How to Get Around Mali

Getting Around

The one instruction that overrides the rest: if you are in Mali and decide to leave, leave by commercial flight, and do not attempt to leave by road. Both the British and Canadian advisories say so. Everything below assumes you are moving anyway.

Fuel is the binding constraint. There is a national fuel shortage; where fuel is available there are often long queues, and in many parts of the country the price has risen. Plan ahead to make sure you can actually reach your destination — treat range, not time, as the thing that limits a journey.

Police checkpoints are common throughout Bamako. Keep vehicle and personal identification documents with you, approach slowly and follow instructions. There have been incidents late at night in Bamako of people dressed as policemen demanding money from drivers: ask to see identification, and get a receipt for any payment.

Driving. A UK photocard driving licence is valid in Mali; with a paper licence you may need to upgrade it or also carry the 1949 version of the international driving permit. Road conditions in Bamako are difficult during the rainy season from June to October, roads outside Bamako are often damaged and dangerous, and other road users may drive unpredictably.

In the capital, public transport is unreliable, and taxi fares are agreed before departure rather than metered. At the airport, only use pre-arranged transport.

Verified against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad), September 2026.

Fuel first: it decides where you can go

There is a national fuel shortage. Where fuel is available there are often long queues, and in many parts of the country the price has increased. The instruction that follows from it is a planning one rather than a patience one: plan ahead to make sure you can reach your destination. On any journey out of Bamako, range is the limit, and a tank you assumed you could refill halfway may not be refillable.

Blockades compound it. JNIM has implemented blockades on key routes throughout southern and western Mali, including into Bamako; they target fuel convoys specifically and enforce checkpoints. Armed groups have set roadblocks on the roads to and from the capital. Curfews may be declared in many areas, Bamako included, which closes the night as a travelling window.

Checkpoints, and the receipt

Police checkpoints are common throughout Bamako. Always keep vehicle and personal identification documents with you. Approach a security checkpoint slowly and follow instructions.

And the detail worth carrying: there have been incidents late at night in Bamako where people dressed as policemen have demanded money from drivers. Ask to see identification, and get a receipt for any payment. Asking for a receipt is what separates a checkpoint from a shakedown, and it costs nothing to ask.

Driving: the licence, and what to carry

A UK photocard driving licence is valid for driving in Mali. If you still hold a paper licence you may need to update it to a photocard, or carry the 1949 version of the international driving permit as well.

Exercise extreme caution when driving. Road conditions off the major roads are poor, and roads outside Bamako are often damaged and dangerous. The hazards listed are driving standards, an absence of traffic signals, excessive speed, pedestrians and livestock on the roadway, congestion, no pavements and poorly lit streets — and overloaded transport vehicles that often break down. Other road users may drive unpredictably.

Road conditions in Bamako are difficult during the rainy season from June to October, and some dirt roads are impassable without four-wheel drive. Equip a vehicle with spare tyres and an emergency kit, and check regional weather forecasts before setting out rather than after.

Two habits for any drive: keep the doors locked and the windows shut, and if your vehicle is targeted, leave the scene as quickly as possible. After an accident, go to the nearest police station to report it rather than staying at the scene — and note that medical help after an accident is likely to be limited outside Bamako.

Flying, which is the way out

Inbound and outbound flights, international ones included, can be cancelled at short notice or diverted elsewhere. Monitor messages from your carrier and be prepared to arrange an overnight stay somewhere safe — that contingency is what makes leaving by air a plan rather than a hope. Attacks in April 2026 struck in the vicinity of Bamako International Airport and led to its temporary closure.

Security at Bamako airport is heavy and guards search your vehicle before you enter, so allow far more time than the distance suggests. Scammers posing as taxi drivers and guides operate around the airport — use only pre-arranged transport. Airports elsewhere in Mali are extremely dangerous; Timbuktu airport has been shelled repeatedly since August 2023.

Getting around the capital

Public transport is unreliable in Bamako, and there is no metro or urban rail. Taxis are the practical option, and the fare is agreed before departure rather than metered — settle it before you get in, not at the destination.

Emergency numbers: police 17, medical assistance 15, firefighters 18.

Both advisories say to avoid all travel to Mali, and the terrorism, kidnapping and consular picture behind that is on Stay Safe. Visa and entry rules are there too.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad) — JNIM blockades on key routes in southern and western Mali including Bamako, targeting fuel trucks and enforcing checkpoints; high threat of kidnapping and crime across Mali including the capital, A national fuel shortage with long lines; police checkpoints common throughout Bamako, identification to be carried; after an accident go to the nearest police station rather than staying at the scene; medical help after an accident limited outside Bamako; a UK photocard licence is valid, A UK photocard driving licence can be used to drive in Mali, and a holder of a paper driving licence may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the 1949 version of the international driving permit as well, Police checkpoints are common throughout Bamako and vehicle and personal identification documents should always be carried; security checkpoints should be approached slowly and instructions followed, and because there have been incidents late at night of people dressed as policemen demanding money from drivers in Bamako, identification should be asked for and a receipt obtained for any payment, There is a fuel shortage in Mali, with long lines where fuel is available and increased prices in many parts of the country, and travellers should plan ahead to make sure they can reach their destination, Road conditions in Bamako are difficult during the rainy season from June to October, roads outside Bamako are often damaged and dangerous, and other road users may drive unpredictably, Inbound and outbound flights including international flights can be cancelled at short notice or diverted to an alternative location, so travellers should monitor messages from their carrier and be prepared to arrange to stay overnight in a safe location, Security at Bamako airport is heavy and guards search vehicles before entry, scammers posing as taxi drivers and guides operate around the airport so only pre-arranged transport should be used, and airports in Mali outside Bamako are extremely dangerous with Timbuktu airport repeatedly shelled by terrorist groups since August 2023, Drivers in Mali should keep doors locked and windows shut while in the vehicle and leave the scene as quickly as possible if the vehicle is targeted, JNIM blockades on key routes in southern and western Mali including Bamako, targeting fuel trucks and enforcing checkpoints; high threat of kidnapping and crime across Mali including the capital, A national fuel shortage with long lines; police checkpoints common throughout Bamako, identification to be carried; after an accident go to the nearest police station rather than staying at the scene; medical help after an accident limited outside Bamako; a UK photocard licence is valid, A UK photocard driving licence can be used to drive in Mali, and a holder of a paper driving licence may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the 1949 version of the international driving permit as well, Police checkpoints are common throughout Bamako and vehicle and personal identification documents should always be carried; security checkpoints should be approached slowly and instructions followed, and because there have been incidents late at night of people dressed as policemen demanding money from drivers in Bamako, identification should be asked for and a receipt obtained for any payment, There is a fuel shortage in Mali, with long lines where fuel is available and increased prices in many parts of the country, and travellers should plan ahead to make sure they can reach their destination, Road conditions in Bamako are difficult during the rainy season from June to October, roads outside Bamako are often damaged and dangerous, and other road users may drive unpredictably, Inbound and outbound flights including international flights can be cancelled at short notice or diverted to an alternative location, so travellers should monitor messages from their carrier and be prepared to arrange to stay overnight in a safe location, Security at Bamako airport is heavy and guards search vehicles before entry, scammers posing as taxi drivers and guides operate around the airport so only pre-arranged transport should be used, and airports in Mali outside Bamako are extremely dangerous with Timbuktu airport repeatedly shelled by terrorist groups since August 2023, Drivers in Mali should keep doors locked and windows shut while in the vehicle and leave the scene as quickly as possible if the vehicle is targeted (September 2026).
Checked against Global Affairs Canada — Extreme caution should be exercised when driving in Mali because road conditions off major roads are poor and driving standards, lack of traffic signals, excessive speed, pedestrians and livestock on roadways, traffic congestion, the absence of sidewalks and poorly lit streets all pose serious risks, while overloaded transport vehicles often break down, During the rainy season some dirt roads in Mali may be impassable without a four-wheel-drive vehicle, vehicles should be equipped with spare tires and an emergency kit, and travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly, Public transportation is unreliable in the Malian capital and taxi fares should be agreed on before departure, Emergency numbers: police 17, medical assistance 15, firefighters 18, Extreme caution should be exercised when driving in Mali because road conditions off major roads are poor and driving standards, lack of traffic signals, excessive speed, pedestrians and livestock on roadways, traffic congestion, the absence of sidewalks and poorly lit streets all pose serious risks, while overloaded transport vehicles often break down, During the rainy season some dirt roads in Mali may be impassable without a four-wheel-drive vehicle, vehicles should be equipped with spare tires and an emergency kit, and travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly, Public transportation is unreliable in the Malian capital and taxi fares should be agreed on before departure (September 2026).