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Mali Practical information Mali

 
 
Area : 478765  sq.mi - Population 10800000 hab.
Mali

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Practical information Mali

superficie

Area

478765  sq.mi
vol

Flights

7hr 45 min. Bamako is 2,700 mi from London. The capital city is very well served in terms of air links. Approximately 15 international airlines have flights to Mali, including the Compagnie Aérienne du Mali (CAM), Air France, Royal Air Maroc, Air Mauritanie, Air Algerie, Tunis Air, Aigle Azur, etc. Charter flights land in Mopti, operated by Go Voyages and Point Afrique in the high season. Point Afrique also organise flights to Gao and Timbuktu. Domestic flights operated by CAM or Mali Air Express (MAE) will soon enable you to connect to every regional capital.
decallage horaire

Jet Lag

population

Population

10800000 hab.
aeroports proche

Airports

The airport is 7 miles from Bamako centre. There are buses and taxis going to the town-centre. Negotiate the cost of the journey before entering, vehicles do not have timers!
securite

Security

If you choose to visit the north of the country,
first find out which political situation prevails, for tensions still exist. Notably in the Gao region where travellers can be robbed by bandits on the roads. Avoid travelling alone and do not take unnecessary risks!
langue

Languages

French, Arabic. Local languages: Bambara, Senufo, Soninke, Sarakole, Dogon, Fulfulde, Malinke, Touareg.
formalites

Requirements

To enter Mali, you must have a valid passport, a visa and your international vaccination booklet certifying your protection against yellow fever. The visa is issued at the Malian consulate. It is valid for one month and can be extended once in the country, in all cities.
religion

Religion

Over 80% of the Malian population is Muslim. Their Islam is moderate. Religious fundamentalism is virtually unknown in Mali. About 2% are Christians. Animistic rites are also practiced and they live peacefully with the Muslims and Christians.
monnaie

Currency

The currency is the CFA Franc, but Euros in the form of cash or travellers cheques can be exchanged easily (though this incurs a 2% charge in all banks). Currency can be exchanged using a Visa card in Bamako only, and exclusively at the BMCD bank, whilst MasterCard payments are accepted in two banks in Bamako only, although every withdrawal will incur a charge. The BMCD is open from Monday to Thursday from 8:00am to 3:00pm and on Fridays from 8:00am to 11:30am. Remember that you are in Africa, though, so exchange rates and commission fees are negotiable!
transports

Local transportation

Mali has three railway lines: Bamako-Kayes, Bamako-Dakar and Bamako-Kita. Find out the train times (Telephone: 22 59 67) and book your ticket a day before. The bus is the most popular means of transport. Shuttles are operated by private companies at fixed times for departures, though you need to reserve them in advance. "Bush-taxis" and tarpaulin-covered vehicles are cheap and uncomfortable and only take off after all seats are filled. Air Mali offers local flights including weekly flights to Mopti, Gao, Tombuktu, Nioro-du-Sahel and Kayes. Find out by calling them(Telephone: 22 94 00). To get around town, you're going to have to rely on the taxis!
sante

Health

The only mandatory vaccine to enter Mali is the one against yellow fever, however vaccines against hepatitises A and B are strongly recommended. The vaccine against yellow fever has to be done by a registered medical centre, at least 10 days before departure and is then valid for 10 years. Anti-hepatitis vaccines can be done by your general practitioner. Anti-malaria treatment will complete your precautionary health treatment. However, the best way to protect yourself against mosquitoes is to avoid mosquito bites by sleeping with a mosquito net whenever you can, wearing long clothes at night and using repellent cream, sprays and repellent smoke to keep them away! To reduce the risk of diarrhea, avoid raw and unpeeled vegetables, ice cubes and tap water.
electricite

Electricity

Voltage of 220 V.
frequentation

Flood of tourists

Mali was visited by 143,300 international tourists in 2005.
taxe

Taxes and tips

A tourist tax of 500 CFA francs per person per day applies.
telephone

Telephone

To call Mali from the UK, dial 00 + 223 + the number you are calling.
From Mali to the UK, dial 00 + 44 + number you are calling without 0.