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🇲🇱 Mali

Home to the world's largest mud-brick building at Djenné, the legendary city of Timbuktu and the cliff villages of the Dogon — Mali holds extraordinary Saharan heritage.

Visa required 📅 Best: Nov–Feb (dry) 💵 $90/day avg
🏙️
Capital
Bamako
💱
Currency
West African CFA (XOF)
🗣️
Language
French
📅
Best time
Nov–Feb (dry)
🛂
Visa
Visa required
💵
Avg daily budget
$40 – $300
🛡️
Safety
Do not travel (advisories)
✈️
Main airport
Bamako (BKO)
Overview

Why travellers love Mali

Mali's cultural treasures — the Great Mosque of Djenné, Timbuktu's ancient libraries and Dogon Country — are world-famous, but much of the country is currently unsafe for travel.

Most governments advise against travel; this guide is for reference until the situation improves.

Where to go

Top places in Mali

The destinations worth building your trip around.

Djenné

Djenné

🗓 1 day

The world's largest mud-brick mosque.

HistoryIconic
Timbuktu

Timbuktu

🗓 1 day

Legendary Saharan city of manuscripts.

HistoryIconic
Dogon Country

Dogon Country

🗓 2 days

Cliff villages and unique culture.

CultureAdventure
Bamako

Bamako

🗓 1 day

Riverside capital and music scene.

CultureCity
Plan day by day

Mali itineraries

Ready-made routes — tap a duration to see the plan.

Route
Djenné → Timbuktu → Dogon Country
Trip length
5 days
Est. budget
$200 – $1,500
1–2

Djenné

The world's largest mud-brick mosque.

🗓 2 days✨ History · Iconic
3–4

Timbuktu

Legendary Saharan city of manuscripts.

🗓 2 days✨ History · Iconic
5

Dogon Country

Cliff villages and unique culture.

🗓 1 day✨ Culture · Adventure
Route
Djenné → Timbuktu → Dogon Country → Bamako
Trip length
7 days
Est. budget
$280 – $2,100
1–2

Djenné

The world's largest mud-brick mosque.

🗓 2 days✨ History · Iconic
3–4

Timbuktu

Legendary Saharan city of manuscripts.

🗓 2 days✨ History · Iconic
5–6

Dogon Country

Cliff villages and unique culture.

🗓 2 days✨ Culture · Adventure
7

Bamako

Riverside capital and music scene.

🗓 1 day✨ Culture · City
Route
Djenné → Timbuktu → Dogon Country → Bamako
Trip length
10 days
Est. budget
$400 – $3,000
1–3

Djenné

The world's largest mud-brick mosque.

🗓 3 days✨ History · Iconic
4–6

Timbuktu

Legendary Saharan city of manuscripts.

🗓 3 days✨ History · Iconic
7–8

Dogon Country

Cliff villages and unique culture.

🗓 2 days✨ Culture · Adventure
9–10

Bamako

Riverside capital and music scene.

🗓 2 days✨ Culture · City
✨ Build a custom Mali itinerary →
Visa & entry

Mali visa requirements

Visa required?
Visa required for most
Allowed stay
Up to 30 days
Visa on arrival
Limited
eVisa
Limited
Passport validity
6 months
Visa type
Visa required
⚠️

Visa rules change frequently. A visa is required in advance. IMPORTANT: most governments currently advise against all travel to Mali due to terrorism and kidnapping. Do not travel until advisories change. Always verify with the official Mali immigration / e-visa website before travelling.

Full Mali visa guide →Use the visa checker →
Money

Mali budget guide

Budget

$40/day
  • Hostels & guesthouses
  • Local food & markets
  • Public transport
  • Free sights & nature

Luxury

$300+/day
  • 4–5★ hotels & resorts
  • Fine dining
  • Private transfers
  • Premium experiences
Full Mali budget guide →
Things to do

Top attractions in Mali

🕌

Great Mosque of Djenné

The largest mud-brick building on Earth.

📜

Timbuktu

Ancient libraries and desert mosques.

🏘️

Dogon Country

Bandiagara cliff villages.

🎶

Malian music

A globally celebrated tradition.

🌊

Niger River

Pinasse journeys through the heartland.

Blog

Mali travel articles

All guides