Mali - Advice

[langebaan sunset]

Hi folks,

We are planning a 4x4 overland trip via West Africa starting 2010. Whilst things may change between now and then, and hearing the sad news / outcome of the recent hostage situation, has anyone got any advice on alternative routes through Mali.

We are now considering a much more South Western option from Mauri to B Faso via Bamako. Its a shame to "transit" through this country, but would welcome some updates based on recent developments and any "first hand" observations / experiences.

Thanks in advance

[markharf]

Did I misunderstand this? Are you really planning to skip all that is wondrous about Mali because of the single recent killing of a Western hostage? I can't imagine where in Africa (or, truthfully, elsewhere) you might go where there have not been incidents of violence recently. How are you going to get to West Africa, for example, without driving through Mauritania or Algeria--both of which, on the evidence, have been more dangerous to tourists recently than Mali?

I think you must be reading different news reports from the ones I've seen. Maybe it's me who is out of step, not you.....but I can't quite see it. Or maybe I'm still bitter about having rocks thrown at me in Burkina Faso (of all places) and seeing bikers who'd been freshly shot off their bikes in calm, peaceful Ghana.

Safe journeys!

Mark

[motoreiter]

Originally Posted by markharf

...and seeing bikers who'd been freshly shot off their bikes in calm, peaceful Ghana.

Eh? What's that all about?

[markharf]

Ah well, I wrote about it at the time. It was during the elections, and my post sank like a stone. Maybe a search would dig it up if you really want it.

I was trying to make a different sort of point: to me, the recent incident was regrettable, horrifying, sad, frustrating....whatever your choice of adjectives. But to clip through the most boring part of Mali in order to go directly to other, demonstrably dangerous places seems a bit out of balance to me. I haven't heard anything from Mali which indicates that anything significant has changed, aside from the line which was crossed by killing, rather than ransoming, a hostage. Meanwhile, we've all heard about killings elsewhere, haven't we?

Not meaning to make a big deal out of it: just struck me as a strange sort of approach.

Mark

Edit to add: ok, I looked it up: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ad/ghana-39825 Hard to believe that was just five months ago.

[langebaan sunset]

Mark

I think you may have missed the main thrust of my request....I just want to obtain any feedback / opinion from people who have recently been through the country and guage their views as we are getting back into the process of updating our knowledge on various countries - this happens to be one of them. There has been a lot of debate elsewhere on the HUBB re. Mali and for sure, we saw Mali as one of the countries we would like to explore rather than transit.

Whilst debate about the relative dangers, or lack of, of other countries is valid, we simply want to hear from recent experience. I think that debate can be held in other parts of the HUBB.

Thanks

[Toyark]

Nick/Vicki you have a p.m (p.s am not avail.today between 12:30 and 14:30)

[priffe]

I was there two weeks ago.
At this moment, you can go anywhere you like in Mali without a problem, as long as you don't go north of Timbuktu and of Gao.

[langebaan sunset]

Priffe

Thanks

Did you enter via Mauri or plan to go back that way....?? Be useful to know your thoughts on that too......

Many thanks

Nick

[priffe]

No, we came in from Algeria over Kidal, bush taxi to Gao and the 18 hr bus to Bamako. Then home by air.
While we had no problem it was clear that we shouldn't stay in the Kidal area.
The rest of Mali is about as safe as anywhere in Africa.

[roamingyak]

I've spent 5 months there in two different trips.

I much prefer the West and South of the country to the East. There aren't really any great tourist sites there - just lovely countryside and people where you can camp without problems for weeks.

The East/North East of the country is where the tourist circuit is mostly so it seemed a bit more stressed compared to the the West/South.

In the West/South I found your somewhat of a novelty and treated as a guest, in the North/North East you are sometimes maybe treated like a cash cow to be processed.

The night life/music in Bamako is really good - some great open air clubs - and that's coming from somebody who doesn't drink ;-)

It's all pretty good and relaxed ;-)

[Endurorally]

If you totally ignore the advice set out on the Foreign Office Travel Advice do you not invalidate your travel insurance? Is an insurance company going to pay out in the event of you getting into difficulties if you ignore official advice? Equally, while the Foreign Office and Embassy Staff might be pretty laid back in helping anyone at all in difficulties, are they going to rush to help any passport holder who has a problem if they have gone against clearly set out advice to keep out of certain areas (their Niger advice warns against using certain roads - its that detailed) for example.

[Chris Scott]

I much prefer the West and South of the country to the East...

I would agree. From what I saw of it years ago this area is far more intriguing than the more visited desert areas in the NE, but no one ever goes there.

Ch

[Toyark]

E, Sth, W or ...Chris....what was the other one?
Don't miss visiting Dogon 'Country' and if you like rock formations, visit the Hand of Fatima (sacred to the local population btw) so don't go climbing it.

[MotoEdde]

Originally Posted by langebaan sunset

Hi folks,
<SNIP>

We are now considering a much more South Western option from Mauri to B Faso via Bamako. Its a shame to "transit" through this country, but would welcome some updates based on recent developments and any "first hand" observations / experiences.

Thanks in advance

As many others have already attested, Mali is the jewel between the three countries. It has a rich history, scenery and culture that are not to be missed.

Just to repeat...stay out of the North Eastern part and you should be ok. Also, the Mali hostage situation you're referring to I think happened in Tunisia and the hostages were transported overland into Mali via Algeria.
That isn't to say Algeria or Tunisia is unsafe...

I personally am of the opinion that if you make yourself attractive in terms of vehicle, kit, $$, etc when you go through these parts; you're at a higher risk for ANY incident...as you will be noticed.
Keep a low profile, and be smart...talk to the locals...and get on the road...West Africa is blast!!!!