Difference between revisions of "Mali"
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=Safety and Security Considerations= | =Safety and Security Considerations= | ||
==Driving at night== | ==Driving at night== | ||
| − | '' | + | ''Driving at night should be avoided. With exception of perhaps the capital Bamako there is no road lightning elsewhere. Their are lots of goats, sheep, cows and mules that might be on the roads, specially in rural areas. These animals obviously do not carry lights and accidents are a big risk. Besides that there are huge speed bumps without warning, even in daytime. But at night they are more difficult o spot. So please, park for the night when getting dark.'' |
==Vehicle parking== | ==Vehicle parking== | ||
Revision as of 02:49, 11 July 2013
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WikiOverland is growing! We have limited information about Mali right now. |
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Contents
- 1 Entering Mali with a Car or Motorbike
- 2 Driving in Mali
- 3 Gas price in Mali and Diesel price in Mali
- 4 Safety and Security Considerations
- 5 Camping in Mali
- 6 Navigation
- 7 Special Overland Travel interests
- 8 Vehicle Maintenance
- 9 Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Mali
- 10 References
- 11 Helpful External links
Entering Mali with a Car or Motorbike
Correct as of: (date last confirmed correct)
Required Paperwork
You need at least proof of ownership and a pasport, usually in the same name. Some border crossings will ask for proof of insurance, but its unusual. If you do not have a carnet-de-passage, you need minimum of 15.000 to buy a Lesė Pasé for 30 days
Process at border
(To check if you need a travel Visa for Mali, application instructions and fees see: Mali Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
Mali has one of the easiest borders in Africa.
If you are at a main border you either get your Carnet de Passage stamped or buy a lesé psé, which cost normally FCFA15,000.00 XAF.
This allows your car to be in Mali for 30 days and can be extended once, in Bamako. Usually free.
If you have a visa your passport is stamped. If you don't, you have to buy a visa also for FCFA15,000.00 XAF, but you have to get this confirmed in Bamako.
Some border officials demand FCFA1,000.00 XAF or FCFA2,000.00 XAF for a stamp. This is not official. Refusing will delay things but eventually they will stamp.
Cost of entry
If you come with a vali carnet-de-passage entry should be free. If you have to buy a so called lesé pasé it wil cost you 15.000 CFA
Permitted length of stay
State the permitted length of entry for the vehicle
Extension of stay
To extend a Lesé Pasé you wil need to visit the main custom office in Bamako BEFORE the document has expired. The office is a bit hard to find, it is in the grand marchee, i wil post Gps point shortly. There is no need to bring your vehicle. Bring the Lesé Pasé, your car papers and your pasport. Once you find the right guy, he should stamp it and you're done. There should be no charge. If you have entered on a carnet the passage and it is expiring, it might be easier to leave the country on the old carnet and re-enter on the new since the paperwork needed to get this done are complicated.
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.
Exiting with a vehicle
Describe the paperwork requirements and process at the border to exit.
Driving in Mali
Insurance requirements
Yes or No if insurance is mandatory, and what kind is acceptable.
Cost of insurance
State the price of insurance and a time period.
Where to purchase insurance
Describe where insurance can be purchased.
Driving license
State the kind of driving licenses required. i.e. International Driving Permit.
Driving side of road
Right.
RHD vehicles can be driven in Mali.
Mandatory items in vehicle
State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)
Roads
General Road quality
Give a brief description of the general road quality. Mention if one way streets are common.
Road signs
Briefly describe the overall quality & existence of road signs for directions and hazards.
Toll roads
List the frequency and approximate price of toll roads.
Bribery in Mali
As in most African countries, bribery is present through all of society. Passing through you will undoubtly encounter som forms of this. Tourist are seen as a good target since most Maliens consider any foreigner as rich. As a tourist you will mostly encounter this with police checks and or with governent officials. Usually the bribes take the form of small payments to speed things up. The police, at road checks, will often ask for a 'cadeau'. A gift. Or they wil ask for money to buy a coke or some food. Its up to you to choose wether you will accomodate but take in mind that giving will lead them asking the next tourist as well. Remember one thing, always remain cordial and friendly, even if the official might not be. A smile and a joke go way further then getting angry
More problematic are the police men who are searching for something to take your money. They will ask for your papers and once they have them, might invent some bogus violation to take your money. They prey on your patience and wil asume you do not have the patience to play the waiting game. I avoid paying these bandits. Ofcourse if I do violate the law, its a different matter but if you are sure you did not run the red light, refuse any cooperation and demand the name and identification of the officer. I have had instances where it took me some hours to get my papers back. Nowadays i carry good copies which i hand over first. So in short, if you feel the demand for money is unfair, refuse cooperation and be patient. Those in a in hurry will pay!"
Checkpoints
Most major towns wil have a checkpoint on the main acces roads. So often you will be checked going in and going out. Mostly it takes form of a wave through or a cordial question or two. Where are you from, where are you going. Often the checkpoints wil be combined police/militairy/custom. Its their job to stop and check you, so remain friendly and cordial, even if you have been asked the same questions two minutes before. The process should bequick and painless. Between major towns their are not many checkpoints, .
Traveling with pets
List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.
Gas price in Mali and Diesel price in Mali
Last updated: October 2012
Currency and unit to display:
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Unleaded | €1.40 EUR per Liter[1] |
| Diesel | €1.23 EUR per Liter[1] |
Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency
Briefly describe if gas shortages are known to occur.
Also state the approximate average distance between gas stations. This is a very rough estimate.
Gas and Diesel Quality
Discuss if gasoline / diesel considered "clean" or "dirty", and generally high or low quality.
State the sulfur content of diesel, if known.
Safety and Security Considerations
Driving at night
Driving at night should be avoided. With exception of perhaps the capital Bamako there is no road lightning elsewhere. Their are lots of goats, sheep, cows and mules that might be on the roads, specially in rural areas. These animals obviously do not carry lights and accidents are a big risk. Besides that there are huge speed bumps without warning, even in daytime. But at night they are more difficult o spot. So please, park for the night when getting dark.
Vehicle parking
Discuss if vehicles can be parked on the street, if they are considered "safe" at night. If vehicles can not be parked on the street, list the other options that exist.
Special driving considerations
A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Mali - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping in Mali
As in most of west Africa, campsites are not very common but do exist. Most major cities have hotels with big parkings and in most you are allowed to camp for a nominal fee. Ofcourse the Hotel owner hope you wil eat and drink at their facilities. There are a few campsites known. Some are no more then a fenced of piece of land, others will have some facilities but do not expect European or South African standards. Some known campsites are Sleepy Camel in Bamako, Cool Camp in Manantali.
You should be paying between CFA 2000 and 5000 per person per day..
Wildcamping is a good option when there is no campsite near. Mali is a huge country with lots of uninhabited space and it should not be hard to find a quite place to park for the night. Wildcamping is safe, as long as you keep basic safety rules in the back of your mind. Currently, it might not be a good option to wildcamp east of the Segou-Sikasso line, due to the trouble in the far Notheast of Mali in the rest of the country there should be no trouble..
Camping guide books
List and link to books specifically for camping.
Drinking water
Describe if the regular tap water is safe to drink. If not, describe where safe water can be purchased and the approximate average price range.
Paper maps
Description of the best paper maps and where to purchase them.
GPS Maps of Mali
Review different GPS companies, quality and coverage (Tomtom, Garmin, OSM, Tracks4Africa). (with links to each).
GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Mali
Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.
Special Overland Travel interests
List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders
Travel Guide Books
List good travel guide books (not necessarily Overland related.
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
Motorbikes
Local Garages
Add known good mechanics here.
Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Mali
Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle.
List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.
Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
References
Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.
Helpful External links
Add any helpful external links here.
- Mali: Visa and Passport requirements | World Travel Guide
- Health Information for Travelers to Mali - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Mali travel guides at wikivoyage
- Mali - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
