Book cheap flights to Bamako

Mali is a hot nation, and it’s like that throughout the year. Temperatures rarely drop below 20˚C except at their very coolest, and often they hover around the mid to upper 30s. As a result, temperature has little bearing on when Mali’s guests tend to swing by; however, generally speaking, July to September tends to see lower rates of tourism, since it’s the country’s rainy season. It’s a good time to swing by should you wish to avoid the crowds and get the lower hotel rates, but you’d best remember to pack a raincoat. By contrast, November to February, when the country is at its driest, but not quite its hottest, tends to see the heaviest influx of visitors.

South Africans require a visa to enter Mali. Enquiries can be made at the Malian embassy at 876 Pretorius Street, Block B, in Pretoria. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months, and that you have at least two blank pages available for stamps.

The South African embassy in Mali is located at: Batiment Diarra Hamdallaye ACI-2000 Bamako Tel: 223 2029 2925

Mali is the site of a number of mosquito-borne infections, including yellow fever and malaria; and the Centres for Disease Control recommends that all travellers receive proper immunisation against them before departing, as well as ensuring that all their routine vaccinations are up to date.

Sadly, Mali has seen a recent rise in civil unrest and religious extremism, which has increased the general level of safety risk faced by travellers. Much of the unrest manifests further north than Bamako – which is generally considered more stable due to the greater influence of international consulates within it, although instances of violence have been reported in the capital itself. So, practise caution as you enjoy your time in Bamako.

Despite the recent civil disturbances somewhat disrupting the accommodation business, Bamako still boasts a number of well-regarded establishments of varying levels of affordability and luxury, with fees ranging from under 21,000 to over 95,000 CFA Franc.

Despite its recent exponential growth, getting around Bamako remains very affordable. The chief and most popular form of transportation are the local minibus taxis, or sotramas – though finding a conductor who speaks English may prove something of a challenge. Individual cabs are also available, if ever so slightly more pricey. The local bus system is generally used chiefly for transport to other cities or towns.