Mosques built of mud, the city of Timbuktu, camel caravans, the ancient city of Gao, the market in Bamako

Mali has a zonal arrangement of changing climatic conditions, where there are two climatic zones - tropical climate in the north and equatorial in the south, and is further divided into dry and moist on the same afternoon.

The climate is humid equatorial in the south of Mali - an annual rainfall of 1 400 mm. There exists a rainy season that lasts from May to October. Temperatures are high, and their fluctuations during the year a small. Average yearly temperature is 27 ° C in the warmest month of April is about 32 ° C, and the coldest month of January at 25 ° C.

Further north, the climate is dry and the rainy season is shortened to three summer months. There are two rainy seasons several weeks during the period June - August, in the region of Timbuktu is only one season in July and August, which lasts up to one month. The annual rainfall is 1 000 mm in Bamako, approximately 800 cities in the region of Segou, lying on the Niger. In the region of Timbuktu, where the equatorial atmosphere, becoming dry tropical; year only 200 mm falls. Timbuktu itself lies on the edge of the Sahara, and the rain (the episodic nature) instantly fall irregularly in a very short one-month period.

Tropical climate, which is a dry variety begins approximately in the region of Timbuktu. In this region rainfall is very low, up to 200 mm. On the north curve of the Niger, rainfall is zmieniejszają. The northern part of the country cehuje bezdeszczowymi periods, even several years trawającymi. Temperatures are very high. In the summer reaches 40 ° C and even 52 ° C. In the winter and only about 18-20 ° C. Nights are cold, with declines to 0 ° C

Fields belonging to podrównikowego dry climate, are often haunted by droughts, which are of great concern, adding that the country is among the poorest in the world.

Three seasons, which vary depending on the latitude. The rainy season occurs from June to October, reducing its operations farther north. Cooler season is October-February, followed by extremely hot, dry summer until June.

Mali is inhabited by many tribes, which in turn represent the many cultures. The main tribes are the Bambara, Songhai, Sarakolowie, Peul, Senufo, Bobo, Minyankowie, Tuareg, Bella, Moors, Bozo, Samonowie, Sorkowie, Dogon people, Malinke.

Although it is one of the world's poorest countries, Mali long functioned as the limit of the northern and western Africa and has developed a rich tradition. Situated between the Arab north and black African peoples to the south, has for centuries a meeting place for cultural. Music and dance are the most common cultural activities and they are a particularly rich heritage of the tribes among the Malinke and Songhajów. Bambara tribes and lead the pile of wood carving. Masks, sculptures, stools, and objects used in worship animists are just some of their products.

People are usually very nice and hospitable. There is no problem to talk to them, find out interesting things or drop them a cup of tea. Do not worry, you can photograph people, after an earlier request for permission. Be careful to shoot the children, because after a while their number is growing, and escape from the crowd is getting serious, especially since often try to extort money or other gifts.

Main religion is Islam (90%). Part of this Malijczyków animists, Christians and followers of other religions.

Welcoming people is very important. It should become accustomed to greetings in French, or better, in Bambara. Vendors should be treated in an appropriate manner, even if we buy from them only fruit or bread. It is very important to show interest in the caller, so it is polite to ask about family, work, children, etc.. In Mali, people do not run for passing time, so do not worry niesprawdzającymi a bus schedule, and even more upset and try to do something.

Bambara (80% of the population), Malinke, senufo, sarakole, Dogon, Arabic.

Lack of clear information. But this is only a very small percentage of large cities.

46.4% (2003)

In the depths of the country may be hard to communicate well in French, and in some places even Bambara is seldom used.

VISA, PROVISIONS OF ENTRIES. Polish citizens are valid for travel visas and residence permits. Polish citizens, like citizens of other EU countries where no diplomatic representation of Mali, can obtain visas at the airport in Bamako. The passport must be valid at least 6 months. A visa can be extended for a place at the right office. Not required to show funds for the stay, but needs to have about. $ 70 per day.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS. Same as in European countries. The local currency, ie the XOF franc, applies in 8 countries of the UEMOA - West African Economic and Monetary Community (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo) and its exports from these countries is officially prohibited. In practice, the prohibition applies to larger sums, the equivalent of several hundred USD. There is no possibility of a VAT refund.

Lack of facilities in Poland. The closest location:

Embassy of the Republic of Mali
Novokouznetskaya 11
113184 Moscow
tel. (0-0 7 095) 951 06 55, 951 27 84
Fax: (0-0 7 095) 230 28 89
E-mail: amalirus@orc.ru

Lack of Polish diplomatic. Ambassador of Poland in Dakar (Senegal), and in Algiers (Algeria) is also accredited in the Republic of Mali. There is only a consulate of Poland.

Polish Consulate in Bamako
Honorary Consul, Mamoudou Garba Samassekou (Asystent. French, English)
Ravel, PMI Centrale Bamako Rue 360, Mali
Porte 320, BP. 1941 Bamako, Mali
Tel: (00-223) 222-64-72
Fax: (00-223) 222-30-33

Visa holders are exempted from the meldunkowego.

Compliance with the rules for entry and no time limit of validity.

Do not use a local travel agency offers enticing tourists facilitation in dealing with formalities. They are expensive, and acquire the necessary documents on your own is not difficult.

Malian visa can also get in Mauritania:
Embassy of the Republic of Mali
Zeina Tevragh
Boîte Postale 5371
Nouakchott
Mauritania
Phone: (+222) 5254078, 5254081
Fax: (+222) 5254083

The level of medical care in private surgeries and clinics in major cities is satisfactory. Medical consultation costs from EUR 15 per stay in hospital have to pay about. 60 euros per night (the sum of the need to add costs of medication, specialized studies and treatments). Hot and dry climate which prevails in Mali from September to February, is especially dangerous for people with cardiovascular disorders.

You can purchase travel insurance in a number of Polish insurance companies and travel agencies.

Ambulance: 15 (from landlines)

Before the trip, read the current epidemiological situation. The risk of Snail fever is very high, for this reason advised against swimming in the water reservoirs and in rivers (number of cases reported in the area of Banani in the tank and the Dogon country near Sibi Bamako - the two places are located on busy tourist routes). There is a malaria risk. Please observe rules of hygiene tropical, drink raw water, eat fruit from the peel.

Due to the significant deterioration in the security situation in the northern regions of the country, especially in the provinces of Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal, advised against traveling to these areas. In this part of Mali, there is a high risk of kidnappings of foreigners. Planning to travel should use the services of travel agencies and moving in large groups or airplane travel (Bamako has no connection to the cities in the north of the country: Timbuktu, Menaka, Kidal). Bamako is considered a fairly safe city. Avoid hiking alone through the city, especially after nightfall.

Currently, no serious conflicts in the international arena. (2009)

Police: 18

Mali Tour Desk,

Bamako: +223 222 5673, www.officetourisme-mali.com

Due to frequent theft of documents it is recommended to store them in a safe place and carry a photocopy of your passport. It is recommended to check in only to officially registered taxis (they are marked with a red sticker with the ID number).

Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Senegal - all border crossing points open.

Air France years on 24 hours a day non-stop from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Bamako (and back). Royal Air Maroc is a bit cheaper than Air France and organizes daily flights from Europe and New York for Casablanca in Morocco. There are also smaller companies such as Point Afrique, cheap to fly to and from Mali during the tourist season. Both Air France and RAM, unfortunately, they arrive and depart in the middle of the night - even low-budget trip planning worth paying for a nice hotel on the first night, which we will be dowiezieni from the airport.

Air Mauritius, Tunisair, Air Afriqiyah, and many other lines have to offer flights to Mali from within the continent. Some of these airlines also have connections to Mopti.

The airport is twenty minutes drive from downtown Bamako. Are set fixed rates for taxis in various parts of the city: you can find them on the other side of the road from the airport and go right at the end of the block kiosks. This brings up a group of taxi drivers and an array of prices. As of August 2007, the price is 7,500 francs CFA (about. USD $ 15). However, if you know the local language enough, you can haggle the official price of up to 4,000 or even 3,000 francs CFA, especially if you're going to go during the day.

There is only one railway line operates between Bamako and Dakar (Senegal). Runs 2x a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:15. Scheduled trip lasts 29h.

You can get to Mali by bus from many African cities, inter alia, from Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, with Akru in Ghana, Lome in Togo and Senegal, Dakar. You can get a bus to Mali from Europe, visiting more countries on the way. Not only has connections with the West Sachar to Mauritania, where you can catch rate, however (mostly stop Mauritanian traders).

There are several ways to get to Mali by car.

In Senegal and Mauritania, there is no asphalt road to Mali, so the 4x4 drive is highly recommended.

In the past, the most commonly used route was paved road from the port of Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire. But since the rebellion in September 2002, midnight in that country was under rebel control. In April 2004, the road was in poor condition, often encountered a rebel blockade, the trip was risky. Most of the obstacles could be overcome with humor and 100F CFA, but not control young people with automatic weapons to induce terror.

There are also a good transition from the land of Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ghana.

By boat

Mali has two major rivers, which can swim at least part of the year, both of which also flow through the neighboring countries.

* Senegal River flows into Mali from Guinea to the south and follows the course to the northwest of Senegal.

* Niger flows through Mali, but Guinea and Niger was. Please note that large vessels are active in the months August-November.

It is possible to travel through the plane of Mali, in recent years, many companies. You can fly (usually from Bamako) to cities such as Mopti, Timbuktu, Kayes, Yelimané, Gao, Kidal, Sadiola and others.

Airplanes are typically Czech LET-410s and small Russian jets (Yakovlev Yak-40s). Air travel in Mali is fast, but compared to the bus, dear. But it is not reliable - often we are doomed at the mercy of the carrier, who may not choose to fly on a given day, if not enough passengers to redeem a ticket! You can get tickets at the airport before the flight, but it is best to book tickets in advance.

Société Transport Aérienne (STA) and Société Avion Express (SAE), the two most popular and most reliable airlines in Mali.

There is only one railway line operates between Bamako and Dakar (Senegal), and therefore travel within the country by train is not possible.

The main cities along the concrete road to the north is connected through the bus (Bamako, Segou, Mopti San GAO). A separate paved loop runs to the south (Bamako, Bougouni, Sikasso, Koutiala, Segou) There are many different companies with different schedules, but they all have roughly the same price. Normally a trip to Mopti (600 km, halfway up), it takes about nine hours and the trip to Gao at least 12. Estimated travel times are provided by the carriers, but it can be taken very loosely, the more that buses break down and require repairs on the route or stop to help other buses. Usually you can book a ticket for a few days back and is not recommended during the tourist season. It's reliable carriers m.in.Bittar, Bani and Banimonotie (Sikasso Region).

You can rent a car in the hotels and rentals. But it is not cheap. You can not rent a car for yourself, you must also pay the driver. If you borrow a car for a few days, the driver must pay for accommodation etc. Price per day car rental is about € 40

Driving your own car, be cautious of slippery (sand) side of the road, and many old cars on the road touring. But there is no problem with driving 4x4 car for Mali. On concrete and asphalt roads, cars are moving fast, but on the desert road speed not exceeding 40km / h.

Hitchhiking

You can try to hitch-hiking tour of Mali, the driver will be happy to stop, but usually have to pay for this trip (of course, cheaper than a bus). It is also frequented route to choose, because in some areas can not find a single passing car throughout the day.

LODZ

After Mali, you can also move the Niger. You can buy tickets for flights between cities (Gao to Mopti ok. € 25)

You can find many internet cafes, but only in places where tourists attend. Prices per hour of Internet use varies between € 0.5 - € 1

Post offices work only in big cities. Waiting time for the air parcel to Europe is about 2 weeks.

CFA franc (XOF) (Frank Central Africa)

Most carry U.S. dollars and euros and francs on exchange (in the big cities in banks or at fairs, in small towns at the fair, or not at all)

• 1.5 lt bottle of water = 500 CFA
• 1 banana = 75 CFA
• 5 mangoes = 75 CFA
• Yogurt 1 = 75 CFA
• A penknife GFA = 500
• Taxis from the 'National Museu' to 'Great Mosque' = 1000 CFA
• 1 Spaghetti with tomato sauce in the 'Restaurant de la Paix' = 800 CFA
• A salad in the 'Restaurant de la Paix' = 500 CFA
• 1l unleaded petrol = 640 CFA
• 1 liter of diesel = 560 CFA

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Mali in this regard is well-developed country. In the cities there are plenty of shops, markets, bazaars, and people trading in the streets. Rarely, there are a scam.

Traditional masks Bambara, Dogon and the nations Malinka, sculptures, original articles of ebony and brass, fabrics and mats, gold and silver jewelry, ceramics Ségou Region. Timbuktu, is a good center of iron and copper, including swords, daggers and traditional household utensils.

Exchange offices are located in banks, you can also change money at the fair (to be exact count). Realistically speaking, the only acting credit card is a VISA. ATMs can be found only in large cities.

In the cities there are many hotels in different price categories and quality. Be sure to see the peace through accommodation and inquire about the availability of water and electricity (electricity and water often end with a 22 and act on such. 6 am).

Hostels in less than meets the private accommodation. In Bamako, Timbuktu, and a few larger cities, hostels can be considered as a less expensive hotels, such as offering. shared bathroom and shared dormitories (eg. for 12 people.)

Lack of clear information, preferably not occur.

Private accommodation. You can sleep in them already for € 3. An alternative is to rent space on the roof of the house, or hotel. It is often the practice, the low-budget travelers. Just a few dollars, lightweight sleeping bag and mosquito net that's nice and quiet to spend the night. Should be prepared for pobódkę for prayer in the early morning. However, this is a very interesting form of accommodation, you can admire the beautiful views in the morning and the incredible night sky.

Hotels between $ 50-100, hostels and private accommodation from $ 3-15. Overnight on the roof of the building $ 2-5.

Keep booking expensive hotels on the Internet. At the airport in Bamako, you can also use the so-called offer. "Touts" offering hotel accommodation.

Malian cuisine is essentially based on maize, millet, rice and barley, which can be served with a wide range of sauces. The most famous sauces are sauces, peanut, baobab leaves, fresh leaves ziemniaka.Mięsa and vegetables can be prepared with these sauces and served with rice, couscous or kasha. Malian cuisine is also rich in protein (lamb, beef, fresh or smoked fish). The most common vegetables are tomatoes, onions and eggplant. As far as fruits are lemons, bananas, mangoes and watermelons.

Millet pancakes, omelettes with dried vegetables, meat mixture with the sauce, chilli sauce bass baked in banana and rice.

Juice of guavas, traditionally brewed in three stages Malian tea

In the cities there are many restaurants of different price categories (as in Europe). Eating on the street, however, allows a lot more interesting dishes, as well as save pieniędze because local food 'fast food' are much cheaper than those served in restaurants.

Be careful of drinking beverages with ice (ice water can contain many bacteria and impurities). In the early days of the stay should also avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

Bamako
The capital is a modern city, and educational and cultural center of Mali. The main attractions are in the market, the Botanical Garden, National Museum, the zoo and crafts center at the Maison des Artisans.

Djenne
Known as the "Jewel of the Niger, Djenne was founded in 1250. It has a beautiful mosque, the Grande Mosquée, and is one of the oldest trading cities along the trans-Saharan caravan routes. Old Djenne is about 5 km (3 miles) of Djenne, and was
ok. 250 BC. The city quickly developed into an important link in the trans-Saharan trade in gold. In the 15th and 16th centuries, became one of the centers for the dissemination of the spiritual life of Islam. Nearly 2,000 of the traditional houses built on hills (toguere) and adapted to seasonal flooding. The Old Djenne is now listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Mopti
Centre for Tourism of Mali, Mopti is located at the confluence of Bani and Niger, and is based on three islands connected dikes. There is another interesting mosque, market in the city center, Marché des Souvenirs. Surrounding the port are worth visiting.

Bandiagara
To the southeast lies Mopti Bandiagara, populated by Dogons. Guests should treat the villagers with respect. Cliffs of Bandiagara have been inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage. People are probably Dogons original inhabitants of the Niger River valley, and for thousands of years, living in villages cut into the rocks, 200 km (80 miles-) along the Bandiagara escarpment. Although most Dogons has already been transferred to the plains, the ancient villages still exist in the rocks.

Timbuktu
Timbuktu is a name that has passed into English from the home as a symbol of inaccessibility and remoteness. Wonderful camel caravan (some of which consist of more than 3000 animals), which arrive each year from salt mines Taoudenni to distribute its products throughout the Sahel can be seen right here. In the 15th century, Timbuktu was the center of a lucrative trade in salt and gold, of International trans-Saharan caravan route, and also a great center of Islamic learning. Much of this ancient city is in a state of decay, but it is a place of many beautiful mosques (Djingerebur, Sankore and Sidi Yahaya) and tombs.

Flame of Peace or the "Flamme de la Paix" is a monument of peace located in the north-west of Timbuktu, is the pustyni.Ta white design with a few guns in the actual place where more than 3,000 weapons were burned at the end of the Tuareg rebellion in the latch nineties.

The monument recalls the old problem of the Tuaregs and the government of Mali. In 1960, when Mali was given independence from France, the Tuareg people has been forgotten by the central authority in Bamako, mandated by the African leaders of another ethnic group.

Tomb of Askia - structure in the shape of a pyramid of bricks dried in Gao, Mali. The building complex with an adjacent two mosques, a cemetery and the site of assembly in 2004 was inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The tomb is considered one of the best examples of earthen buildings in traditional style building Sahel zone. It measures 17 meters in height, making it the highest building in the region przedkolonialną.

Great Mosque of Djenné in central Mali is the largest religious building in clay and the largest free-standing building with bricks dried in the world. These structures were considered to be the most important achievement sudańsko-sahelskiej architecture. Mosque is one of the most famous buildings in Africa and was in 1988 with the historic center of Djenné UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Malian National Museum (Musée National) in Bamako, with collections of traditional African masks, and hats and lion skins found in the vicinity of fault Bandiagara, where he currently resides Dogon people.

Bamako vantage point G-Point

Plateau on a hill in Bamako with a panoramic view of the city and the river Niger.

National Park Boucle du Baoulé - national park in western Mali on the surface of 3330 km ². It is located in the regions of Kayes and Koulikoro Baoulé in the basin, a tributary of the River Senegal.

La Dune Rose is a landmark in the city of Gao. Sand dunes have been so named because of their appearance at dawn and dusk.

It is also worth visiting fairs in cities. Street markets have their own unique atmosphere and spirit, at any place on Earth, they are unique and worth seeing. Malian markets are very popular among tourists.

National holidays:
Independence Day, September 22. Commemorates the restoration of independence in 1960.
Africa Day, May 25. Anniversary of the Organization of African Unity in 1963.
Liberation Day, November 19. Anniversary of the bloodless coup in 1968, in which the Modibo Keita was removed from power.
Army Day, January 20.

Other movable feast:
Korita (Id al-Fitr), Tabaski (Id al-Adha), Mouloud

Festival in the desert

7 - 9 January 2010 (annual)

Festival in the desert Essakane with artists from Mali, Mauritania and Nigeru, acting in their presentation of the dunes of the Sahara.

Mosque of Djenne

Wandering through the town of mud. Probably the strangest Mosque on our planet.

Daily intra-Islamic cultural festival (for Muslims) and outside the building.

Nightlife is vibrant actually only in the capital Bamako, where you can look at the clubs and restaurants late evening hours. There is no particular tradition, however, keep 'night life' by the people, you can meet other tourists are choosing at night downtown.

• cotton clothes, the best in hot and humid climate of Mali (in the warmer months of November-February)
• Protective headgear piaskowemu against the wind "Harmattan", which is common in the period December-March
• clothing, raincoats and umbrellas in the rainy season (June-October)
• sunglasses
• mosquito net

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• Much better to admit to any religion than identify as 'atheist'.
• Please ask before someone takes a picture.
• You can obtain the medicines for malaria, but the risk of applying the general principles of hygiene in countries at risk of malaria should be sufficient.
• Do not take pictures of buildings of institutions (government buildings, banks, etc.)
• Be sure to crush plastic bottles before discarding. This minimizes the chance of re-filling bottles by rogue traders.
• Moving should be fixed by hitchhiking with the top price for the journey and be vigilant not to get a completely different place than planned. (Preferably at a time to look at the map).
• Compulsory vaccination is yellow book. Without it, waiting for you big fines, or refusal of entry to the country.

This text had been automatically translated into English. We are currently developing it. If you would like to help, correct the descriptions using the "edit" buttons or contact us at content@travelnity.com.