French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages

Muslim 90%, Christian 1%, indigenous beliefs 9%

Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert and with a highly unequal distribution of income. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger.

Malian Armed Forces:  Army, Republic of Mali Air Force (Force Aerienne de la Republique du Mali, FARM), National Guard

A passport and visa are required. All travelers must have international vaccination cards with a current yellow fever immunization. Travelers should obtain the latest visa information and entry requirements from the Republic of Mali Embassy at 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 332-2249. Inquiries can be made at the nearest Malian embassy or consulate. Visit the Embassy of Mali website for the most current visa information. Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information Sheet.

Airports:  29, Airports w/paved runways:  9

Bamako – Senou International Airport (BKO/GABS)
Bamako Airport, Mali, BP 230, Senou, Bamako, MALI
Tel: +223 (0)20.46.26, +223 (0)20.27.01
Fax: +223 (0)20.65.62
Website:  www.adm.org.ml
Customs, hours: 24 hours
Tel: +223 (0)20.43.38

US Dept. of State Travel Warning, updated 31 August 2009.  Please visit the Dept of State website for complete details at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4566.html.

he US Department of State warns US citizens of the risk of travel to Mali and that Al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) may use the Islamic month of Ramadan as an opportunity to conduct further attacks against Americans and other foreign nationals. Faith-based organizations, regardless of location, may be particularly targeted. The Department of State also continues to recommend against all travel to the north of the country due to the kidnapping threats against Westerners. This replaces the Travel Warning for Mali dated June 2, 2009, to update security and threat information. 

As noted in the Department of State's Worldwide Caution dated July 29, 2009, the Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has been designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union, and has declared its intention to attack Western targets. AQIM has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of two Canadian diplomats in Niger in December 2008, the kidnapping of four European tourists in January 2009 on the Mali-Niger border, the murder of a British hostage in Mali in June 2009, the murder of an American citizen in Mauritania in June 2009, and, most recently, the suicide-bombing of the French Embassy in Mauritania on August 8, 2009.

In addition to threats posed by AQIM and potential hostage takers, confrontations between the Malian military and Tuareg rebel groups occurred in Nampala along Mali’s frontier with Mauritania in December 2008 and in the region of Kidal in January 2009. The threat posed by AQIM, continued Tuareg unrest, sporadic banditry, and the porous nature of Mali’s northern borders with Algeria, Niger, and Mauritania all reinforce longstanding security concerns affecting travel to northern Mali. 

The Department of State notes that the US Embassy in Bamako has designated northern regions of Mali as "restricted without prior authorization” for purposes of travel by US Government employees, contractors, grantees and their dependents. Prior to traveling to these areas US Government employees in Mali are required to have the written approval of the US Ambassador to Mali. This designation is based on the presence of AQIM as well as Tuareg rebel activity. This restriction does not apply to travelers not associated with the US Government, but should be taken into account when planning travel. The restriction is in effect for the following areas: 

• The region of Kidal;
• Areas north and east of the town of Gao, including along the road to Ansongo;
• Timbuktu and all points further north. 

All US citizens residing or traveling in Mali are urged to register with the Department of State or the US Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, US citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The US Embassy is located at ACI 2000 at Rue 243, Porte 297. The Embassy's mailing address is B.P. 34, Bamako, Mali. The telephone number is (223) 2070-2300. The consular fax number is (223) 2070-2340. The Embassy webpage is http://mali.usembassy.gov. 

Updated information on travel and security in Mali may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside of the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

Infant MR total: 105.65 deaths/ 1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:  TOTAL 49.51 years (male 47.6/ female 51.46)

Required: Yellow Fever

Recommended: Malaria, Hep A & B, Meningococcal, Rabies, Typhoid
Boosters: MMR, DPT, polio

Malaria risk throughout all of Mali.

Dengue Fever, Filariasis, Leishmaniasis, and Onchocerciasis (river blindness) are other diseases carried by insects that also occur in West Africa. African trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness) has increased in Africa (low levels are found in Mali), and an increase in travelers has been noted since 2000. Schistosomiasis can be contracted in fresh water in this region. Poliomyelitis. Polio- outbreaks were reported in several previously polio-free countries in Central, Eastern, and Western Africa beginning in 2003.

Medical facilities in Mali are limited, especially outside of the capital, Bamako. Psychiatric care is non-existant.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) has been found in poultry populations in several countries in Africa. Avoid all direct contact with birds, including domestic poultry (such as chickens and ducks) and wild birds, and avoid places such as poultry farms and bird markets where live birds are raised or kept.

Country Calling Code:  +223
Internet Country Code:  .ml