sauce d’arachide), which combines ground peanuts, tomatoes, and spices.
• Tieboudienne: Known as the “national dish” of Mali, tieboudienne is a flavorful rice and fish dish. It’s usually prepared with fish, rice, and vegetables and served with a tomato-based sauce.
• Jollof Rice: A West African favorite, jollof rice is a one-pot dish made with rice, tomatoes, peppers, and various seasonings. It’s often served with grilled or stewed meat.
• Grilled Meats: Malians are known for their grilled meats, especially skewered beef, goat, and chicken. These dishes are typically seasoned with local spices and served with spicy dipping sauces.
• Brochettes: Similar to kebabs, brochettes are skewers of grilled meat, often served with onions, tomatoes, and chili sauce. They are a popular street food option.
• Akara: A savory snack made from black-eyed pea fritters, akara is deep-fried and served as a tasty and filling street food.
• Plantains: Fried or boiled plantains are a common side dish in Mali, served as a sweet or savory accompaniment to meals.
• Foufou: A starchy staple in Malian cuisine, foufou is made from yam, cassava, or plantains and is typically served with sauces, stews, or soups.
• Bissap: This refreshing drink is made from hibiscus flowers and is sweetened with sugar. It’s a popular and colorful beverage served throughout Mali.
• Millet Beer: Millet beer, known locally as “dolo,” is a traditional alcoholic beverage made from fermented millet. It’s often enjoyed during social gatherings and celebrations.
• Tamarind Juice: Tamarind juice is a tangy and sweet drink made from tamarind fruit. It’s a popular choice for quenching your thirst on hot days.
• Millet and Bean Dishes: Millet is a key ingredient in many Malian dishes. Try millet-based dishes like tô (a stiff porridge) and millet couscous, often served with legumes and vegetables.
• Fish and Seafood: If you’re near the Niger River or other water bodies, don’t miss the opportunity to try fresh fish and seafood dishes, including grilled or fried fish and fish stews.
• Fruits: Mali offers an array of delicious tropical fruits, such as mangoes, papayas, guavas, and bananas. Enjoy them fresh or in fruit salads.

While exploring Mali’s culinary scene, keep in mind that the availability of certain dishes may vary by region and season. Embrace the opportunity to savor the flavors of Malian cuisine, which combines local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques to create a delightful and diverse culinary experience.

What to See? 🔍

Mali is a country rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, offering numerous must-see places for tourists. While the security situation in some regions may vary, these destinations are among the most renowned and historically significant in the country:

• Timbuktu: Often referred to as the “City of Gold,” Timbuktu is famous for its rich history as a center of trade, scholarship, and Islamic culture. Explore ancient mosques like the Djinguereber Mosque, visit the Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Learning and Islamic Research, and admire the well-preserved architecture.
• Djenne: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its remarkable adobe architecture, particularly the Great Mosque of Djenne, one of the largest mud-brick buildings in the world. The weekly market in Djenne is also a vibrant cultural experience.
• Bamako: As the capital city of Mali, Bamako offers a mix of modernity and tradition. Visit the National Museum, the vibrant markets of Medina and Dabadougou, and explore the city’s bustling neighborhoods.
• Dogon Country: The Dogon people are known for their unique culture and cliffside villages. Hike through the Bandiagara Escarpment to visit villages like Sangha and Yendouma, known for their traditional architecture, rituals, and cliffside granaries.
• Mopti: Often called the “Venice of Mali” due to its location on the Niger and Bani rivers, Mopti is a bustling port city and a gateway to exploring the Dogon Country and other nearby attractions.
• Segou: Located along the Niger River, Segou is known for its colonial architecture, craft markets, and the Segou Koro Festival, which celebrates traditional music and dance.
• Boucle du Baoulé National Park: This national park is home to diverse wildlife, including elephants, hippos, and numerous bird species. It offers opportunities for safaris, birdwatching, and exploring the scenic landscapes.
• Mount Hombori: Mali’s highest peak, Mount Hombori, offers hiking and rock climbing adventures for those seeking outdoor activities and breathtaking views.
• Gao: Located on the banks of the Niger River, Gao has a rich history as an ancient trading hub. Explore the city’s architecture, markets, and nearby archaeological sites.
• Tomb of Askia: This UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gao is the resting place of Askia Mohammad I, one of Mali’s most renowned emperors. The tomb’s unique pyramidal structure is a significant historical and architectural site.
• Lake Faguibine: Visit this large seasonal lake to witness the vibrant birdlife and the unique floating islands of Lake Faguibine.
• Tombouctou 52 Days Festival: If your visit coincides with this annual festival in Timbuktu, you’ll have the opportunity to experience music, dance, and cultural celebrations that showcase Mali’s heritage.

Please keep in mind that the security situation in Mali can vary, and it’s essential to stay informed about travel advisories and safety recommendations from your government and local authorities. Additionally, when traveling to remote or rural areas, consider hiring a local guide or traveling with a reputable tour operator who is knowledgeable about the region and can provide guidance on safety and cultural etiquette.

What to Do? 📸

When visiting Mali, there are several must-do activities and experiences that will allow you to immerse yourself in the country’s rich culture, history, and natural beauty. Here are some top things to do as a tourist in Mali:

• Explore Timbuktu’s Rich History: Visit Timbuktu’s historic sites, including ancient mosques, libraries, and mausoleums. Explore the city’s vibrant markets and learn about its role as a center of trade and Islamic scholarship.
• Attend a Traditional Festival: If your visit coincides with a local festival, such as the Segou Koro Festival or Tombouctou 52 Days Festival, take part in the festivities, which often include music, dance, and cultural celebrations.
• Discover the Dogon Country: Hike through the Bandiagara Escarpment and explore the cliffside villages of the Dogon people. Learn about their unique culture, traditional architecture, and rituals.
• Cruise on the Niger River: Take a boat trip on the Niger River to experience Mali’s scenic landscapes, spot wildlife, and visit riverside villages.
• Visit the Great Mosque of Djenne: Explore the architectural marvel that is the Great Mosque of Djenne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mosque is an iconic example of Sudanese adobe architecture.
• Go on a Safari: Visit national parks and wildlife reserves like Boucle du Baoulé National Park to see diverse wildlife, including elephants, hippos, and various bird species.
• Enjoy Local Music and Dance: Mali is known for its vibrant music scene. Attend a live music performance or dance show to experience traditional Malian music, such as griot music, and contemporary styles like blues and pop.
• Try Local Cuisine: Savor Malian dishes like tieboudienne (rice and fish), peanut sauce, grilled meats, and millet-based dishes. Don’t forget to try traditional drinks like bissap and tamarind juice.
• Shop for Traditional Crafts: Mali is renowned for its artisanal crafts. Shop for handwoven textiles, pottery, jewelry, and woodcarvings at local markets and craft shops.
• Explore Historic Sites: Visit historical sites like the Tomb of Askia, the ancient city of Djenne, and the archaeological remains around Gao to learn about Mali’s rich past.
• Engage with Local Communities: Interact with local communities to gain insight into their daily life, customs, and traditions. Participate in cultural exchanges and support local artisans.
• Take a Desert Trek: For the adventurous, consider a trek into Mali’s desert regions, such as the Sahara Desert or the Gourma region, to experience the stark beauty of the desert landscapes.
• Visit Art Galleries: Explore art galleries and studios in Bamako to discover contemporary Malian art and sculptures.
• Learn About Mali’s Colonial History: Visit historical sites related to Mali’s colonial history, including the French Sudan era. The Maison des Esclaves in Goree Island is a poignant reminder of the slave trade.
• Witness a Traditional Wrestling Match: Traditional wrestling is a popular sport in Mali. Attend a local match to experience this exciting and culturally significant event.

Remember that Mali’s security situation can vary, so it’s crucial to stay informed about travel advisories and safety recommendations from your government and local authorities. Additionally, when engaging with local communities or participating in cultural activities, always show respect for local customs and traditions.

Culture and Safety 🦺

Traveling to Mali as a tourist offers a rich cultural experience, but it also comes with important considerations for safety and cultural respect. Here are some guidelines for understanding the culture and staying safe while exploring Mali:

• Respect for Traditions: Mali is a country with diverse ethnic groups, each with its own traditions and customs. Show respect for local customs, traditions, and religious practices. When in doubt, ask for guidance from locals or your tour guide.
• Dress Modestly: Malian society values modesty in dress. When visiting mosques, villages, or rural areas, dress conservatively, covering your shoulders and knees. Women should consider wearing a headscarf or dressing modestly in traditional settings.
• Greet Locals: Greetings are an essential part of Malian culture. Take the time to greet people with a warm “Bonjour” or “Salam” and engage in friendly conversations when appropriate. Building rapport with locals can enhance your cultural experience.
• Photography Etiquette: Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially in rural areas and markets. Some individuals may have cultural or religious reasons for not wanting to be photographed.
• Gift Giving: It’s customary to offer small gifts, such as food items or clothing, as a sign of goodwill when visiting someone’s home or a village. Check with your guide for appropriate gift-giving etiquette.
• Handshakes: Handshakes are a common greeting in Mali. Use your right hand for handshakes and when passing items to others. The left hand is traditionally considered unclean.
• Religious Respect: Mali is predominantly Muslim, with a significant Christian and animist minority. Show respect for religious practices and places of worship. When visiting mosques, remove your shoes and dress modestly.
• Travel Advisories: Check travel advisories and safety information from your government’s embassy or consulate before your trip. Stay updated on the latest security developments and recommendations.
• Security Precautions: Be aware that some regions in Mali may have security concerns due to conflicts and insurgencies. Consult with local authorities, tour operators, and reliable sources to assess the safety of your travel routes and destinations.
• Local Guides: Consider hiring local guides who are knowledgeable about the region and can provide guidance on safety and cultural norms. They can also help navigate areas with potential security risks.
• Travel Insurance: Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers potential medical emergencies, evacuations, and unforeseen situations. Verify if Mali is covered in your policy.
• Currency and Transactions: Familiarize yourself with the local currency (West African CFA franc) and exchange rates. Use official channels for financial transactions and currency exchange.
• Health Precautions: Consult a healthcare provider for vaccinations and health precautions before your trip. Carry essential medications and a first-aid kit, as healthcare facilities may be limited in some areas.
• Register with Your Embassy: Inform your embassy or consulate of your travel plans and contact information in Mali. Registering can be crucial in case of emergencies.
• Stay Informed: Stay informed about local news and developments during your stay in Mali. Follow the guidance of your tour guides and local authorities.
• Respect Local Laws: Abide by the laws and regulations of Mali. Familiarize yourself with local customs and avoid engaging in any activities that could be considered illegal.
• Avoid Sensitive Topics: Exercise caution when discussing sensitive topics such as politics and religion. Be mindful of local perspectives and avoid expressing strong opinions on these subjects.

Traveling to Mali offers a unique cultural experience, but it’s essential to prioritize your safety and respect local customs and traditions. By staying informed, being respectful, and taking necessary precautions, you can enjoy a rewarding and enriching journey in this diverse and culturally vibrant country.

In conclusion, Mali is a land of captivating contrasts and profound cultural richness that promises an unforgettable journey for tourists. From the architectural wonders of Timbuktu to the vibrant traditions of Bamako, and the serene beauty of the Niger River, Mali offers a unique and immersive travel experience. While challenges like political instability and security concerns exist, those who venture here are rewarded with the warmth of Malian hospitality and the chance to explore a country steeped in history, music, and a way of life deeply rooted in tradition. A visit to Mali is an opportunity to witness the enduring spirit of a nation and its people.

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Tips and how to travel to Mali in 2024

By Joan Torres 9 Comments Last updated on April 5, 2024

Why visit, safety, visa, best experiences, getting in, budget & costs, cultural facts and more. This is the most up-to-date travel guide to Mali anywhere.

Despite an unfortunate, ongoing conflict that has sealed some of the most astonishing sites in the country from regular tourists, Mali is still out there, Malians carry on with their lives and, with a bit of planning, some of their human-made wonders can be visited without any complication.

I visited Mali right after Mauritania and, while I think the latter is a great country to visit, Mali exceeded all my expectations, becoming one of my favorite destinations ever.

From tribal people to breathtaking man-made monuments and extraordinary landscapes, Mali might be, along with Ethiopia , the sub-Saharan African country with the biggest touristic potential.

This guide contains everything you need to know for traveling to Mali now.

For all the places to visit in the country, check my personal Mali itinerary

In this Mali travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• COVID-19 travel restrictions
• Best time to visit
• Top experiences
• Travel insurance
• Cultural facts
• Internet & connectivity
• Money & budget
• Accommodation
• Moving around
• More information

Insurance for traveling in Mali I strongly recommend IATI Insurance : COVID-19 + full Mali coverage + 5% discount BUY IT HERE TO GET YOUR SPECIAL DISCOUNT

📰 Traveling to Mali today

The situation in Mali is kind of ambiguous.

First of all, I personally believe that Mali is one of the most dangerous countries in the world, probably more than Syria , Haiti , and other Middle Eastern countries but, for some reason, the Western media hardly talks about it.

Nevertheless, most informed people and travelers know that something is going on in Mali but very few know what is actually happening.

In fact, when I announced my trip to Mali, I got several warnings from friends, readers and even family members, telling me to be careful, keep a low profile, or even suggesting canceling the trip but, once again, they barely knew what I had to be careful about.

So, what is going on in Mali that dropped tourism?

To summarize it in a few sentences, it all started back in 2012, when Tuareg insurgent groups claimed independence or more autonomy for northern Mali.

Following a coup d’état in March 2012 , those Tuareg insurgent groups – represented by the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad – occupied several northern cities (including Timbuktu and Gao) and, backed by Islamist groups, self-declared independence of northern Mali, rebranding it as Azawad.

The problem, however, was that the Tuaregs and Islamic rebels had completely different visions, so they started fighting each other until the Islamic rebels won and began to impose Sharia law across the north.

In 2013, several foreign armies, led by the French Army, intervened and they have been fighting ever since.

This is the current political and historical context and something you must be aware of if you ever travel to Mali.

😍 Why visit Mali, despite the conflict

With all this context, traveling to Mali doesn’t sound particularly appealing but as I always like to say:

Dangerous countries don’t exist. Instead, what you find are specific regions or zones in a country where potential danger might exist.

To be very honest with you, before doing any research, I was also skeptical about traveling Mali, not only for safety concerns but also because I thought the coolest sites were off-limits, and I didn’t want to travel all the way to Mali just to visit its capital Bamako.

But I was wrong. While it’s true that world-famous places such as Timbuktu, the tomb of Aksia or Dogon Country are big no-go zones, south and central Mali are filled with jaw-dropping sites for which traveling such a long way will definitely be worth the trip.

Daily markets, the town of Ségou, Dougouba, Siby, Sikasso and even amazing Djenné (if you are willing to take a small risk).

As I said in the beginning, Mali is one of the best countries I have ever visited, and it became so by just going to all those places located within the safe area.

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Mali? Areas to avoid

Safety is the number one concern for anyone traveling to Mali. Here you can check the FCDO Mali travel advice .

Is Mali safe to visit or not?

There is no short answer to this but, generally speaking:

Traveling to South Mali

The safest and most peaceful area to travel in Mali, which comprises anywhere south of Bamako. Nevertheless, according to many governments, the area around Kayes and the border with Mauritania present some security concerns, even though experienced travelers may claim otherwise.

Traveling to Central Mali

Anything that lies between Ségou and Mopti. Security will depend on where you go. For example, Ségou can be done independently without any problem but, further than that, a guide is recommended. I went as far as Djenné and I think there was some risk involved because Islamic-controlled villages are less than 20km away and the level of security is poor.

Traveling to North Mali

The actual war zone starts in Sévaré, 20km north of Mopti. If you make it to that point, you will see tanks and plenty of armored vehicles. Traveling to the north of Mali is not recommended, especially if you go by road.

Traveling to Dogon Country

Dogon Country spreads across central and north Mali, east of Mopti. The local guide who took me to Djenné said he would not dare taking me to Dogon Country. If my guide is concerned about Dogon Country, you should be as well, because he persistently tried to persuade me to visit Timbuktu by boat, claiming it was safe.

Nevertheless, remember that the situation in Mali is extremely volatile, and things can change overnight. For example, Dogon was OK to go to in 2019 but not anymore. This is just a small summary, for more information read my Mali safety guide

😷 COVID-19 travel requirements for Mali

Mali is currently open for tourism and all they ask for is either a vaccine certificate or a negative PCR.

For leaving Mali – A negative PCR test is also required which you can get at the following clinics:

• Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP) – This is a public hospital. Results are provided on the next day. It costs 35,000CFA, around 60USD.
• Golden Life Hospital – This is an American Hospital. Results are provided on the next day. It costs 55,000CFA, around 100USD.

Travel Insurance for Mali with COVID-19 coverage

IATI Insurance  is one of the few providers that offers full Coronavirus coverage, not only when it comes to treatment, but also cancellations costs in case you tested positive before departure.

And not only this, but it’s one of the few insurance providers that gives coverage for traveling to Mali.

Readers of Against the Compass can get an exclusive 5% discount .

Mali travel tip – Officially, the test should be done 72 hours before your flight departs but, when I arrived at Bamako International Airport and showed my test, they didn’t want to let me on the plane because my arrival time in Barcelona was 73 hours after taking the test – it was a 14-hour flight. At the clinic, I was asked for my flight details, so I argued back by saying that the health authorities told me otherwise, that it’s 72 hours before departure time. Our discussion was rather short and I was able to check in without much hassle, but be aware of this potential issue.

🪪 How to get a tourist visa for Mali

A tourist visa is required for traveling to Mali, which you can get at the embassy.

Surprisingly, you can find a Malian Embassy in many capitals around the world, including in Europe, the USA and Canada.

Alternatively, you can also apply for a visa in many West African cities, popular places being Nouakchott (Mauritania), Dakar (Senegal) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

The first thing you need to know is that each embassy has its own rules but, overall, the visa for Mali is supposed to be one of the easiest (and cheapest) visas to apply for in West Africa.

I got mine Nouakchott, and this were the Mali tourist visa requirements:

• 2 passport photos
• 1 passport copy
• 2,000MRU (around 45€) – Price increased in September 2020
• 48-hour turnaround (they will keep your passport)

It was valid for 30 days.

You need to specify the point of entry – Bamako International Airport in my case – and your entry date, which would be the day your 30-day validity would start from.

A curious fact was that I spent less than 10 minutes at the embassy – including waiting time – the shortest visa application ever.

Just contact your nearest embassy to find out about their specific requirements. Your reports are welcome in the comments section of this blog 🙂

🛫 How to get in Mali

Traveling to mali by plane.

Bamako, the capital of Mali, has an international airport with direct connections to several African cities.

You can also find occasional direct flights from Madrid, Paris and a few more European cities, but a good, cheap alternative is doing a layover in Dakar, where you find several daily flights to Bamako.

I personally flew in from Nouakchott via Dakar.

Traveling to Mali overland

Mali shares a border with several countries but, due to safety concerns related to the Sahel conflict, some of them are either closed or too dangerous.

Do check the latest security updates for Mali but, as a rule of thumb, any border located north of Mopti, which includes Algeria, Niger, east Burkina Faso and far-east Mauritania – is not safe.

Mauritania – Foreign embassies claim that the Mali border area is sketchy, but spunky overlanders cross it all the time from Kiffa or Ayoun al Atrous. Crossing from any entry point east of these two cities is impossible. Check my Mauritania safety report

Senegal – A fairly common border to cross that takes you to the city of Kayes.

Guinea Conakry – Perhaps, the easiest and safest Mali border crossing, which takes you straight to Bamako via Siby.

Ivory Coast – Another easy border to cross that takes you into a particularly safe area of Mali.

Burkina Faso – As I said, entering Mali from East Burkina Faso is way too dangerous, perhaps even impossible, but you can make your way into the country via the Sikasso border.

Niger and Algeria – The border area with these two countries is an actual war zone.

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⛅ Best time to visit Mali

Mali is hot all year round, experiencing little variation in temperature, always averaging around 35ºC, especially the central and southern part.

The north, however, which is composed of the inhospitable desert that characterizes the Sahel region, experiences a higher contrast between winter and summer but in any case, it’s always hot and you can’t travel there nowadays.

With that, when planning your trip to Mali, the only thing to take into consideration is the rainy season, which typically runs from June to September.

Therefore, the best time to travel to Mali would be after the rainy season, from October to January .

I visited Mali in February-March, and it was also great, no complaints or whatsoever because it was mango season 🙂

🛖 Top experiences in Mali

Don’t forget to check all the SAFE places to visit in Mali

Timbuktu and Dogon Country are the highlight of any trip to Mali but I didn’t include them in the best Mali experiences because they are no-go zones.

Visiting the Grand Mosque of Djenné

Few places in the world have moved and thrilled me as much as the Grand Mosque of Djenné.

This sand castle is the largest mud construction in the world and, on my visit, I literally had it all to myself.

Observing the local life along the Niger River

The Niger River is a 4,180-kilometer river that stretches across West Africa, the main one in the region, whose geographical importance was key in developing historical cities like Timbuktu and Djenné.

Today, the Niger River is a source of natural resources where the locals perform all sorts of tasks and jobs. From ladies doing their laundry to workers collecting the sand needed to build their mud buildings, or even planting crops on its shores, the Niger River is a year-round cultural festival that photography enthusiasts will surely enjoy.

Checking out the most colorful markets

Mali was the first West African country I ever explored, so when I first visited those markets filled with ladies wearing such colorful dresses I had a blast.

I strongly recommend Ségou market, which takes place on Monday.

Exploring Siby area on a motorbike

Siby is a small town 50km south Bamako, popular for its strange rock formations, unspoiled villages and mango plantations.

It’s a particularly peaceful and safe area as well, which is best explored by motorbike.

I rented mine through @scootwestafrica

🚑 Travel insurance for Mali

For Mali, recommend IATI Insurance because:

• Covers travel in Mali (which is rare)
• One of the few providers with full COVID-19 coverage
• Different plans for all types of travelers: from families to backpackers
• Covers senior citizens too
• Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount

📚 Useful books for planning a trip to Mali

Mali travel guide by bradt.

The only available guidebook to Mali is Bradt, which dates from 2009, and I don’t think there will be a new one until the Sahel conflict is over. There aren’t many copies available for sale, so it can be difficult to get one.

West Africa travel guide by Lonely Planet

If you are overlanding across West Africa, the generic LP guide to the region can prove useful if all you want is an overall idea of what to expect in each country. I bought it because I like collecting them but the Mali chapter has only 4 pages.

My blog posts are much more insightful 🙂

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: Shadow of Terror over The Sahel – Al. J. Venter

Incredible book that will make you understand what is going on in the Sahel, with a special focus on Mali. I enjoyed this book very much and I strongly believe it’s an essential acquisition for anyone traveling to Mali.

🕌 11 Cultural facts about Mali

1 – The Republic of Mali – It’s a landlocked country in West Africa and the 8th largest in the continent but home to less than 20 million people.

2 – It’s a former French colony – Which achieved independence in 1960.

3 – Mali is within the 10 poorest countries in the world – And the current conflict is only worsening it.

4 – The Bambara is the largest ethnic group – Who make up 35% of the total population.

5 – But there are many other ethnic groups – Fulani, Dogon, Soninké, Songhai, Mandinka, Tuareg and many others. The further north you go, the lighter-skinned Malians are.

6 – It’s predominantly Muslim – Islam is the religion practiced by 90% of the population.

7 – But they are moderate Muslims – Most Malians are believers and practice Islam daily but their form of devotion isn’t strict. Women wear tight dresses, alcohol is widely available and they are tolerant, even in villages and rural areas. The further north you go, however, the more religious I felt they were.

8 – French is the only official language – In Bamako, pretty much anybody can speak French but outside, only well-educated people can speak it.

9 – Bambara is the common language – Which can be spoken by about 80% of the population. Nevertheless, more than 40 African languages are spoken in Mali.

10 – Many signs show that Mali used to be a touristic destination – From several locals speaking fluent Spanish to a wide range of hotels and souvenir stalls covered in dust, one can feel that Mali used to receive a lot of visitors in better times.

11 – Malians are honest, friendly people – In Bamako, I met some expats who claimed that one of the things they liked the most about Mali was that Malians are truly honest, and as a traveler, this is something you really appreciate. In my experience, people were always keen to help, scams were rare, and they never exceeded the line between being friendly and too intense, except for the few classic crazy locals you bump into in Bamako.

Buying local clothes Both men and women dress up in colorful clothes. Usually, they buy the fabric in the market and then take it to a tailor afterwards. Both fabric shops and tailors abound and I was surprised that in Siby, I paid less than 5€ – fabric + work – for a pretty neat t-shirt. I also got one in Bamako but paid around 12€. Anyways, this is a pretty cool thing you can do when traveling in Mali, and the locals will definitely appreciate it.

🍲 The food in Mali

After traveling in Mauritania , my food expectations were terribly low but Malian food turned out to be pretty good, even though you have to look for it because most regular restaurants will serve what they call French food, which includes meals like grilled meat, fish, soups and fries.

It’s not really French but just international food and that type of restaurant usually belongs to hotels and auberges, or is located in areas where you are more likely to hang out. They are good because they have beer and probably coffee but they are overpriced and take you away from the Malian experience.

There are plenty of street food stalls too where you can get a local meal but the peculiarity is that there aren’t many proper Malian restaurants as such, and all the ones I went to were by recommendation.

The staple food in Mali is tiga diga na or tigadèguèna , consisting of peanut sauce with rice. That’s what most Malians eat every single day and what’s most available in the street. It costs less than 50 cents and, for an extra dollar, you can have beef stew on the side.

Malians are big meat eaters but pay attention at those restaurants and stalls, and you will see that very few Malians order it with meat, basically because they can’t afford it.

For breakfast, street food stalls will typically sell egg sandwiches but also heavy meat stews at 7am in the morning.

More meals you are likely to eat in Mali:

• Yassa – Chicken marinated with lemon, usually accompanied with rice.
• Jollof rice – A rice-based dish typically eaten across West Africa and consisting of long-grain rice with onions, tomatoes and spices. They have it along with chicken or fish but just plain jollof is good enough!
• Toukasso – This is the best thing I have ever eaten in Africa. It’s a tomato-based stew with many different spices, tender meat and dumplings. It’s a traditional wedding dish from Timbuktu, so it’s not easy to find. I had it in a hotel in Bamako.

🚰 What to drink in Mali

Water – Obviously, you must avoid drinking tap water. A 1.5l bottle of mineral water costs nearly 1€ anywhere, much more expensive than back home so alternatively, they sell some plastic bags filled with cold water. One filled plastic bag – around 0.5l – costs less than 10 cents but it does taste weird sometimes. I did buy them on several occasions, and didn’t get sick or anything like that, even though they don’t recommend foreigners drinking it.

Tea – Malians drink tea in a similar way than Mauritanians, quite foamy, but they are not that devoted to the preparation process. Check my Mauritania travel guide to know what I mean.

Coffee – I was happy to see that coffee was widely available in Mali, even in small cities, where many street stalls prepare actual ground coffee in a big pot. In Bamako, you can find plenty Western-style coffee shops.

Alcohol – Despite being a Muslim country, you can easily find beer, especially in south and central Mali. In more conservative areas, however, it can be more difficult. For example, in Djenné, which is a very religious town, there wasn’t any and I believe the more north you go, the more difficult it will be to find.

💻 Internet and connectivity in Mali

As one might expect, Wi-Fi in Mali sucks but 4G connectivity is outstanding, so do get a SIM card and fill it with data.

Where to get a SIM card

There are many Orange Mobile offices where I suppose you can get one. However, I got mine at the Sleeping Camel because they have a local friend who sells them. For less than 10€, I got enough data for a 2-week trip.

Get a VPN for traveling in Mali

You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.

Your connection will be much safer. 

Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Mali. 

I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. 

If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling .

💰 Money, budget & trip costs

In Mali, they use the West African CFA Franc (XOF) and approximately:

1 USD = 616 CFA

The West African CFA franc is the common currency used across many countries in the region, including Senegal, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger and of course, Mali. It was formerly called the Franc of the French Colonies in Africa – no need to explain why – and still today, it’s in parity with the former French Franc (100CFA = 1 Franc).

Credit cards and ATMs – As you might expect, paying by credit card is rare but ATMs that accept foreign card are plentiful. I withdrew from both BDN and Eco Bank without any problem.

Currency exchange – I didn’t need to exchange currency but in the center of Bamako, I was constantly chased by locals who offered to exchange euros or dollars at a fair rate.

Bargaining – Bargaining is a common practice in Mali, even for locals, so always try to do so, especially when buying fruit, fabrics and souvenirs.

How much does it cost to travel in Mali?

Here are the prices of the most typical things:

• A meal in non-local restaurant: 4000-6000CFA
• A meal in a Malian restaurant: 2000-3000CFA
• Street food meal (usually tiga diga na): 300CFA
• Street food meal with meat: 1000CFA
• Beer in most bars: 1000CFA
• Beer in local places: 500CFA
• Taxi ride within Bamako: 1000-1500CFA
• Local bus within Bamako: 100CFA
• Bottle of water: 400-600CFA
• Water in a plastic bag: 25CFA
• Budget, but clean accommodation : 12000-16000CFA
• Bus to Ségou from Bamako: 3000CFA

Backpacking in Mali – Average daily budget

🏨 How to find accommodation in Mali

Bamako, Siby and Ségou have a wide arrange of good, touristic hotels, the budget ones costing around 20€ per night. They are usually clean and comfortable.

Given the large number of expats and NGO workers living in the capital, Bamako has the most and the only ones which can be found online.

Outside of Bamako, you can’t book them online. These are the hotels I stayed at:

• Bamako – Sleeping Camel – A guest house run by one American (Phil) and Australian (Matt). Their guest house features a great bar frequented by embassy and UN stuff, a comfortable Western bubble where you can take a rest from chaotic Bamako. 16,000CFA for a double room.
• Ségou – Soleil de Minuit – Basic but clean, comfortable and the best location. 12,000CFA for a double room with private bathroom.
• Djenné – Campement de Djenné – I was supposed to stay here but in the end stayed with my guide. In any case, this is only hotel in Djenné that remains open.
• Siby – Hotel Kamadjan – Traditional hotel with Malian bungalows. More basic than the other places I stayed at. 8,000CFA for the cheapest bungalow.

🛺 How to move around Mali

Traveling in mali by public transportation.

Like in most developing countries, local buses run often, making it easy to move around.

From Bamako, you can easily catch a bus to Siby, Sikasso and Ségou.

From Ségou, you can also go to Djenné but as I said before, it’s better to do it with a guide because breakdowns are common and the biggest dangers in Mali (kidnappings or random attacks) happen on the roads.

Something quite unusual I found was that there are several bus stations in both Bamako and Ségou spread across a big area, all of them belonging to a different bus company and having different bus schedules, which made it pretty inconvenient.

Traveling in Mali with your own vehicle

I don’t recommend traveling north of Ségou with your own car or motorbike but south of Bamako should be fine. I did rent a motorbike from @scootswestafrica and drove all the way to Siby, 50km south of Bamako. It was a great experience.

This is how I traveled between towns:

• From Bamako to Ségou – By coach
• Ségou to Dougouba – By taxi
• Ségou to Djenné and San – With a private guide and his car
• Bamako to Siby – By motorbike

❗ More information for traveling to Mali

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Mali destination

• Is Mali Safe?
• Mali Itinerary

Travel guides to other countries in Africa

• Ethiopia Travel Guide
• Eritrea Travel Guide
• Somaliland Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Sudan
• Travel Guide to Egypt
• Libya Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Mauritania
• Tunisia Travel Guide

You might also like our Haiti travel guide .

Amazing guide, as always 🙂 I would love to visit Mali combined with Burkina Faso but not sure if it’s the right to time to go. I know that places are never as dangerous as the media portraits shows us but stilll… Did you ever feel unsafe in Mali?

Hi Patrick! It’s hard to tell but Mali was the first place that made me question my safety, yes, but only when I visited Djenné. It’s a long story which I explain here in detail: https://againstthecompass.com/en/mali-safe/ But in any case, except for that specific moment, everything was fine.

Fascinating to read your travel experience. Have always wanted to go to Benin and Mali since I was little when I was shown pictures of the Grand Mosque in Djenne and Timbuktu. Made it to Benin but not Mali. One day …..

Enjoy your travels!

Cheers! I would also love to visit Benin 🙂

Great overview, Joan—well done! I was lucky to have visited in 2018 and also sad to have been unable to see the North. Your write-up reflected my feelings about Mali and was great to read. I really miss my time there. Thank you.

What is the email or number of your guide?

Hola, Juan, cómo estás? Conocés alguien que pueda hacer una Carta de Invitación para ir a Mali? Estoy en Dakar y en la embajada me pidieron eso para poder otorgarme la visa. Muchas gracias. Excelente siempre todo lo que subís. Abrazo

Would you please provide the contact information for your guide? Thank you!

Hola Juan, just to update you on the Mali visa at their Embassy in Nouakchott. After applying for the visa on 07.02.24 with a handwritten letter in French addressed to the Mali Ambassador, I was told to come back after one week, so I visited Atar region as they didn’t keep my passport. After almost a week I went back to the Mali Embassy on 13.02 and got invited to the office of the Mali consul: he told me that he needs to send my passport to Bamako, a procedure that will take one month, maybe longer.. I politely declined, as I could not wait in Nouakchott for one month, maybe 2 months without a passport, and my flight to Bamako was on Friday 16.02. The result is that I had to burn 3 flight tickets (cost approximately € 730), as I bought flight tickets based on the wrong information that Mali visas were easy to get, especially in Nouakchott. But TIA, This Is Africa, things change rapidly.. Safe travels!! Kind Regards, Hans Couck, Belgium.

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8 Things To Do in Mali [Best Places to Visit in Mali – West Africa]

You’ve probably heard the name Timbuktu at least once in your life. And if you’re like me, there’s a big chance that you did so through a song. But where is Timbuktu, anyway?

This is where Mali comes in, a Saharan country in West Africa where Timbuktu is. It’s a land-locked state with Algeria, Mauritiana, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea and Senegal around it. Mali was formerly part of the three West African empires that controlled this region of the continent. It was then taken over by the French around the 19th century and gained its independence in the 1960s.

Unfortunately, traveling to present-day Mali isn’t so ideal lately as violence is prevalent in the country with even civilians getting seriously injured over terrorist attacks. There are still a few tour operators in the country, however, who still assist visitors who want to explore the country through the scope might be a bit restricted.

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Below, I’ll be listing some of the best things you can only experience in Mali which, hopefully, we can all get to experience once the situation has gotten better.

Table of Contents

Key Cities in Mali

Bamako – This is the country’s capital and was considered as one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. This is where most of the administrative activities in Mali happen and are also where some of the most important buildings in today’s Mali are situated.

This city can trace back its origins to the Palaeolithic era as evidence of settlements as early as this time can be found in some areas of Bamako. This is highly likely due to the proximity of the city to the Niger River Valley where they were able to grow an abundant food supply and trade as well.

Mopti – Another popular city in Mali is Mopti, which is said to have the highest concentration of the country’s natural resources. It is also known to be the country’s most valuable port as well as a huge commercial center.

Tourists are attracted to Mopti for its attractions like the Grand Mosque and the Pays Dogon.

Timbuktu – This popular ancient city is home to some of the country’s most valuable possessions as it was an Islamic scholarship center for many years. Timbuktu takes pride in its manuscripts were teachings of Islam, mathematics, law, science and more where listed.

Aside from its historical significance, Timbuktu also served as a trade route for invaders before the country was colonized by France.

At present, Timbuktu is among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

Djenné – Another important city in the history of Mali is Djenné, a city in the Inland Niger Delta region. Old Djenné is one of the oldest towns in this part of Africa and has been inhabited since 250 B.C

Djenné also served as an important market center and link to the trans-Saharan gold trade back in the days.

Aside from its economic purposes, Djenné was also an integral part of the propagation of Islam in the country. Until now, you’ll still see some of the historic Islamic structures in the city.

What To Do in Mali

1. witness the amazing mali architecture for yourself.

If you do a quick online search about Mali, you’ll notice how its buildings look nothing like what you’ll typically see anywhere! Mali buildings are often made following the traditional adobe architecture, giving them their distinct orange hues. Some of the most notable structures are the Grande Mosquée in Djenné which is known to be the world’s largest mud-brick building and the mosque of Musa I in the town of Gao.

2. Get to know more about life along the Niger River

Mali is home to various ethnic groups, some of which chose the Niger river as their settlement as it is a good source of livelihood for them.

Mopti and Djenné are both settlements around the Niger River where people of different ethnic groups still live. Go ahead and visit any of these two to get an authentic experience interacting with Mali locals.

There’s even a music festival being held around the river where Mali’s best performers gather now and then.

3. Visit Timbuktu

Probably the most famous destination in Mali, this town was once thought of as a city made of gold. It wasn’t, of course, but gold was often traded in its streets together with salt, spices, and dyes. Get to know this mysterious destination more by visiting its important mosques, structures made of mud, and even spending time with the Tuareg people (people who have been here since old times) by spending the night at their camp.

4. Explore the desert

As part of the Saharan region, Mali has its fair share of warm-colored desert land which you might be curious to explore. If you want, you can go ahead and visit the Pink Dune which is the highest spot along the Niger River. This looks especially beautiful during sunset as it turns into a beautiful shade of pink. To get there, you might need to hire a boat that will take you across the Niger river before you can go hiking up the mountain of sand.

5. Get in touch with nature

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Beautifulafrica (@beautiful.africa) on Oct 11, 2016 at 12:49am PDT

Of course, no African trip will be complete if you don’t get to experience their wildlife for yourself. Boucle du Baoulé National Park is a western Malian area where traces of prehistoric rock art and tombs can be found. Along with these, you’ll find local animals like giraffe, elephant, buffalo, hippo and a few more in their typical surroundings here.

6. Go shopping for local products

Ségou, a city in south-central Mali, is located on the banks of the River Niger and is home to some very creative people. Not only do they make beautiful pottery, but they also produce the bogolan cloth which is dyed with fermented mud. Go ahead and visit so you can get to know more about Mali’s local art scene.

7. Enjoy the capital!

As Bamako is the country’s modern city, expect to find several interesting places and things that you can visit or do while you’re there. There will be markets, botanical gardens, museums, and even craft centers.  If you want to see Malian artifacts, Musée National is a good destination for you. This is where you’ll find interesting ethnographic items from Mali’s ethnic groups.

Feeling a bit adventurous? Fetish Stalls might not be for the faint of heart, but if you can endure seeing skulls, skin, bones, dried animals or any of that sort, then it’s an interesting venue to explore.

8. Join the Festival of the Desert

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Alice Mutasa (@alami1906) on Jul 7, 2019 at 5:32am PDT

It’s been a while since it was last celebrated in Timbuktu. But if it ever comes back to Mali again and the situations are more stable than they are at present, this is something you definitely shouldn’t miss!

The Festival Au Desert was inspired by the Touaregs’ tradition of coming together for an annual meeting called Takoubelt which allows them to reconnect with one another, reconcile, and exchange thoughts. Here, you’ll find amazing Malian artists coming together to celebrate art, music, dance, literature and more. 

It’s also a way to celebrate the “La Famme de la Paix” which is the ceremony thousands of firearms are burned and transformed into a monument. It symbolized the peaceful ending to a rebellion that lasted for years in Timbuktu.

Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling to Mali

1. How do I get to Mali?

There are a few airlines operating flights to Mali regularly. You can get on a connecting flight to Bamako through Paris or Casablanca.

2. Do I need a visa to go to Mali?

If you are a citizen of any of these countries, you can go to Mali without a visa:

If you have a diplomatic and service passport from any of these countries, you can visit Mali for 90 days without a visa:

Cuba Russia Rwanda China (public affairs passport) South Africa (diplomatic, service and official passports)

Citizens of these countries can go to Mali with a visa on arrival:

Kenya Rwanda

3. How long is the tourist visa application process? 

It takes around 10 working days for a Malian Embassy to process your tourist visa.

4. How long is a Malian tourist visa valid for?

You can apply for a 1-month single-entry visa or a 3-month and 6-month multiple visas.

5. Is Mali safe for tourists?

Unfortunately, the situation in some of Mali’s regions isn’t so safe for visitors at the moment due to terrorist activities.

If you would like to travel to Mali, it’s best to check your country’s travel advisory first and plan to make sure you don’t get to places that are considered off-limits.

Also, if you want to visit, it’s always advisable to get a local tour operator to make sure you’re only going around places you are allowed to.

6. How do I go around Mali?

Public transportation like taxis and trains are accessible when in Mali.

7. Will I need a translator in Mali?

You probably will, unless you speak a little bit of French which is one of their official languages.

8. When is the best time to visit Mali?

The best time to visit is during the drier seasons of the year which go from October to January. You’ll also want to avoid the harmattan wind which comes from the Sahara from January to May.

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Tourism in Mali is focused primarily on its cultural sites, which sets it apart from other African countries with large tourism sector known for their natural features.

Mali is the most endowed in World Heritage sites in Africa. The mosques Djingary Ber and Sankore in Timbuktu, The mosque of Djenne, Dogon Country, the Tomb of Askia in Gao and Jaaral and Degal in Diafarabe and Dialloube were all recognized by the international community through inclusion in UNESCO World Heritage.

These prestigious cultural sites added to beautiful landscapes, vibrant and colorful neighborhoods and villages and the central Niger Delta with its earthen architecture and its Ramsar sites that host each year thousands of water birds, the Sahara desert whose beauty, in some places, the excitement grows as you travel across the country.

By its geographical position, its history and culture, Mali is a tourism and crafts-oriented country. However, the greatest wealth in Mali’s tourism industry is Malians themselves. Their hospitality, warmness and openness to all visitors in other words, the diatiguiya makes each visit to Mali a memorable one.  Diatiguiya  is not only defined by the extra attention paid to the visitor, but also the quality of sharing and listening.

Mali has a rich cultural background and the country celebrates various Festivals throughout the year in different regions: cultural festivals, music festivals, religious festivals, during which discussion forums are organized with the participation of foreigners from all continents.

The sub-sector of tourism (hotels, restaurants) is booming.

Accommodations:  ( List of Hotels) :

Bamako Hotel l’Amitié – Bamako, Bamako, Mali Phone: +223 21-4395 Fax: +223 21-4385

Grand Hotel l-Bamako Phone:    +223 222-2492 Fax:    +223 222-2601

SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS

Bamako, the capital city is the melting pot of the various ethnic groups of the country. Shady, pleasant and welcoming, Bamako is one of the most traditional African capitals. Sights: -National Museum: Collection of tools, masks statues, as well as lithographic material from the -prehistoric cave of point G.

-Women’s Museum-Muso Kounda: art and handicrafts by women

-La maison des artisans: Handicrafts center

-Scenic view from Koulouba

-Zoo and surrounding 17 hectares

-Prehistoric caves

-Marche Rose

-Boucle du Baoule National Park

-Bafing Faunal Reserve

Capital of the first administrative region, Kayes was also the capital of the French Sudan during the colonial era. Located on the Senegal River and bordered by the Tambaoura mountains, Kayes still has many European style buildings and Boulevards. In Kayes, one can visit the Fort of Medine, the Baoulé National Park, the Bafing Fauna reserve; bask in numerous lakes and waterfalls

Capital of the ancient kingdom of Kenedougou, Sikasso is the economic heart of the country, thanks to the cotton and other agricultural production. It’s the only region that stays green year around. Lush landscapes and historical sites are not to be missed.

Capital of the former Bambara kingdom, Segou is the second largest city and the fourth administrative region of Mali. The city of the Balanzan trees (Acacia Albida) has well preserved its Sudanese colonial architecture. It is also known for its pottery and cloth markets

Mopti, » the Malian Venice » is the capital of the fifth region. This island has one of the busiest port on the Niger River, It is the region of tourism ‘ par excellence’. The region is a melting pot, made up of various ethnic groups which live in harmony with one another. Common languages of the area include Fulani, Bambara, Dogon, Songhoi and Bozo. Some exciting sites are: – Musée des perles – Grande Mosquée : religious building – Marché

Djenné, the oldest known city in sub-Saharan Africa is situated on the floodlands of the Niger and Bani rivers. The city is the jewel of the Niger River, and is home to the World’s largest mudbrick mosque design by the famous architect Ibn Batouta. The mosque is refinished annually during a city-wide celebration in April. While in Djenné, one should visit the vibrant Monday market, the wells of Nana Wangara built by the Moroccans in the 16th century, the Grande Mosquee, and the old town.

The Dogon country

The Dogon are best known for their mythology, their mask dances, wooden sculpture and their architecture. Located in the Mopti region, the Dogon country offers spectacular cliffs, breathtaking views, vast plains and mystical cosmology. The scenic Dogon villages are built on the sides of the cliffs. The well-preserved culture and villages of the Dogon people is a must-see for any visitor to Mali.

Is a wonderful city in the northern part of Mali. This city has a great historical significance because it was founded back in the 12th century. Also known as the ‘mysterious city’ Timbuktu is the capital of the sixth administrative region of Mali. In the year 1988 it was given the honor of a world heritage site. Long a legendary destination for adventurers, Timbuktu was finally reached on April 20, 1828 by the French explorer Rene Caillé who said: ‘When I entered this mysterious city…. I was overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling of satisfaction. I had never felt such a feeling in my life and my joy was extreme.” Timbuktu continues to entice travelers from across the world, who come, eager to uncover its mysteries and discover its cultural heritage. Among others: -The Ahmed Baba Center: an institute for higher Islamic studies with a collection of many books from the 14th century. -Family libraries: containing precious manuscripts handed down over generations. Timbuktu is home of the largest and oldest ancient manuscript collection -Sankoré University is housed within the Sankoré mosque, and is one of the oldest universities in the world. Sankoré was founded in 989 by the chief judge of Timbuktu, and became a significant seat of learning in the Muslim world, particularly under the reign of Mansa Musa and then the Askia Dynasty (1493-1591). Students came from around the world, and in the 12th century Sankoré had an attendance of 25,000 students (in a city of only 100,000 people). The University was known for its high standards and admission requirements. While its achievements in higher education are important to Islamic civilization, they are perhaps even more important as a source of pride to humanity.

-Djinguereber Mosque: built in clay, the mosque Djinguereber is one of three major mosques in Timbuktu built between the twelfth and fifteenth century, then the most opulent of the city.

-The old city: The city’s ancient monuments take you back to its glorious past. The mosques, a fusion of Berber, Andalusian and Egyptian architecture, are masterpieces made almost entirely of mud brick -The Azalaï caravans: watch passing camel caravans arriving from the northern salt mines of taoudenit – The lake Horo wetland, a natural reserve.

Gao was the capital of the powerful Songhai empire in the 15th and 16th centuries. Gao lies 1,200 km northeast of Bamako and was the last Malian port before Niger. The Tuaregs and Songhai inhabitants of Gao are known for their gourmet, their hospitality and famous Touareg jewelry.

Kidal is pure Sahara, with its chains of beautiful mountains. The “blue men” of the desert, the dance of the camels, the rich handicrafts of the Touareg people and the 12th century cave paintings of tadamaket all add to the charm of this mysterious place. People live there from livestock and handicrafts production.

For more info: Office Malien du Tourisme:  www.omatho.com

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How to visit Timbuktu, the legendary city of Mali

Timbuktu / Photo by jalvarezg

Do you consider yourself an adventurous tourist? Then a visit to Timbuktu’s remote, half-mythical African city proves that the real savor of a trip comes from the journey itself, not necessarily from the leading destination. Let’s see how to visit Timbuktu !

In the heart of Mali, a landlocked African nation in the west of the continent, there is a delta. An expanse of water impossible to imagine could exist here, adorned with ribbon-like islands, unfolds before your eyes: it is the Niger River.

On its northern bank is a city, beyond which the first dunes of the vast Sahara desert recede in sandy waves towards the horizon. The full moon dominates the landscape to the west – a yellow ball sinking into a heat of scrub and sand. In the east, the sun dapples the sky with its reddish shadow. As the mud and brick buildings begin to glow in the dawn light, Timbuktu comes to life. Read more about visiting the Great Mosque of Djenne , in Mali.

Legendary Timbuktu remains in the Western imagination as a settlement somewhere outside the atlas, clinging to the Sahara desert, although the reality is somewhat different. Visiting it no longer requires the iron will of explorers and companions who are part of the native Tuareg tribes, able to traverse the desert just by ‘reading’ the texture of the sand. It’s not an easy journey, but that’s the beauty of it.

Mali and its capital, Bamako

For most tourists, the journey to Timbuktu begins on the tarmac of Mali’s only international airport, located a few kilometers south of the country’s capital,  Bamako . To describe Bamako as an example of a vast settlement in a developing nation, you must consider both its positive and negative elements.

The capital has no tall buildings and is a polluted city. The air is a cocktail of West African red dust, exhaust fumes, and burning waste. Spend just one morning around the main boulevard, and you’ll feel like you’ve inhaled a box of crayons. But in a city that covers 252 square kilometers and is cut in two by the Niger River, motor vehicles are necessary.

In any case, what the city offers in quantities as significant as the pollution is the buzz, color, and an incredible variety of bars and clubs where you can listen to some of the best live music on the continent. Also worth mentioning here is Songoniko bus station, the terminus for buses. From here, they depart every day to the port city, the first leg of the journey having Timbuktu as its final destination.

It is worth mentioning that nothing happens according to the bus schedule. The buses depart only if they are full of clients, which means their height doubles due to the roof loaded with pieces of luggage, motorbikes, and bags of food, and the corridor inside fills up with animals and local passengers. The 460 kilometers journey – this is the distance to Mopti – theoretically takes 8 hours. But from the very beginning, you should know that you will spend about two days on the road!

It’s all about keeping your optimism and preparing for what’s ahead.  Mopti , a tough town on the south bank of the Niger River, is about halfway to Timbuktu, and from here, you have two options to continue your journey.

The most convenient choice is to book a place in one of the many 4×4 vehicles. With such a car, you can easily reach Douentza, a small, poor settlement, where the asphalt ends and a day-long journey begin on a dusty road that will shake your bones to the max. It all culminates in an unforgettable trip across Niger, where herders regularly drive their cattle on the metal ramps of a small ferry, the animals squeezing as best they can through the passenger-filled land cruisers.

Those will take you to the north bank of the river, to Korioume, the settlement near Timbuktu, linked to it by a 10-kilometer-long macadam road, covered at the end of an extremely long day (that is, of course, if you don’t miss the last ferry leaving at sunset).

For more romantic travelers, Mopti offers the chance to travel the rest of the way by boat, spending the next 2 or 3 days passing through the uniquely beautiful Niger Delta and spending the nights on deck or camping by the water around the fire.

When the water level is high enough, around July to December, you can cross by one of the large steam ferries that regularly cross the river. During the dry season, you’ll have to cross the river by  pinasa  or pirogue, small private boats that carry goods and passengers together.

Once onboard, it’s easy to get into the rhythm of the smooth river journey. 

Watch fishermen on the coastal, casting their nets into the silvery waters, try your luck at spotting a hippo or two in Lake Debo and float past Naifunke, the hometown of legendary blues guitarist Ali Farka Toure. What better way than this to reach your destination?

Timbuktu, once the land of gold

Modern-day Timbuktu had changed somewhat from its prosperous 15th-century days when its reputation as one of Africa’s most prosperous trading posts gave rise to a legend that the town was formed in a land with plenty of gold. Today, the ramshackle markets and roadside stalls seem to sell all the same things, namely sour oranges and phone cards.

However, Timbuktu still has much to offer its visitors besides the honor of getting here. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient city boasts ancient mosques built of mud and brick, a collection of buildings that, at first glance, appear to be the work of long-extinct species of giant ants.

Of the three mosques, Djingareyber, built-in 1325, is the oldest and is open to the public, while the Sankori mosque once housed the city’s university, one of the world’s largest learning institutions dating back to the Middle Ages.

There are also a few modest but reasonable hotels, hostels, and restaurants here – the Boctou Hotel, with its restaurant and terrace being perhaps the most popular.

But what makes Timbuktu unique is not its brick and mud buildings or its inhabitants. The magic comes from the simple fact that this settlement really exists and the thrill you get from the thought that you might actually get there, and once you get there, you feel like every other place in the world is far, too far away.

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Hello. Thanks for a great article. I am trying to write a novel set in Timbuktu and this was helpful. Martha.

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Top Things to Do in Mali Island, Fiji - Mali Island Must-See Attractions

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THE BEST Mali Island Islands

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