BPE 2018 Bamako
MALI
Tel. +223 20217140
Fax: +223 20217140

General Information

• GETTING THERE & AWAY
  The main international airlines operating flights to Bamako are: air France, Air Algerie, Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Air Burkina, Ghana Airways, Air Guinee, Air Ivoir, Air Mauritanie, Air GabonPointd’Afrique (from Paris December to March).
   

• ACCOMMODATION
  Hotels and/or motels/auberges in Bamako, Mopti and Timbuktu
   Under canvas or a roof in campements and/or rest-houses throughout the country; this alternative offers shared bathroom and shower facilities.
   Under canvas in mobile camps throughout the circuit. Often the only option for those who really wish to visit certain parts of this fantastic country, it actually remains the unique real way of experiencing a “planned” adventure in Mali.
   

• AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
  CFA 14000 (euro 22) per person on all international flights; CFA 2750 (4,2euro) per person on all domestic flights.
   

• LUGGAGE
  Luggage must be a soft sided? preferably waterproof ? holdall (no hard suitcases) in order to facilitate transportation on vehicles suggested weight 12 kg per person.
   

• BUSINESS HOURS
  SHOPS ARE GENERALLY OPEN 9AM TO 4 PM. Friday is the official Moslem day of rest, Sunday is a day off for Christians.
   

• CLIMATE
  LYING ENTIRELY IN THE TROPICAL ZONE BETWEEN THE Sahara in the north and the humid forest zone in the south, the climate is hot and sunny wit one rainy season running from June to September in the north (April to October in the south) and a hot humid season April to May. The best period to visit Mali is during the cool dry season from October to March. The Saharan dry wind, known as Harmattan, often starts blowing in January. The average temperature in Bamako is 16-30°C in January and 24-42°C in May.
  
  Bamako temperatures in °C:
  
  Jan. 32
  Feb. 33
  Mar. 38
  Apr. 40
  May. 41
  June. 40
  July 32
  Aug. 37
  Sept. 38
  Oct. 38
  Nov. 35
  Dec. 32
   

• CLOTHING :
  Clothing should be comfortable and informal. Kindly remember there is a majority of Muslims, hence it may be better to avoid above the knee skirts and tank tops. It is advisable to always pack for cold conditions, in the period December to February. Laundry services are seldom available.
  Accessories : sun block, hat and sunglasses; torch and batteries; water bottle; toilet paper and wet paper towels; towel; bathing suit; camera, film, zoom and spare batteries; alarm clock; binoculars; personal prescriptive drugs (eye drops and anti diarrhea pills); insect repellent; adapter; spare glasses.
   

• CURRENCY
  Unit: the CFA Franc where 1 euro = 655 CFA
  There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency visitors may import as long as it is changed through authorized dealers such as banks and hotels
  CFA may be re-exchanged upon departure (also in Paris) and/or taken out of the country.
  It is advisable to bring euro (new type only). For gratuities and small extras, it is preferable to use CFA. US$ and other currencies do not enjoy a favourable exchange rate.
  The major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Diners, Amex) may be accepted only in some Bamako hotels.
   

• DRIVER-GUIDES
  A French-speaking guide/escort will be present throughout the tour: describing the habitat and the sites, and assisting for any need . Upon request English or Italian speaking guides are available.
   

• DRIVING
  traffic is right-hand drive and many roads are made of gravel or sand. an international driving licence is required
   

• ELECTRICITY
  All run on 215/240 volts AC; 500 HZ. Power is often erratic, especially in small centres.
  In mobile-tented camps gas lamps are used. Always take a torch.
   

• ENVIRONMENT
  Litter, waste, toilet paper, cigarette butts spoil the landscape, please do not throw anything around. Ecosystems are extremely fragile and deserve to be treated with care and respect.
  Exercise sensibility towards flora and fauna and be careful of animals in the wild.
  Respect indigenous people and always ask for permission before taking a photo or enter a village. Never give them medicines and avoid dishing out money; much appreciated are stationary items, books in French, T-shirt, etc.
   

• HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
  A valid international yellow fever inoculation certificate is required. The country is a malaria endemic area, therefore it is advised that travellers consult local medical authorities of their county for current information and requirements and carry insect repellents.
   

• INSURANCE
  GUINNA EXPEDITIONS. is covered by a passenger Liability Cover in favour of all passengers. It covers eventual damages and/or death during their transportation and due to mistakes of drivers employed by the operator.
  All passengers must have their own personal medical insurance.
   

• LANGUAGE
  The official language is French but Bambara is widely spoken. Other dialects are also used: songhai and Peulh along the river and Tamachek in the north.
   

• PHOTOGRAPHY
  Taking photos of airports, bridges, military installations and government buildings is prohibited. Before taking pictures of local people and/or mosques and/or gris gris, permission should be obtained. It is advisable to carry plastic bags to protect the equipment from sand.
   

• RELIGION
  About 86% of the population are Muslim , some 5% are Christian and most of the remainder follow traditional animist religions.
   

• SHOPPING
  Variety and price ranges are endless: gold and silver jewellery, ethnic memorabilia, handmade souvenirs, woodcarvings, leather, batiks, basketry, sculptures, masks, musical instruments, artwork, carpets, pottery. For affair price ask advice from your guide
   

• TELEPHONE
  International telephone calls are sometimes difficult to make due to the scarcity of international lines. Having said this, communication is normally possible from Bamako, Segou and Mopti. Most of the country is serviced by public telephone services.
  The country code is 223; no city code.
   

• TIME ZONE
  GMT
   

• VISAS & PERMITS
  Foreigners must be in possession of a valid passport (valid at least 6 month by intended length of stay and with at least 2 empty pages) and an entry visa.
   

• WATER
  All tap water rarely safe to drink, even in large cities. Bottled mineral water or the use of purification tablets is strongly recommended. Water is a scarce commodity, use it sparingly.
   

ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION

HOTELS, AUBERGES, REST ,CAMPS, “CAMPEMENTS”

BAMAKO

DJENNE

SEGOU

MOPTI

DOGON COUNTRY

TIMBUKTU

GAO

KAYES

 SIKASSO

KOUTIALA

HOTELS offer all comforts and are graded by the ministry of Tourism. For your information, AUBERGES are often small family run hotels while MOTELS are small and simple infrastructures with en suite facilities and fan (seldom ac is available), often just on a BB basis. While a HOTEL-CAMPEMENT is basic and offers room sharing a common bathroom and en suite rooms. a CAMPEMENT very basic and demands the use of tents in either in the yard or on the terrace, shower and WC facilities are however available. In general, compared to western criteria, tourist infrastructures in Mali offer a lower standard and are more basic.

MOBILE TENTED CAMPS

Mobile-tented camps are for travellers who wish to experience true classic adventures in beautiful and sometimes otherwise “unreachable” areas.

TENTS (every 2 pax)                         

Comfortable mosquito proofed dome tents with zips and gauze windows; base 200 x 200, height 160cm.
Clients are asked to put up their own tents. But the guides and drivers are happy to help them.

BATHROOM     When free camping, the bush serves as a toilet and a plastic basin for washing, just like explorers in the golden years of travel.

EQUIPEMENT   Every client is supplied with a foam mattress (5cm thick) and a plastic washbasin.
Clients must provide own sleeping bag, pillow and towels.

DINING            Camping tables, chairs, crockery, cutlery, water tanks and necessary cooking equipment is provided. Three solid meals are served daily, including a continental breakfast, picnic lunch and a 2-course dinner (entrée + main course + fresh fruit + coffee/tea). Our staff prepares meals and camp kitchen

 MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION

 All motorized vehicles used by GUINNA EXPEDITIONS for tours are common in Mali, some are owned (a 14-seater bus, a 6-seater microbus) while the others and 4WD are rented. This facilitates finding spares and obtaining the best maintenance, therefore it all results in reduced management costs and most competitive packages.

Considering the high maintenance costs of vehicles in Mali, GUINNA EXPEDITIONS has decided to employ different means of transportation according to group sizes, nevertheless always guaranteeing maximum comfort and safety. Minibuses are used for most of the itinerary, while 4WDs are employed in the Dogon Country. It is however possible to have  4 x 4s throughout the tour, quotation upon request.

For the descent along the Niger, GUINNA EXPEDITIONS employs “pinasse” , the long sabre-thin boats used by generations of fishermen and one of the primary modes of transportation.

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