Mali Travel Safety

Road safety

Driving standards, lack of traffic signals, excessive speed, pedestrians and livestock on roadways, traffic congestion, the absence of sidewalks and poorly lit streets all pose serious risks. Exercise extreme caution when driving. Road conditions off major roads are poor. Overloaded transport vehicles often break down and cause accidents. Many vehicles lack lights. Roadside assistance is not available. Avoid driving at night. Vehicles should be equipped with spare tires and an emergency kit.

Precautions

Avoid travelling after dark. Carjackings occur throughout Mali, especially in the north. Petty crime occurs often. Panhandlers are common. Be careful of scam artists at the Bamako Senou International Airport. Travel in groups, remain alert, ensure that your personal belongings and travel documents are secure and avoid poorly lit areas after dark. Corruption is prevalent. Police may stop motorists and request payments for unknown reasons. When shopping, note that food products are sometimes sold past their expiry date and higher prices may be charged for merchandise bought in markets.

Public transportation

Public transportation is unreliable in the capital. Determine taxi fares before departure.

Women's safety

Based on the crime situation of the Mali, women should be vigilant all the time and aware of the surroundings. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Females should be cautious while dealing with strangers and acquaintances. Women may be subject to unpleasant male attention, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Avoid flash of money or valuables in public. Exercise a high degree of caution during travel.

Crime

Crime is on the rise in Mali, particularly in Bamako, which has seen an increase in armed assaults and robberies. Westerners have been the targets of carjacking, car theft and various scams. Roadblocks, which are often set up at night, can lead to travel disruptions and contribute to the heightened threat of crime.

Kidnapping

The risk of kidnapping is high throughout Mali, especially in the northern regions and in all border areas. There is a very high risk of kidnapping in northern Mali, and Westerners are a preferred target. Some hostages have been detained for months before being released, and some have been killed. Use varied and unpredictable routes and schedules when moving from one place to another, exercise particular caution when travelling on highways, in rural areas and residential areas in Bamako even during daylight hours-and avoid border areas.

Dress and behaviour

Mali's customs, laws and regulations adhere closely to Islamic practices and beliefs. Exercise common sense and discretion in dress and behaviour. Dress conservatively - for women: knee-length or longer dresses and long sleeves are preferable, women should avoid clothing that could be construed as revealing, such as miniskirts, shorts and sleeveless or low-cut (front or back) blouses and tops, men: should not wear shorts outside tourist areas. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. Overt public displays of intimate affection are frowned upon in Mali's culture. During the lunar month of Ramadan, use discretion when drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset.

LGBT

The laws of Mali do not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is less tolerated socially and public display of affection may attract unwanted and negative attention. LGBT travellers should be aware of local sensitivities, particularly when visiting rural areas.

Illegal or restricted activities

Photography of military personnel and installations is prohibited. Cultural and religious factors influence the interpretation of what subjects may be photographed. Ask permission before taking photographs.