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