Last updated: 21 Oct 2025

Mali

About

With its giant mud-built mosques, villages carved into cliff-sides and massive camel caravans traversing the desert, Mali makes for a stunningly surreal destination.

Rapidly developing, particularly in the main cities, tourists can find high standards of accommodation and cuisine on offer. Intriguing and colourful markets, vast desertscapes and ancient tombs and relics are all waiting to be discovered

Explore the capital Bamako, a modern town and the educational and cultural centre of Mali. The main places of interest are the markets, the botanical gardens, the Musée National, the zoo and the craft centre at the Maison des Artisans.

Go to Timbuktu, where the magnificent camel caravans arrive every year from the salt mines to distribute their produce. Another ancient city to wander round is Gao, which had its heyday in the 15th century. The mosque of Kankan Moussa, the tombs of the Askia Dynasty, and two excellent markets can be found here.

Investigate other interesting towns such as San and Ségou, one of the largest cities in Mali known for its pottery, market and mosque.
Capital:  Bamako (BKO)
Currency:  West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Language:  French
Dialling code from SA:  + 223
Time Zones: No UTC/GMT offset
Side of the Road: Right
Best Time to go: October to February
Best for: Mudbrick buildings and other UNESCO sites.
Plugs: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Larger towns in Mali have their own locally generated supply. European-style plugs with two round pins are used.
Drinking Water: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised.
Health: Medical facilities are very limited. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage.
Customs: As a predominately Islamic country, dress should always be conservative: men should wear long pants, and women should keep their arms and leg covered. Respect to religious customs should also be shown during the month of Ramadan.
Local Offences / Laws: Photographing of military buildings and personnel is illegal.
Travel Tips / Warnings: Although photography is not restricted, it is advisable to seek permission before taking photographs. Public displays of affection, particularly between same-sex couples, should be avoided. Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans. Credit cards are not widely accepted and ATMs are scarce.
Duty Free: The following items may be imported into Mali without incurring customs duty:
• 1,000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 2kg of tobacco.
• Goods up to the value of XOF250,000.
Prohibited Imports: Prohibited items include narcotics, beef, food or medicine past the best-before date, and alcohol in plastic sachets. Restricted items include medicine, meat, plants, explosives, and firearms and ammunition.
Prohibited Exports: Restricted exports requiring authorisation include meat, hunting trophies, plants and artworks.

Issuing Authorities

Mali Embassy
876 Pretorius Str, Arcadia, Pretoria
Tel: 012 342-0676 / 012 342 7464

 

Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 20; Mar 26, 31; Apr 21; May 1, 25; Jun 7; Jul 6; Sep 5, 22; Dec 25

Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1, 20; Mar 20, 26; Apr 6; May 1, 25; Jun 26; Aug 26; Sep 22; Dec 25

Visa Requirements

Visas are required by SA passport holders.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Application form: Visa application form is to be fully completed. Personal details such as name(s) and surname must match the passport details exactly. Omissions or errors in the application may cause delays in the process.
  • Passport: Valid for at least 6 months & Copy of bio page
  • Invitation letter and/or employer's letter:
    a) For visit visa:     An invitation letter from the contact person in Mali or hotel reservation
    b) For business visa: A business letter from the Malian partner company and/or an employment letter from the local company. The Embassy is entitled to verify the authenticity of the documents provided.
  • Proof of funds: Where the invitation letter, the business letter, or the employment letter does not state that expenses related to the stay in Mali will be catered for, the applicant shall provide their most recent three months. 
  • Ticket reservation: A round-trip airline ticket or booking must be available. The ticket or reservation must show exactly the point of entry and arrival date in Mali as well as the exit point and date of departure from Mali.
  • Photographs: Two recent passport colour photos
  • Vaccination Certificate: Original of the yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Visa Processing Time

Ordinary visa: 5 working days
Express visa: 3 working days

 

Visa Validity

Visas are valid for one month from date of entry. 

Visa Cost

R510.00 (Express visa is an additional R300).
Once the application is submitted, visa fees are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the request.

SA Representative

SA Embassy
Hamdallaye ACI 2000, Batiment Diarra, Bamako
Tel:  +223 20 29 29 25/30
E-mail: nyembem@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco.gov.za/mali/

Travel Health

Compulsory:  Yellow Fever
Recommended:  Hepatitis A & B, Meningitis, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
  Malaria Risk