Mali Visa

Owing to its geography, Mali is characterised by hot and humid temperatures in the south, and the north is much hotter and drier. The best time to visit is June to September when rains are at constant making conditions for travel ideal.

French is widely spoken throughout the country due to the French Colonization in the eighteenth century. Mande and Fula are native languages which are common too. A significant per cent of the population is deaf and uses sign language to communicate. Although multilingual, very few locals understand English and language barriers could be faced to some extent. Mali is safe to travel within its capital and its neighbouring cities. It is not advisable to travel North of Segou and anywhere down south. Hire a local guide to ensure a hassle-free journey.

Book your favourite flight seat and hop on to Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways or Ethiopian Airlines, as they offer flights between cities in India and Mali consistently. For Indians, majority carriers fly this route via the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

What to see in Mali

Take a tour of Bamako, the capital of Mali, also known to be one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Visit the National Museum of Mali; though small in size, it has a beautiful of ethnographic pieces, ancient carvings and contemporary artworks. Since Mali is predominantly a Muslim country, the Grand Mosque in Bamako is the closest you can get to any local. Make sure you are appropriately dressed, especially woman who must be covered from head to toe. Built on a traditional mud-brick structure, its unique atmosphere is something not to miss out on. If you love partying, La Byblos is the place to be at with dance being a vital part of the local culture.

Visit Mount Hombori in Mali’s Mopti region. Its ancient caves and diverse flora and fauna are one of a kind. Hire a local guide and trek through this spacious plateau.

Wildlife is quite a frequent scene in the African continent. In Western Mali, Boucle du Baoulé National Park in the Kayes and Koulikoro Region is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and also a paradise for wildlife photographers. In the Kayes region, tour the Gouina falls, dubbed as the “Niagara Falls of Mali”, it will be a sin if missed!

In Gao, visit La Dune Rose, the city’s most famous tourist site. La Dune Rose is located on the right bank of River Niger. During dawn, the dunes turn pink creating a fairyland in disguise. One can also hire a pirogue (a type of boat) to drift further along the river as the dunes come alive.

The Malian cuisine heavily relies on cereal grains, millets and rice which are the staple ingredients you can find in every other dish. Street food sold in carts and small shops is as tasty as any fancy cafe and reasonable too. Fufu, Jollof rice and peanut butter sauce are popular of all.

No vacation is complete without grabbing a souvenir. Handicrafts, blankets, jewellery, clay pots, leather goods and musical instruments are sold in large quantities. Make sure to use your bargaining skills, it can save you a lot of cash.