Cheap car rental Mali - Safety and Security

Book car rentals in Mali now!

Safety and Security

SAFETY AND SECURITY: The U.S. Embassy in Bamako advises American citizens to avoid travel to Mali's northern regions beyond the cities of Timbuktu and Gao, and to exercise caution when traveling in any isolated areas within Mali. U.S. Government employees serving in Mali, including those on temporary duty, are required to have approval from the Chief of Mission prior to traveling to areas north of the Niger River. Some of the towns included in this requirement are Kidal, Tessalit, Lere, Goundam, Essakane, and Menaka.

Mali’s northern regions have become a safe haven for the Group Salafist for Prayer and Combat (GSPC), a terrorist group seeking the overthrow of the Algerian government. In February 2003, a GSPC faction moved into Mali's far north with 15 European hostages; one died and 14 were subsequently released to Malian authorities. The continued presence of the GSPC and other armed groups presents potential dangers to travelers. Northern Mali hosts several annual music festivals in the desert, including one north of Timbuktu at Essakane, one outside Kidal, and another near Menaka. These are official Government of Mali events. The greatest caution should be used in any decision to attend these music festivals, given their remote location within regions where the GSPC has operated. Americans who plan to attend these festivals or otherwise travel to the northern regions of Mali despite this caution are urged to notify the Embassy about their plans by phone or e-mail at consularbamako@state.gov.

Sporadic banditry and random carjackings have historically plagued Mali’s vast desert and its borders with Mauritania and Niger. Banditry is not seen as targeting U.S. citizens specifically; however, acts of violence cannot be predicted.

Flying or traveling by boat to Timbuktu and other northern locations is considered to be safer than driving; local carriers provide such services. Travel overland is best done in convoys with several vehicles and with some type of long-range communications capability. When traveling into less frequented areas and off paved roads, the Embassy suggests that you provide an itinerary to a reliable friend whom you can notify of your arrival. The Embassy strongly urges all travelers to avoid traveling by car at night outside urban centers for reasons of road safety; all travelers are urged to limit overland travel to daylight hours and to avoid dirt track and unimproved roads. The roads around Timbuktu, and from Gao to Kidal and Menaka, are essentially desert tracks with long isolated stretches and travelers must be prepared to repair their vehicles should they break down or become stuck in the sand. Travelers should also carry plenty of food and water.

Instability in Cote d’Ivoire has resulted in security incidents in Mali along its southern border and travelers should maintain heightened vigilance in those areas. Throughout Mali, U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, political rallies, and street demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times.