Road condition Bamako-Kayes
 

Any recent updates about the road condition between Bamako and Kayes? Have all sections been tarmaced?

Just about to hit them in a couple days! Will let you know...

North route/red zone is paved all the way...

'Scenic route' through Bafoulabe/Kita sounds 75% done....Bafouable to Bam is done apparently...so it's just the first bit from Diamou (10k south of Kayes) to Bafoulabe...

Will let you know!

Thanks for your answer. I am in Bamako now and heading towards Noukachot, so maybe we will cross.
So far locals have recommended NOT going north to Diema. Therefore I will have to choose between going northwest Kita-Kayes or west Kita-Kenieba entering Senegal. The last route should be tarmaced all the way.

Bamako-Diema is probably the worst part.
But there is no joy on the N1.
Better go over Kita-Bafoulabe along the Black River Bafing.
The paved road is good to Kita, then there is 100 kms of pist to Manantali, but not too bad. In Manantali stay at the Cool Camp with Casper, across the bridge.
From Manantali to Bafoulabe road was paved recently by the Chinese.
There is a ferry at Bafoulabe. And then paved road to Kayes in good shape, but there was a bridge collapse some time ago.

Thanks for this - I'm presuming they're saying not to go north to Diema due to insurgent activity? Or???

No one ever mentions the route that goes over the border just east of Kedougou, Senegal - is this doable? I was hoping to go via Mauri and cross into Mali but if there are problems it looks like a detour through Senegal will be necessary (in two months time)

I think recent activity in the Segou region is causing the recommendation NOT to go north of Bamako right now:
News from The Associated Press

I will take the road Bamako-Kita-Kenieba-Kedougu. Locals says it should be doable in one day leaving early.

Brilliant, thanks for this. Please update about that road when you can, I'll be coming from the other direction with 4 wheels ...

If you're at the Camel, please say hello to P&B for me & wishing you the best of luck with your drive!

Did Bamako to Kedougou today. Its a 8 hour ride on nearly perfect tarmac. Easy border crossing. Exit/enter took less than a hour, and all paperwork was done at the borderposts.

It is a little strange how this road from Kita to Kenieba is not marked on any map.

When there is a bridge at Bafoulabá and tarmac from Manantali to Kita that road will be the fastest road from Senegal and Kayes to Bamako.

Mali
 

We just rode that way from Bamako to Kedougu and was fine. We were also up in Mopti & Segou when those attacks happen so maybe we were a bit lucky. Dogon Country & Djenne is beautiful tho.

Yes, even Google Map dont show it. I think the road was build from 2008-2012 as part of the southern Dakar Bamako corridor. Fortunately its showed on the OSM map.

Rode Bamako to Kayes via Diema on an XR650 in July 2015. The road was just fine. All asphalt.
Got bad fuel at the first petrol station on the right hand side in Diema. Engine blew.