Mali to Mauritania (visa questions)
 

Howdy Folks;

We're Americans who will be travelling in Mali and Mauritania - flying from Paris to Bamako or Mopti, and eventually going overland through the desert into Mauritania (in the north). The Mauri visa is thus a tricky one. Maybe possible to get from the embassy in DC before leaving but, we live in San Francisco and what with all the special requirements (proof of this and that which we won't have) it doesn't seem likely.

We'd just as soon bypass Bamako for Mopti but if Bamako is a good place to get the Mauri visa, we can fly in there. Does anyone know how long it takes in Bamako and whether you really need all that crap like invitation, proof of transport, hotel reservation, etc?

Alternately, we may be able to get our visa in Paris before flying out. Does anyone know how long it takes there and what the requirements are?

One more possibilty. I hear there's now and embassy in London and we may be stopping there en route as well.

Thanks much.
~Gregg

I just did it in London, you can almost do it while you wait on a Tue and Thurs morning, (I came back next day after doing the form on a Monday).
Paris was the same last time I did it.
I recall there was a Mori embassy in Bamako, but that was years ago.

Ch

Hey, that's great news Chris. Thanks. Did you need any of that other crap like invitation letter, hotel res, air ticket?

~G.

In the UK, no, just 42 quid

Ch

That's great. Thanks.

BTW Chris, I think the Festival in the Desert cd is superb. The R. Plant track fits in well and its presence may actually get a bunch more listeners into the music of the Sahara.