ALL NEED TO KNOW • POPULATION (2020 EST.): 20,250,834 • CAPITAL: Bamako • MAIN CITIES: Segou, Sikasso • VISA: U.S. passport holders require a visa, costing $131. If visitors can’t show evidence of yellow fever immunization, they may be required to be re-immunized on the spot as a condition of entry into the country • HEALTH: Yellow fever certificate required. Precautions against hepatitis A, typhoid, polio and malaria are recommended. Also meningitis, depending on the area visited and time of year • CURRENCY: CFA franc (XOF) • EXCHANGE RATE (APPROX.): XOF578 = $1
• TIPPING: Not expected, but appreciated. 10 percent is acceptable in restaurants • TIME: GMT • ELECTRICITY: 215/240 volts. Adaptor required • DRIVING: Driving is on the right in Mali. International permit is required • PUBLIC HOLIDAYS (2022): Jan 1, 20; Mar 26; Apr 18; May 1, 3, 25; Jul 10; Sept 22; Oct 8; Dec 25. Includes a number of Muslim festivals, the dates of which are approximate • LANGUAGE: French plus indiginous languages • RELIGION: Mainly Sunni Muslim; traditional beliefs • COUNTRY DIAL CODE: +223
GETTING THERE • MAJOR GATEWAY: Bamako (BKO) Domestic airports in Mopti (MZI) and Timbuktu (TOM) • TYPICAL FLYING TIME: From New York, 12.5h via Dakar
SAFETY & SECURITY Security risks continue to exist in Mali, particularly kidnapping, violent crime and terrorism. Check travel.state.gov before travel
ALGERIA
MA URIT ANIA
MALI Lac Faguibine Timbuktu Lac Debo Mopti Segou Bamako GUINEA Sikasso BENIN CO TE D’IV OIRE 400 | ASTA | Worldwide Destination Guide 2022/23 GHANA Dogon dancer BURKINA F ASO Lac Niangay