LANGUAGE
The official language is French, but the Bambara is spoken by 80% of the population, while the rest speaks many different African languages.

RELIGION
Islam (80%), Animistics Religions (18%) and Christianism (1,2%)

TIME
GMT.

CURRENCY
The official currency is the Franc CFA. The aproximate exchange rate is: 1000 F CFA = 1.5 euros

ELECTRICIDAD
220 V, 50Hz in Bamako.

TELEPHONE, FAX...
For internationals calls dial 00 and the country code, which is 223. (You may need and operator for this). There are two companies for mobile telephones. Please consult availability with your national supplier.

Telex: Can be sent from the Central Telex Office in Bamako and from the main hotels.
Post office: In main towns. The mail to Europe takes approximately two weeks.

DOCUMENTATION
It is necessary to bring passport and visa. Visas can be obtained from the Embassy of Mali in each country. They last a month and are renewable.
Embassy of Mali in Paris: Rue du Cherche-Midi, 89 - Tel. 0033 45485843 - 75006 Paris.

HOW TO GET TO MALI
By air:
Air France flights from Paris and Royal Air Maroc from Casablanca.
The international airport is Bamako (BKO) at 15 Km from the city (20 minutes). There are bus and taxi. You need to pay a tax to leave (free for children).

Railway:
There is a bi-weekly service from Bamako to Dakar (Senegal), with air conditioning, beds, car transport, and restaurant.

Road:
The conections are good with Cotê d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. The transsharian route to Algeria is dangerous. It also be a road that conect with Senegal and Guinea.

Bus:
Services between Kankan (Guinea) and Bamako, as well as between Bobo Dioulasso (burkina Faso) and Ségou and Mopti and Niamey (Niger) to Gao.

HEALTH
You need to take some precautions against malaria and yellow fever. It is also recomended to take precautions against hepatitis A and B, tifoid fever and tetanus.
Usually water is not drinkable. It is recommended to drink bottled water or to use tablets for water treatment.

CLOTHES
It is recomended to travel with fresh and light clothes and comfortable shoes. At sunset time, you are advised to cover all your body to avoid mosquito bites.
It is very important to protect your head from sun and to use sun glasses.

SAFETY
Although there is no reason for alarm, caution should always be exercised. It is very important to travel with appropriate equipment and to avoid travelling alone.

It is recomended to travel always in the company of experienced guides.