PICKPOCKETS, THIEVERY, HUSTLERS, AND SCAMMERS
Keep in mind that Mali is a poor country where many hustlers and other characters (mainly idle young men) in urban areas wander the streets and target tourists who look wealthy. You'll initially encounter these characters as soon as you leave the airport terminal building in Bamako.
Be especially careful with your passport and wallet when walking the busy streets and markets of such cities as Bamako and Mopti.
Avoid wearing jewelry and carrying expensive handbags and cameras. You could become a target of pickpockets.
In fact, you may feel uncomfortable walking the streets since you may be approached by friendly and not-so-friendly strangers who may appear menacing and not well intentioned toward your well being. Most of these characters are harmless idle young men whose specialize in panhandling and scamming.
You'll feel safer in such public places if you're accompanied by a local guide who can provide you with some degree of protection from such hustlers. If nothing else, your guide should become your personal bodyguard to ward off unwelcome advances. Your degree of psychological security will increase accordingly. It may be good to be a little paranoid in such places.
The U.S. Department of State issues this warning on crime in Mali:
Violent crime in Mali is infrequent, but petty crimes, such as pickpocketing and simple theft, are common in urban areas. Passports and wallets should be closely guarded when in crowded outdoor areas and open-air markets. Individuals traveling on the Bamako-Dakar railroad are advised to be vigilant for pickpockets, especially at night. Criminals will not hesitate to use violence if they encounter resistance on the part of their victim. There are sporadic reports of nighttime robberies occurring on the roads outside of the capital; tourists should not drive outside of Bamako at night. Travelers should stay alert, remain in groups and avoid poorly lit areas after dark.
TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY
Like many other countries, in Mali the biggest danger is being involved in an automobile accident. So watch where you walk, drive defensively, hire experienced drivers and guides, and be very observant of your surroundings.
The U.S. Department of State issues this traffic and road warnings for American citizens:
U.S. citizens traveling by road in Mali should exercise caution. Mali has paved roads leading from Bamako to Segou, Mopti, and Sikasso. During the rainy season from mid-June to mid-September, some unpaved roads may be impassable. On many roads outside of the capital, deep sand and ditches are common. Four-wheel drive vehicles with spare tires and emergency equipment are recommended. Nighttime driving is particularly hazardous and not recommended.
Drivers drive on the right-hand side of the road in Mali. Speed limits range from 40-60 KM per hour (25-40 miles per hour) within towns to 100 KM per hour (60 miles per hour) between cities. Road conditions often require lower speeds.
Due to safety concerns, we recommend against the use of motorbikes, van taxis, and public transportation. Excessive speeds, poorly maintained vehicles, lack of street lighting and livestock pose serious road hazards. Many vehicles are not maintained well, and headlights are either extremely dim or not used.
Driving conditions in the capital of Bamako can be particularly dangerous due to limited street lighting, the absence of sidewalks for pedestrians, and the number of motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles.
If you are driving to Timbuktu, you are well advised to do so with a 4WD and experienced driver who knows how to best navigate this rough sandy track through the Sahel. The same is true for visiting Dogon country. The roads are very rough and require both a good vehicle and experienced driver.
WOMEN AND SAFETY
Although it seldom occurs, some female travelers have reported being subjected to harassment when traveling in Mali.
Women may want to read Her Own Way: A Woman's Guide to Safe and Successful Travel, which is prepared by the Canadian government and can be downloaded free of charge by clicking on the title.
Pregnant women should heed local health warnings.
HEALTH WARNINGS
Mali has some major health issues you need to be aware of and take the necessary precautions to avoid ending up in the local health care system. The number one issue for tourists is malaria. Mali has a very high incidence of malaria.
Since you don't want to get this debilitating disease, be sure to consult with a health care professional about taking anti-malarial drugs before arriving in Mali and use mosquito repellents and mosquito nets where necessary.
You also are well advised to update your international health card with inoculations relating to yellow fever, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A, and diphtheria.
Pregnant women may want to postpone visiting Mali because of the prevalence of malaria and yellow fever. Proof of yellow fever inoculation is necessary to get a visa to visit Mali.
Take sensible precautions with food and drinks. Hygiene standards are not good, and water quality is questionable.
Dine at restaurants recommended for tourists and drink bottled water and packaged drinks. And do carry anti-diarrhetic medication just in case you get a bout of diarrhea.
You may want to check your medical insurance to make sure you have international coverage, including evacuation insurance.
The U.S. Department of State issues these warnings relating to health issues in Mali:
Medical facilities in Mali are limited, especially outside of the capital, Bamako. Psychiatric care is non-existent. The U.S. Embassy in Bamako maintains a list of physicians and other health care professionals who may see U.S. citizen patients.
Many American medicines are unavailable; French medications are more easily found. Available medications can be obtained at pharmacies throughout Bamako, and are usually less expensive than those in the U.S.
Travelers should carry with them an adequate supply of needed medicines and/or prescription drugs, along with copies of the prescriptions, including the generic name for the drugs.
Caution should be taken to avoid purchasing potentially dangerous counterfeit medications when buying on the local market in Mali.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC's website at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx.
For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
We also recommend checking out the Mali medical section on mdtravelhealth.com:
www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/africa/mali.html
NEWS AND ALERTS
For the latest news developments on Mali, including safety alerts and latest developments, you may want to sign up for Google's alerts by going to this website: www.google.com/alerts.
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