MALI (information) stay: 2004/Mar/3..2004/Mar/31 general view ********************************************** There are much places of interests. But the problem is that they are hard to reach by public transportation. You'd better think they require tips every time. For example just asking the way, they require money. Because of the dust, zips don't work well or break down. Friday is a holiday because of Islam. I got a MALI visa at Nouakchott (MAURITANIA) / UM? (refer to '****.doc') climate ********************************************** Dry and hot while I had been. You need a few litre of water per a day. money ********************************************** *$1= CFA500..525 / reference: 1euro=CFA655.9570 (fixed exchange rate system) in TOGO, BENIN You can exchange even though in a remote area, but Bamako is better rate. *I haven't seen ATM. accommodation ********************************************** They have enough parking space as long as there's no note in the following. But the security is your own responsibility. in Kayes Centre d'Accueil de Jeunesse tent2000, room ? / shared toilet&shower, bar in Kita ISSA DIALLO tent2000, room ? / shared toilet&shower, bar&restaurant in Bamako (capital) Mission Libanaise tent2500, D2500 / shared toilet&shower, shared refrigerator Much mosquitos are there. In the dorm there are mosquito nets. in Djenne Chez Baba tent2250, room ? / shared toilet&shower, bar&restaurant in Sevare Annexe Hotel Oasis tent2500, room ? / shared toilet&shower in Bandiagara Hotel village tent2000, room ? / shared toilet&shower, bar&restaurant in Timbuktu Camping Tin Battou (spell?) tent ?, room ? / shared toilet&shower in Gao Camping Bamga tent1500, room ? / shared toilet&shower You can sleep on the roof watching stars without a tent. in Menaka house of ASSIMAK (a private house) tent, room free? (They said "it's free", but required money later.) They serve meals. The toilet&shower is there. There is no accommodation in this town. Ask the people, and you can find his house easily. town ********************************************** in Bamako (capital) NIGERIA embassy single 1 month, validity for entry 3 months, photo ?, CFA17,500, issue: the next day Cote d'Ivoire embassy 5 countries visa (covered with TOGO, BENIN, NIGER, BURKINA FASO, Cote d'Ivoire) validity 2 months (not each country), CFA25,000, photo ?, issue: the next day Be careful! He requires different (expensive) price. in Mopti Police Control (visa extension); CFA5000/month in Bandiagara There is an Internet-cafe, but expensive. DOGON trekking The guide fee is expensive. In addition to that, they take much rests on the way for stalling for time (daily wages). There was a tourist who went there without a guide (You can do it!). You don't have to worry about losing your way because the main road is clear, though it's difficult to trekk the side road. The problem is how to scatter the people who insist to hire a guide or to pay a village tax. On the way you may camp between the villages. You can drive your vehicle on the main road (earth road) almost. It's good idea to make a day trip to the north and south by your vehicle from Bandiagara. in Timbuktu There is a bank. On Friday is close. in Gao ALGERIA embassy; He can speak English frequently. I couldn't get a visa here. ferry (Niger river has no bridge near the town.);1000, Tomb of the Askia(admission);1000, mosque(admission);1000 in Menaka There is a monument of "KAMION'YU TAKASHI". He Japanese tried to pass the SAHARA desert by camel, but died on the way. It is near the water tower on a hill. It's not difficult to find it. Mr. Arue Suler (spell?), who lives here arranged the camel and so on to him on that time. You can see him. border ********************************************** Diboli(Dibodi?) (entry from 'Kidira', SENEGAL); No money is required. The immigration is apart from the main road. Menaka (leaving for 'Bani-Bang', NIGER,); No money is required. The immigration and customs are in a small village. road ********************************************** Pavement is the main road between Bamako and Gao. Diboli(border)--Kayes[about 100km]; ruts and dust road. It becomes zero visibility because of the dust. *Uran Road (Kayes-Kita-Bamako) Kayes--Kita[377km]; earth, deep sand, rocks, many branches ... variety of road conditions and views. Kita-Bamako[198km]; much dust *the north side road (Kayes-Nioro-Bamako) (by hearsay) It seems to be easier to drive than Uran Road. Segou--Dioro--Djenne; flat earth, washboard, many branches, Djenne--(back road)--Mopti; flat earth, many branches / The road will crosses a big river. 4WD could pass, but I gave up and turned back. Bamdiagara--(back road)--Douentza; earth, rocks, many branches / After Ningari the rocks becomes bigger then I cannot help to turn back. Gao--Menaka[327km]; Gao--(washboard)--Ansongo--(flat earth)--Menaka Menaka--(border); rough earth ************************************************************ (End) (English Home) http://www.seagulljapan.info/index2.html / (Japanese Home) http://www.seagulljapan.info/index.html All Rights Reserved: (c) seagull (seagulljapan@gmail.com) Copying is free as far as my copyright is specified. That's welcome to leave the copy at accommodations.