A few practical advices for a wonderful stay in magical Mali.

Formalities:

You need a visa to enter Mali.  The visa can be obtained at the Malian Embassy in your country (or a neighbouring one). The application forms often can be downloaded from the internet;  for addresses, telephone numbers etc.  see:    www.offshorewave.com/embassies_show.php?country_id=1075

You also need 2 or 3 passport photos,2 application forms, the fee (in cash) and sometimes you are asked to show a reservation for a ticket.
Make sure that there are 4 or 5 blank pages in your passports, because besides the visa you also will have to get some stamps at the airport and maybe at a police station, like in Tombouctou.
Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after you have left Mali.
Sometimes it is advisable to have a passport for each child that is accompanying you.

Vaccinations. visit either your personal physician or a travel health clinic several weeks before departure.

A Yellow Fever vaccination is required.
Other vaccinations, which are recommended, are: Typhoid, DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, polio), and Hepatitis A.   Very cautious visitors may also inquire about Hepatitis B and  Meningitis A + C.
And a good anti – Malarial drug is needed.

Health.

Mosquito bites - protection against mosquito bites is essential, so you should bring a repellent with DEET in it.  And using a mosquito net, wearing blouses with long sleeves and trousers during the evening and the night will help as well.
Diarrhoea – is known to occur, so you need to bring medication.
You need to bring some tablets in case you get constipated or sick to the stomach.

If you use medicines regularly it is recommended to ask your physician or pharmacy for a “medical passport” (or a survey of the medicines). That way you will prevent any difficulties at the customs. And should the medicines get lost during the trip, you  can get them easily replaced at a (hospital) pharmacy. 

Luggage.

The suitcase should not be to big; travellers bags and rucksacks are even better. The reason? They fit much better into busses, cars, boats etc.  Provide all your luggage with specific, characteristic identification; besides the labels also straps, scarfs, stickers etc.

Bring a small rucksack or bag for your trip to the Dogon; no need to lug everything.

Clothes and other things.

Depending on what you are going to do and to visit, but at least:

trousers, shirts with long sleeves, good walking shoes, Bermudas, t-shirts sweater, fleece cardigan, tongs (for the bathrooms), sun hat, sun glasses, sun protection, bath towels, a knife, a torch,  batteries and/or charger, a water bottle, plastic bags to protect your camera and other things against the sand and the dust; or to dispose of your waste matter, soap  and a sleeping bag (because it can be cold at night).

If you want to purify the water you need to bring the Micropur tablets.

Money.

There is only one ATM in Bamako at the Boulevard du Peuple. So it is possible to get your money at an ATM, but the machine does not work all the time.

Visa/Master cards are only accepted at a few hotels.

Travellers cheques are exchangeable at banks in Bamako and some other cities, but it is rather time consuming. Bring and keep some travellers cheques for emergencies.

The best thing is to bring cash, Euros preferably, but dollars are okay as well.

You can exchange them at the banks, but also on the street at exchange offices.

The banks are open from Monday – Thursday 07.30 – 12.00 and 13.15 – 15.00 and Friday 07.30 – 12.30.

The currency in Mali is Cfa; 1 euro is 655 Cfa.

There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 250 Cfa. and banknotes of 1.000, 2.000, 5.000 and 10.000 Cfa.

For paying meals at the restaurants or for souvenirs you can use the larger bills, but for a bottle of soda, fruit, candy etc. use the small coins as much as you can, because the people in the street and at the markets do not have change.

Photos and film.

The X-ray equipment at the airport are memory card, camera and film friendly nowadays, but if you  want extra security you can put the rolls of films and cassettes into a “lead bag”.

You need to bring spare batteries as well, because the lack of electricity or the power cuts you are not always able to recharge the rechargeable batteries.

The sand and the dust really penetrates everything so you need plastic bags to protect your cameras.

Mali offers many wonderful opportunities to photograph and people make up a large part of it. But since Mali is a Muslim country, photographing can be a somewhat sensitive issue. So, before you take a picture (especially portraits) ask the people if they mind. A bit of small talk helps. But if they really refuse, respect that.  It’s that simple - who persist simply makes no friends.

And buildings like: police stations, train stations, bridges, airports, banks etc. are not to be photographed.

Electricity.

The voltage is 220/230 V, but keep in mind that in some parts of Mali generators are used and in other parts electricity does not exist.

The plugs are European and French, so you have to check if you need an universal adaptor for your camera, laptop, MP3 player etc.; you can easily check this at:  www.kropla.com

Telephone.

Simcards for mobile phones may work as well in Mali, but the rates may be considerably higher and many times sending text messages is not possible.

Maybe bringing your own (simlock free) cell phone, but buying a simcard from Malitel or Orange (Ikatel) and credit is far less expensive and more practical for this short period.

Bring an extra set of batteries for recharging.

see also: www.kropla.com

Internet.

In almost every city you will find internet-cafés (cybercafés); the rates are on average 1 or 2 euros an hour.

In Bamako, Ségou, Bandiagara, Mopti/Sévaré and Tombouctou are satellite connections.

Food and drinks.

Water:

mineral water is sold in sealed bottles of 1,5 litres.  During your visit you are advised to drink only mineral water, although water from the tap and the springs are rather pure also. You can purify them again by using Micropur tablets.

But you are to avoid water from wells.

Tea and coffee you can drink without doubt, because the water has been boiled.

Food:

Food is prepared fresh every day; there are wonderful fish (capitaine) and meat dishes. You can eat every thing if it is well cooked.

It is better to peel your fruit yourself and not buy prepared fruit.

Prices for a meal varies- from 3 euros at a stall on the street, 3-6 euros at a normal restaurant up to over 15 euro at a luxurious hotel/restaurant.

NB:

In 2009 the Ramadan is from 21 august - 19 september

Mali is a Muslim country and the people celebrate the holy month of Ramadan; they do not eat or drink during the day. They understand that you do want to eat and drink, but try to do so a bit inconspicuously.

Meeting the people.

Greetings
In Mali the greetings are very important and endlessly. In many countries it is not a custom to ask a stranger about his health, his family, his job or earnings, it is a lack of manners.

But the Malians ask about your health, about that of your family, about your cultures, about your life … And it is considered very impolite not to do so.

And if you have tried to learn some words of Bambara - that will be very much appreciated!

Visits.

When you visit a person in his house, you  will offer you to sit down. Take time to do so, even for a minute or 2 . That way you will not offend the host.

Clothes.

When you visit some villages in the bush which are not in the habit of receiving foreigners' visit - dress more conservatively. Avoid clothes that are too short or too bare.

Photos

When you want to take a photo of people, it will be necessary to ask permission. If you have promised to send the photo, do not forget to do so after you returned home.

 
Gifts.

Sometimes the children show an overflowing enthuiasm for a gift, a pen, a bottle, sweets etc. It is not necessary to give that, but a small present belongs to the life style of Mali.

The empty bottles, for instance, are used again as storage for water to irrigate the land, to store essence etc.

Try to talk to the children, make jokes with them and please try to get not too irritated or annoyed with them.

 If you wish to give something, consider to give it to the village chief, so he can distribute it. And if you want to help, even later on, reflect about actions on the long term, about exchanges of know-how, skills and cultural exchanges etc.

Tips

For every service rendered, tipping is a normal and an established event, in Mali as well as anywhere else in the world.

If you are satisfied with returned services, show it.