Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There is a high threat from terrorism.  Terrorists have been involved in kidnaps in the region and we believe that further kidnap attacks are likely. A group of European tourists were kidnapped in the area of the Mali-Niger border near Menaka on 22 January 2009 and a British national who was part of this group was later murdered. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We advise against all travel to the provinces of Mali north of the River Niger from Mopti. This includes the provinces of Kidal, Gao, Koulikoro (north of Mourdiah), Segou (north of Niono), Tombouctou (including the city of Tombouctou (Timbuktu)), areas bordering Mauritania east of Nioro in the Kayes province, and the north of Moptio province (north of the town of Douentza).
  
  
• Travel in Mali can be difficult and conditions are poor for overland travel.  You should take all necessary steps to protect your safety, especially outside of main urban areas, and you should have confidence in your individual security arrangements and maintain a high level of vigilance. See the terrorism and Local Travel sections of this advice.
  
  
• The British Ambassador to Mali is resident in Dakar, Senegal. However, there is a British Embassy Liaison Office in Bamako, offering consular advice and assistance. See the General section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should also ensure that you seek medical advice prior to travelling and that you have had all necessary vaccinations. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of the advice and Travel Insurance for more details.