Travel advisory · MaliGovernments advise against all travel to Mali.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
Also named by one government: Outside Bamako (US), Outside Timbuktu (US), Road travel between Gao, Kidal, and Menaka (US)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | advises against all travel to the whole of Mali | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Do not travel to Mali for any reason | Jun 8, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Reisewarnung: Vor Reisen nach Mali wird gewarnt | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel (level 4 of 4) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Formellement déconseillé (tout le territoire en zone rouge) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Mali
Mali is a landlocked West African country where travelers go for the earthen Great Mosque of Djenné, the old trading city of Timbuktu and the Dogon villages on the Bandiagara Escarpment.
Mali is a large landlocked country in West Africa, with Bamako as its capital and largest city in the south. Most of the country lies in the Sahara, while most people live in the south, where the Niger and Senegal rivers flow. Mali borders seven countries, so overland travel usually means crossing one of them.
Timbuktu and Djenné were centers of trade and Islamic learning in the Mali Empire, which reached its height in the 14th century under Mansa Musa. Travelers go for these towns, the Dogon villages on the Bandiagara Escarpment and the Inner Niger Delta, which floods when the Niger rises in the rainy season, from late April to early October in the south. Security is the main thing to check. Insecurity in the north and center includes jihadist attacks, ethnic militia violence and kidnappings, and a fuel blockade since 2025 has caused shortages in Bamako. The U.S. Embassy has advised American citizens to leave Mali immediately, so check current travel advice before you plan anything.
Five things to know before Mali
- Read the current travel advisory first
Governments including the UK and US advise against all travel to all or large parts of Mali. Most travel insurance will not cover you where your government advises against travel. UK travel advice
- Check the US advisory as well
The US State Department rates Mali Level 4, do not travel. Mali has also applied reciprocal entry restrictions to US citizens since January 2026.
- Apply for the Mali visa online before you fly
The UK says the application and payment process is fully online through Mali's foreign ministry website. Rules have changed at short notice, so avoid third-party visa sites. Visas and entry
- Carry a yellow fever certificate
Mali requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for all arriving travelers aged nine months and over.
- Read your insurance policy before you book
Look for the clause on government travel advice. Specialist cover for high-risk areas exists but is expensive and often excludes the risks that matter most. Travel insurance
Mali travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Dakar, Gorée, Saint-Louis and Sine-Saloum, to the west
Read the guideCôte d'IvoireAbidjan, Grand-Bassam and Yamoussoukro, to the south
Read the guideVisas and entryOnline visa process and yellow fever certificate
Read the guideTravel insuranceWhy standard policies exclude a trip to Mali
Read the guideAll of AfricaWest African guides with open entry rules
Read the guide
Destinations in Mali
When to go
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- JanuaryClear0 rainy daysHigh34°Low19°Dry, harmattanJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, harmattan
- FebruaryClear0 rainy daysHigh37°Low21°Dry, hotFebruaryClear
- High
- 37°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- MarchClear0 rainy daysHigh39°Low25°Very hotMarchClear
- High
- 39°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- AprilClear1 rainy dayHigh40°Low27°HottestAprilClear
- High
- 40°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- MayClear7 rainy daysHigh39°Low28°Very hotMayClear
- High
- 39°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh36°Low26°Rains startJuneRain
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- JulyRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°RainyJulyRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 252 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- AugustRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low22°WettestAugustRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 317 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Wettest
- SeptemberRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low23°RainySeptemberRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 194 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy
- OctoberClear9 rainy daysHigh34°Low23°Rains endOctoberClear
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains end
- NovemberClear0 rainy daysHigh36°Low22°DryNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- DecemberClear0 rainy daysHigh34°Low19°Dry, coolerDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler
Average daily high and low in Bamako, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Mali
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
36
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 21%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Mali
08:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today34°22°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 34°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue35°23°2%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 35°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed35°23°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 35°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu36°23°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 36°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri37°24°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 37°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat35°24°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 35°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun34°22°0%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 34°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 05:19 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 587.8 XOF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Mali FAQ
Is it safe to travel to Mali right now?
Governments including the UK and US advise against all travel to Mali. Read the current UK and US advisories before making any plans, and check whether your insurance covers you.
Can US citizens enter Mali?
Mali has applied reciprocal entry and visa restrictions to US citizens since January 2026. Check with the Malian authorities and the US State Department before any plans.
Do I need a visa for Mali?
Most visitors need a visa arranged before travel. Check the current rules for your passport with a Malian embassy.
Will my travel insurance cover Mali?
Usually not. Most policies exclude countries where your government advises against all travel. Specialist cover exists for work travel but is costly.
What is the climate like in Mali?
Hot all year. November to January is the driest and least hot period; April and May are the hottest, and the rains fall from about June to September.