Visas, Embassies & Border Crossings
Before going to Dogon, be sure to stop at the police post in Sevare and get a visa for the region, as it's required.
Robert Herzberg, USA (Feb 99)
You can get visas for Guinea and Guinea-Bissau in Banjul (The Gambia), but the Malian consul, who runs a backyard garage, no longer issues visas for his home country. If you fly into Bamako (Mali) from The Gambia you'll get the visa at the airport. Travelling on the road I arrived at the eastern border of Senegal at Kidira-Diboli, claiming the consul in Banjul had said the visa was issued at the border; they didn't have visas but fined me 5000 FCFA - US$9 - and let me in. I later got the visa in Bamako free.
Hans-Peter Hauschild, Germany (Oct 98)
The Malian consulate in Paris was an excellent place to get a visa. Visa applications (100 FF, 2 passport photos) are only accepted between 9 am and noon, but I was able to pick mine up after 4 pm on the same day (office hours are 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm). The consulate, and not the embassy, issue visas which is located at 43 Rue de Chemin Vert, Paris 75011 - metro stops : Saint Ambroise, Breuget Sabin or Voltaire.
Michael Beauchamp (Aug 97)
The Gambia, (Banjul) seemed to be a great place for getting cheap visas. For Mali I paid D 125 for a three months visa within the same day. The embassy is at the back of a petrol station which also sells fax machines.
Stephanie Hed (Jul 97)
Always ask before you photograph folks - it's the polite thing to do. Remember: no pictures of any government employees or property. Soldiers are goverment employees, as are policemen. Bridges and dams fall under the heading of government property, as do museums and official buildings of any kind. I was taken into custody and spoken to - not a terrible experience, but not necessary either. So, be careful what you photograph.
Do get all the innoculations required before you go. Yellow fever is required if you enter by air. Due to the possibility for fecal contamination in the food and water, drink only bottled and sealed mineral water, or water that has been boiled or filtered and treated. I observed good dietary and beverage safety while in West Africa, and had no ill effects. Don't wash or wade in the Niger or the Bani rivers, or any other body of water.
Credit cards and travellers' cheques are not useful in Mali, which has an almost totally cash economy, so bring French francs into the country and exchange them there.
Robert Herzberg, USA (Feb 99)
The Bamako Racecourse has gone bankrupt and is now closed. A half built concrete stand bears testimony to this and betting is on televised racing from France to various PMU Bars (Pari Mutual).
George Brigham - UK (Feb 98)
BIAO is now called BIM (Banque International Pour Le Mali). BDM charges an outrageous 5.75% commission to change French franc travellers' cheques; BIM charges a much more reasonable CFA 3450 flat fee per transaction (regardless of amount changed) but travellers' cheques are only handled before noon (or 11 am depending on the day).
Due to security problems with the guides, the Peace Corps has forbidden volunteers to travel alone into Mopti, as of June 1997.
Michael Beauchamp (Aug 97)
MALI