Mali

Bureaucracy has long been one of Mali's specialities. Bars and cafes are male only. Big on roadblocks. Main tourist areas are swarming with hustlers. Chances of getting ripped off are very high. Discussions on politics should be avoided. Local militia groups, weapons (various), vehicle security, personal security, gunfire, legal/illegal checkpoints, general travel, navigation, off road driving, building/office security, hot weather injuries, personal hygiene, sanitation/sterilisation, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, cultures/customs, communications, emergency shelters. Public swimming or sunbathing are ill-advised. In some areas visitors are advised to travel in groups.

Unsafe distributor system even where treated. Use bottled water only.

Mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savannah in south, rugged hills in north-east.

Sub-tropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February.

Hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding.