MALI REPORT TRAVEL.

Punctual arrival at 08.15, at Modibo Keïta International Airport in Bamako (Mali).

There is a 1 hour time zone compared to Italy.

To enter Mali, an entry visa is required, for tourism, to be requested at the Mali Embassy in Rome based in via delle Cave Fiscali n. 19-21, or by relying on a travel agency that delivers the file for you. I relied on the Ufficiovisti.it agency, based in Via Luigi Pianciani n. 21 - 00185 Rome, managed by Mr. Nicola Basta, Telephone: 393/78864462, e-mail: info@ ufficiovisti.it, website: www. ufficiovisti.it, to which I have sent the following documents:

1. Passport (valid for no less than 6 months);

2. Mali entry visa application form completed and signed in duplicate;

3. letter of appointment for the entry visa for Mali completed and signed;

4. 1 recent passport-sized photo on a white background;

5. copy of the yellow fever vaccination;

6. Copy of the bank transfer in the amount of Euro 85.00 including VAT (Euro 50 for consular fees + Euro 35 for the competence of the Ufficiovisti.it agency)

I must say that the aforementioned agency did an excellent job and in just 1 day obtained an entry visa for 30 days. I arranged for the courier, relying on the online Courier "Spedire.com", at the price of Euro 6.98 each way, although it must be said that if desired, the Agency also provides the Courier but at a higher price than what I paid for it. The tourist visa takes up one page of the passport.

As for security in Mali, keep in mind that net of the terrorist attacks, which however also happen in Europe, Bamako and Segou are fairly safe cities, where crime reaches very low levels. Keep in mind that the rest of Mali north of Segou appears dangerous for tourists.

Keep in mind that very few vehicles circulate on the roads of Mali, with the exception of large cities such as Bamako;

In Mali the official language is French. English is not widely used.

Religions: Muslim (90%), Christian (4%), animist (6%).

Keep in mind that Euros and CFAs are highly valued for currency exchange in Mali. Someone also takes US Dollars.

Once the form with personal data has been filled in, the airport border can be crossed quite easily, thus obtaining the entry stamp on the passport.

At the Modibo Keïta Airport in Bamako (Mali), there is a currency exchange counter, but not always open. If it is closed ask someone around who will surely lead you to the person who changes money for black at the following exchange rate: 1 $ = 540 CFA.

From the Modibo Keïta Airport in Bamako (Mali), located 17 km southwest of the center of the capital, I took a taxi at a cost of 5,000 CFA, which in a few brought me to the southern outskirts of Bamako, where several Bus to Segou.

For the occasion, the taxi driver decided to take me to the Somatra Company Bus Station, the most unlucky of all. In fact, when buying the ticket for Segou (3,000 CFA), the clerk guaranteed me that the bus would leave shortly and instead I had to endure a nerve-wracking wait of 6 hours, that is from 9.30 a.m. until 15.30. The journey lasted a scant 5 hours including several stops to eat and one to pray.

In Segou, the buses coming from Bamako end their journey in one of the various garages located in the western part of the city.

From there, a collective taxi can take you to the hotel for 1,000 CFA.

In Segou I stayed at the Hotel l'Auberge, located in the center less than 200 meters away. from the docking area of the pirogues on the Niger River. Cost for a double room with private bathroom: 15,000 CFA. No wifi. Air conditioning included. Hearty breakfast included in the price.

Segou is a city that can be explored on foot.

In Segou I booked a one-day dugout tour on the Niger River, from a former guide (Abdel Kader, phone: 0022390873936, E_mail: music_rimbe-tacc@gmx.ch) that I met along the way, for the price of 120 USD, included the Guide, the rental of the boat with its staff, fuel and entrance fees to some Villages. Basically I visited the following Villages: Kalabougou, Kala Daka, Gueni Dage and Segou Koro. I reached the latter by motor taxi driven by my Guide.

From Segou, to return to Bamako, I took a Bus of the Nour TransportVoyageurs Company, paying 2,500 CFA for the ticket. Waiting times for departure, this time only a few minutes. Journey time: scarce 5 hours. This bus ends its ride in Bamako, in the Company's Garage on the south-eastern outskirts of the city about 10 km from the city center, which I reached by taxi at a cost of 2,500 CFA.

In Bamako I spent the night at the Mission Catholique, located in the center, in Rue Ousamane Bagayoko. Cost for a bed in dormitory with shared bathroom: 4,500 CFA. No wifi. Air conditioning included. Breakfast not included in the price. This property is run by nuns who also speak English.

The center of Bamako can be explored on foot.

From a side street of Ave Van Vollenheoven, minibuses leave every 20 minutes for Point G, located on a hill just north of the capital, which in theory should offer a wonderful view of Bamako, although I have not seen anything because there are too many buildings obscuring the view.

Upon returning from Point G in Bamako, the aforementioned minibus also passes in front of the National Museum and the driver can drop you there on request.

I paid 2,500 CFA for admission to the National Museum, while the one to the adjacent Botanical Gardens, open from 9.00 to 20.00, I paid 700 CFA.

To reach the Modibo Keïta Airport in Bamako (Mali), located 17 km southwest of the center of the capital, I took a taxi at a cost of 5,000 CFA.

 Once the form with personal data has been completed, the airport border can be crossed quite easily, obtaining the exit stamp from Mali.

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

https://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2018/11/viaggio-in-mauritania-nouakchott.html