Mali Travel Guide

Language

French is the official language in Mali, but Bambara is spoken by 80% of the population. Numerous other African languages are also spoken. Outside the bigger towns few people speak French, and hardly anyone speaks English.

Currency

The official currency in Mali is the West African CFA Franc (XOF), which is divided into 100 centimes. The CFA franc is tied to the Euro. Foreign currency and travelers checks can be exchanged at banks in Bamako. French francs and euro are the easiest to exchange. Banks are closed on weekends. ATMs are only available in Bamako and only accept Visa cards. Major credit cards, usually Visa, are accepted in some hotels and restaurants in the capital, but credit cards in general are not widely used in Mali.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Plug types used are round pin attachment plugs.

Communications

The international dialing code for Mali is +223. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are not required. There are two mobile telephone operators. Outgoing international calls are made through an international operator. Internet cafes are common in Bamako, and a few are present in other towns.

Duty-Free

There is free import of 1,000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 2kg of tobacco, 2 bottles of alcohol, and perfume for personal use. Sporting guns are allowed as long as authorization from the Customs Department in Bamako is acquired within 24 hours of arrival.

Tourist Office

Mali Tourist Office, Bamako: +223 20 22 5673

Embassies in Mali

• United States Embassy, Bamako: +223 20 70 2300.
• British Embassy, Bamako: +223 2021 3412.
• Canadian Embassy, Bamako (also responsible for Australia): +223 20 21 2236.
• South African Embassy, Bamako: +223 20 29 2925.

Mali Embassies Abroad

• Mali Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 332 2249.
• Mali Embassy, Brussels, Belgium (also responsible for Britain): +322 345 74 32.
• Mali Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 1501.
• Mali Embassy, Tokyo, Japan (also responsible for Australia): +81 3 5447 6881.
• Mali Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 7464/0676.
• Mali Embassy, Tokyo, Japan (also responsibe for New Zealand): +81 3 5447 6881.

Emergency

Emergencies: 18 (Police); 15 (Ambulance).

Language

French is the official language in Mali, but Bambara is spoken by 80% of the population. Numerous other African languages are also spoken. Outside the bigger towns few people speak French, and hardly anyone speaks English.

Currency

The official currency in Mali is the West African CFA Franc (XOF), which is divided into 100 centimes. The CFA franc is tied to the Euro. Foreign currency and travelers checks can be exchanged at banks in Bamako. French francs and euro are the easiest to exchange. Banks are closed on weekends. ATMs are only available in Bamako and only accept Visa cards. Major credit cards, usually Visa, are accepted in some hotels and restaurants in the capital, but credit cards in general are not widely used in Mali.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Plug types used are round pin attachment plugs.

Communications

The international dialing code for Mali is +223. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are not required. There are two mobile telephone operators. Outgoing international calls are made through an international operator. Internet cafes are common in Bamako, and a few are present in other towns.

Duty-Free

There is free import of 1,000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 2kg of tobacco, 2 bottles of alcohol, and perfume for personal use. Sporting guns are allowed as long as authorization from the Customs Department in Bamako is acquired within 24 hours of arrival.

Tourist Office

Mali Tourist Office, Bamako: +223 20 22 5673

Embassies in Mali

• United States Embassy, Bamako: +223 20 70 2300.
• British Embassy, Bamako: +223 2021 3412.
• Canadian Embassy, Bamako (also responsible for Australia): +223 20 21 2236.
• South African Embassy, Bamako: +223 20 29 2925.

Mali Embassies Abroad

• Mali Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 332 2249.
• Mali Embassy, Brussels, Belgium (also responsible for Britain): +322 345 74 32.
• Mali Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 1501.
• Mali Embassy, Tokyo, Japan (also responsible for Australia): +81 3 5447 6881.
• Mali Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 7464/0676.
• Mali Embassy, Tokyo, Japan (also responsibe for New Zealand): +81 3 5447 6881.

Emergency

Emergencies: 18 (Police); 15 (Ambulance).

Language

French is the official language in Mali, but Bambara is spoken by 80% of the population. Numerous other African languages are also spoken. Outside the bigger towns few people speak French, and hardly anyone speaks English.

Currency

The official currency in Mali is the West African CFA Franc (XOF), which is divided into 100 centimes. The CFA franc is tied to the Euro. Foreign currency and travelers checks can be exchanged at banks in Bamako. French francs and euro are the easiest to exchange. Banks are closed on weekends. ATMs are only available in Bamako and only accept Visa cards. Major credit cards, usually Visa, are accepted in some hotels and restaurants in the capital, but credit cards in general are not widely used in Mali.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Plug types used are round pin attachment plugs.

Communications

The international dialing code for Mali is +223. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are not required. There are two mobile telephone operators. Outgoing international calls are made through an international operator. Internet cafes are common in Bamako, and a few are present in other towns.

Duty-Free

There is free import of 1,000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 2kg of tobacco, 2 bottles of alcohol, and perfume for personal use. Sporting guns are allowed as long as authorization from the Customs Department in Bamako is acquired within 24 hours of arrival.

Tourist Office

Mali Tourist Office, Bamako: +223 20 22 5673

Embassies in Mali

• United States Embassy, Bamako: +223 20 70 2300.
• British Embassy, Bamako: +223 2021 3412.
• Canadian Embassy, Bamako (also responsible for Australia): +223 20 21 2236.
• South African Embassy, Bamako: +223 20 29 2925.

Mali Embassies Abroad

• Mali Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 332 2249.
• Mali Embassy, Brussels, Belgium (also responsible for Britain): +322 345 74 32.
• Mali Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 1501.
• Mali Embassy, Tokyo, Japan (also responsible for Australia): +81 3 5447 6881.
• Mali Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 7464/0676.
• Mali Embassy, Tokyo, Japan (also responsibe for New Zealand): +81 3 5447 6881.

Emergency

Emergencies: 18 (Police); 15 (Ambulance).

Language

French is the official language in Mali, but Bambara is spoken by 80% of the population. Numerous other African languages are also spoken. Outside the bigger towns few people speak French, and hardly anyone speaks English.

Currency

The official currency in Mali is the West African CFA Franc (XOF), which is divided into 100 centimes. The CFA franc is tied to the Euro. Foreign currency and travelers checks can be exchanged at banks in Bamako. French francs and euro are the easiest to exchange. Banks are closed on weekends. ATMs are only available in Bamako and only accept Visa cards. Major credit cards, usually Visa, are accepted in some hotels and restaurants in the capital, but credit cards in general are not widely used in Mali.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Plug types used are round pin attachment plugs.

Communications

The international dialing code for Mali is +223. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are not required. There are two mobile telephone operators. Outgoing international calls are made through an international operator. Internet cafes are common in Bamako, and a few are present in other towns.

Duty-Free

There is free import of 1,000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 2kg of tobacco, 2 bottles of alcohol, and perfume for personal use. Sporting guns are allowed as long as authorization from the Customs Department in Bamako is acquired within 24 hours of arrival.

Tourist Office

Mali Tourist Office, Bamako: +223 20 22 5673

Embassies in Mali

• United States Embassy, Bamako: +223 20 70 2300.
• British Embassy, Bamako: +223 2021 3412.
• Canadian Embassy, Bamako (also responsible for Australia): +223 20 21 2236.
• South African Embassy, Bamako: +223 20 29 2925.

Mali Embassies Abroad

• Mali Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 332 2249.
• Mali Embassy, Brussels, Belgium (also responsible for Britain): +322 345 74 32.
• Mali Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 1501.
• Mali Embassy, Tokyo, Japan (also responsible for Australia): +81 3 5447 6881.
• Mali Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 7464/0676.
• Mali Embassy, Tokyo, Japan (also responsibe for New Zealand): +81 3 5447 6881.

Emergency

Emergencies: 18 (Police); 15 (Ambulance).