Health

When traveling to Mali you'll need vaccinations against yellow fever, diphteria, hepatitis-A, typhoid fever and tetanus. Also, see your doctor for malaria prevention.

The tap water can be unsafe to drink. It is recommended to drink bottled water and to avoid ice cubes unless you're sure they're made from bottled water.

Because of the high temperatures in Mali it is not recommended for pregnant women, children under 12 and people over 75 to travel around. If you use medication, please be sure to bring enough for your stay as you may not be able to get prescriptions or specific medication.

There are good doctors in Djenné, However, (good) dentists are difficult to find.

Visa

Except for French citizens, a visa is required for Mali. The cost is approximately € 30,-. EU-citizens can obtain one at the airport. However, it is recommended to make visa arrangements prior to your departure. At Bamako airport only 5-day entry stamps are available, which means you will have to apply for a tourist visa if you stay longer than five days. This process takes at least two days, even longer when a weekend is included.

Make sure your passport is valid for at leat six more months after your departure, and that it has sufficient blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

List of Malian embassies and consulates

Money

The local currency is the CFA-Franc (Communauté Financière Africain: céfa), which is also used in a few other West African countries. An amount of 100 CFA is worth approximately € 0,15, thus € 1,- is approximately 675 CFA.

Cash money (Euros and sometimes US dollars) can be changed in Djenné. Travelers' cheques aren't widely accepted and when they are, the offered exchange rates can be inferior.

There's only one bank in Djenné. You can change Euros there, but it does not have an ATM. Be sure to cash your traveler's cheques, change money and/or visit the ATM at the airport. In Mali, credit card payments are not possible. The Sandcastle only accepts cash payment and bank transfer payments in advance.

top