A passport is required by all visitors except for certain West African countries, where identity cards will suffice.
Americans: US nationals require a passport and a visa. Also required is a return air ticket to the US, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.
UK nationals: UK nationals require a passport and a visa. Also required is a return air ticket to the UK, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.
Canadians: Canadians require a passport and a visa.
Also required is a return air ticket to
Canada, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.
Australians: Australians require a passport and a visa. Also required is a return air ticket to
Australia, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.
South Africans: South Africans require a passport and a visa. Also required is a return air ticket to
South Africa, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.
Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport and a visa. Also required is a return air ticket to
Ireland, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.
New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a passport and a visa. Also required is a return air ticket to New Zealand, or confirmed tickets and documents for an onward journey, though this is rarely enforced.
Health
All visitors are required to have a vaccination certificate for yellow fever. It is also recommended that precautions against meningitis (particularly if traveling between February and April), malaria and cholera be taken. Bottled water is available and food should be thoroughly cooked. Medical facilities are limited, especially outside of
Bamako, and basic medicines might not be available. Travelers are advised to bring a personal supply of medicines with them. Comprehensive medical insurance is essential; serious medical problems will require air evacuation outside of the country.
Safety
All travel to the regions north, east and west of
Timbuktu, as well as travel along the borders with
Niger,
Algeria and
Mauritania should be avoided due to armed banditry and the risk of kidnapping. Increased incidents of armed banditry have been reported in the
Sikasso region. Crime levels are generally low, but it is best not to show valuables in public.
