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Required travel documents for Mali

Required travel documents for Mali: passport [...]

Electric power

Electric power: 220V / 50Hz [...]

Area code to Mali

Area code to Mali: +223 [...]

Money and Banking

Banks are open from 7:30-11:30 A.M. and from 1:15-3:30 P.M. Monday through Thursday and from 7:30- 12:00 noon on Fridays. Personal checks and credit cards cannot be used for banking transactions, though the major hotels in Bamako do accept credit cards f [...]

Telecommunications

Long-distance telephone and telegraphic service is limited. Public-use telephone, telex, and FAX facilities are available. Mali is on Greenwich Mean Time, 5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. [...]

Climate and clothing

Summer clothing is suitable for Bamako. Wash-and-wear clothing and sturdy shoes are recommended. Hats and sunglasses should be worn outdoors to protect against over-exposure to the sun. [...]

Transportation in Mali

Railways: total: 729 km (linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes) (2001) narrow gauge: 729 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: total: 15,100 km paved: 1,827 km unpaved: 13,273 km (1996) Waterways: 1,815 km navigable Ports and harbors: Koulikoro [...]

Communications in Mali

Telephones - main lines in use: 45,000 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 40,000 (2001) Telephone system: domestic system unreliable but improving; provides only minimal service domestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open wire, and [...]

History

Malians express great pride in their ancestry. Mali is the cultural heir to the succession of ancient African empires -- Ghana, Malinke, and Songhai -- that occupied the West African savanna. These empires controlled Saharan trade and were in touch with M [...]

Bankas

Bankas is at the southern end of the escarpment. It is one of the better starting points for a trek. The guides are more friendly than in Bandiagara. Market day is monday.

The best place to stay is Campement Hogon, a few hundred meters from th [...]