REPUBLIC OF MALI (continued)
Taxis
Buses and Minibuses
Rental Cars
Car and Driver
Air
Boat
Roads
Tours and Tour Groups
It's easiest to get around Mali by 4WD. However, you do have other options, which we outline in this section.
TAXIS
You'll find plenty of un-metered taxis roaming the streets of Bamako. Most are battle-worn small Mercedes and decrepit Peugeots imported as used cars from other countries.
Except when hired at the airport, taxis are relatively inexpensive. Within Bamako, a typical five- to 10-minute taxi ride costs CFA500 to CFA1,000 (US$1.20 to US$2.40).
Since taxis do not have meters, you'll need to agree on a price before getting into a cab. Since taxi drivers will often ask CFA2,000 for what should be a CFA1,000 ride, you'll need to bargain.
Outside the cities you'll find several inexpensive bush taxis and bâchées, which are usually overloaded Peugeots and converted pickup trucks, that carry passengers on short distances between towns and villages along the main roads. They are often cheaper than the long-haul buses and minibuses.
BUSES AND MINIBUSES
Several bus and minibus companies operate vehicles along the main roads. These are the least expensive and most uncomfortable ways to get around Mali. Buses and minibuses also have unpredictable schedules. Many will wait until they have enough passengers to justify moving on down the road to the next destination.
If you want to meet the locals and have lots of time to kill in the heat, buses and minibuses are the way to go!
RENTAL CARS
Several companies in Bamako, including Avis (Bamako Car Hire, Tel. 223 229 7155), offer self-drive rental cars.
However, you are well advised to leave the driving to others since signage is not good and driving conditions are not user-friendly in Mali. Most rental car companies will offer a car with driver option.
CAR AND DRIVER
Most major hotels, tour companies, and rental car agencies can arrange for a car and driver on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis. Prices will vary depending on who you use and for how long. Expect to pay at least CFA3,000 (US$7) an hour for a car and driver in the city.
If you hire a car and driver for traveling outside the city, the costs will vary depending on the type of vehicle and distance traveled.
For example, a 4WD with air-conditioning that covers 200 to 300 kilometers a day may cost CFA50,000 to CFA60,000 (US$117 to US$140) a day. It's well worth it in terms of comfort and convenience, especially when traveling off-road into Dogon country and Timbuktu.
AIR
Mali offers limited air service among its many cities and towns. Before using such services, be sure to check on the reliability of schedules.
The cities of Mopti, Gao, and Timbuktu are connected to Bamako by air service. Many visitors to Mali fly from Bamako to Timbuktu rather than make the arduous six-hour drive through the Sahel to Timbuktu.
However, since the air service to Timbuktu is notoriously unreliable - flights may or may not fly at scheduled times and some flights are unexpectedly canceled - you may want to plan an overland 4WD trip, which is much more interesting than the flight.
Both Mopti and Timbuktu are serviced by the regional airline Compagnie Aerienne du Mali.
Many smaller towns have airports with irregular service: Goundam, Kayes, Kéniéba, Koutiala, Nara, Niono, Ségou, Sikasso, and Yelimane.
BOAT
During the August-to-November rainy season large (steamer) and small (pinasses) passenger boats operate along the Niger River between Koulikoro (a port town 54 kilometers from Bamako) and Gao in the southeast. Boats can usually navigate this river until January.
Most visitors get on at Segou or Mopti. Some adventuresome travelers take a boat all the way to Kabara, the port near Timbuktu, which is a long, slow, and uncomfortable journey of three to four days.
If you have dreams of experiencing the African Queen or doing a romantic river cruise in Mali, give these boats a try. Unfortunately, you'll probably be disappointed and wish you had flown or taken a 4WD to whatever destination for which you bought your ticket.
An hour or two on an aging riverboat may be just enough. Two or three days on such a boat may be a ticket to purgatory!
ROADS
While major roads are paved and relatively uncrowded and vehicles can travel at fast speeds, these roads also are narrow and rough in spots. Drivers must be vigilant and patient, because of the frequent presence of potholes, pedestrians, animals, minibuses, horse carts, pavement bumps, and police/military checkpoints that periodically slows driving time.
Because of safety issues (lack or lighting and pedestrians and animals along roads), driving at night is highly discouraged.
Main streets in cities are paved, but most side streets are unpaved and dusty and often in disrepair. Roads and streets often overflow with pedestrians.
When it rains, the unsurfaced roads and streets become muddy and difficult to navigate.
If you plan to visit Timbuktu by road, you'll need to travel via a very rough unpaved road that eventually ends at a ferry crossing along the Niger River near Timbuktu. This trip will take about six hours and is best made by a reliable air-conditioned 4WD operated by an experienced driver familiar with local off-road driving conditions.
Saga Tours escorted us through Mali. Because of the unpredictable nature of the flight between Bamako and Timbuktu, Saga tours suggests doing the entire itinerary by land using 4WD vehicles. We also suggest this approach to Timbuktu.
After all, Timbuktu is synonymous with “the ends of the earth” - a remote destination. By taking the six-hour drive across the Sahel to Timbuktu, you experience a bit of the journey (albeit in air-conditioned comfort rather than camel caravan of the early explorers).
TOURS AND TOUR GROUPS
Several Bamako-based tour companies offer a variety of tours. We used a very experienced and competent company called Saga Tours (www.sagatours.com), which we highly recommend.
They offer customized tours for both individuals and groups. Do visit their very informative website, which includes lots of information on traveling in Mali. They also offer West African multi-country tours: www.sagatours.com/itineraries.html.
Other local tour groups include: Affala Voyages Initiatives
Palace Travel
Tara Africa Tours
Timbouctours
Several international tour companies in North America and Europe focus on Mali or include Mali as part of a West Africa tour. Some of these companies only spend a few days in Mali whereas others spend more a week or two in Mali: Adventure Center
Continent Tours
Explore
Intrepid Travel
Journeys International
Spector Travel
Travcoa
World Heritage Tours
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