Mali

Recommended Vaccinations For Mali

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Meningitis Vaccine

Because this country is located in the sub-Saharan meningitis belt, vaccination against meningitis is recommended if travelling during the dry season (December to June).

Yellow Fever Vaccine

This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all arriving travellers 1 year of age and older. For children less than one year of age, Mali does not require the vaccination. However, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the vaccination for persons 9 months of age and older if going to areas south of the Sahara Desert.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Mali

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxime-pyrimethamine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Mali

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Mali.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Mali through contaminated food or water.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Mali. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.

Chikungunya Fever

Outbreaks of chikungunya fever may occur.

For Some Travellers

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country. The infection is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandfly.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in Mali.

Malaria

All areas of Mali are at risk for malaria.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Mali through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Lassa Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Lassa fever through breathing in unsafe air, eating contaminated food with droppings of infected rats.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

There is an increased risk for travellers spending a lot of time outdoors or visiting game parks. Travellers to urban areas not at risk.

Meningitis

Meningitis outbreaks may occur in Mali. Travellers who visit during the dry season (December to June) or expect to have prolonged contact with the local population are especially at risk.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Mali, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Mali. Travellers to Mali are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in the Mali. Bats may also carry rabies-like viruses. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in Mali and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis

Yellow Fever

This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all arriving travellers 1 year of age and older. For children less than one year of age, Mali does not require the vaccination. However, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the vaccination for persons 9 months of age and older if going to areas south of the Sahara Desert.

Safety & Security in Mali

Personal Safety

Crime rates have increased throughout Mali, particularly in Bamako. Armed robbery, kidnapping, and carjackings are common threats. Pickpocketing and theft occur in urban areas. The security situation remains volatile with random police checkpoints and roadblocks being commonplace, especially at night. Drink spiking can happen anywhere, so never leave food or drinks unattended. Corruption is prevalent. Police may stop drivers and request payments for unknown reasons. Authorities sometimes ask for small payments from foreigners without justification. Scammers operate at Modibo Keita International Airport. Internet fraud is common and often starts in West African countries. The UN peacekeeping mission withdrew in December 2023, which has led to deteriorating security. Mali has been under a state of emergency with heightened security measures including random identity checks. Security forces conduct vehicle and personal checks frequently. You need to carry identification at all times. Violent crime is a particular concern during local holidays and seasonal events in Bamako, its suburbs, and Mali’s southern regions. Night travel increases your risk significantly. Westerners are specifically targeted for kidnapping and attacks. Bandits are active in remote areas and northern border areas, especially after dark. Avoid travelling after dark.

Extreme Violence

Mali faces severe threats from terrorist groups including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP). The security situation has deteriorated since the UN peacekeeping mission withdrew in December 2023. In September 2024, at least 70 people were killed by attacks at the Gendarmerie School in Faladie district and Modibo Keita International Airport in Bamako. In February 2025, a roadside bomb killed two people in a convoy travelling on the road linking Kati to Soribougou. JNIM carried out 280 attacks in the first half of 2025, double the amount from the same period in 2024. Between January and October 2024, Islamist armed groups carried out 326 attacks against civilians, resulting in 478 deaths. Between January and October 2024, Malian security forces and allied forces carried out 239 operations against civilians, resulting in 1,021 people killed. Malian armed forces and Russia-linked Wagner Group fighters have been implicated in unlawful killings of civilians during counterterrorism operations. Kidnapping by terrorist and criminal groups is widespread. There is a very high threat of kidnapping by al-Qaeda and Islamic State-aligned groups throughout Mali. Kidnappings occur from all parts of Mali, including urban areas and the capital. The terrorist kidnap threat is highest in northern and central Mali but is increasing in southern Mali. Several foreigners have been kidnapped in recent years. Westerners are specifically targeted. Some hostages have been detained for months before being released, and some have been killed. Terrorist attacks target security forces, civilians, foreign interests, hotels, restaurants, places of worship, international diplomatic missions, airports, transport hubs, and other locations frequented by foreigners. Attacks can happen with little or no warning. Landmines and improvised explosive devices are used on major roads and transport routes. Groups operating in the centre, north and north-east sectors use landmines. Violence has spread from the north and centre to western and southern regions. In 2015, terrorists attacked the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako. In March 2019, masked gunmen killed 160 villagers in Ogossagou in central Mali. Timbuktu airport has been repeatedly shelled by JNIM since August 2023. Ethnic militias and self-defense groups also commit atrocities. In January 2024, an ethnic militia killed at least 13 civilians and abducted 24 others in central Mali.

Political Unrest

Mali has been under military rule since a coup in August 2020. A second coup occurred in May 2021, with Colonel Assimi Goita declaring himself transitional president. Presidential elections originally scheduled for February 2024 have been postponed indefinitely. In May 2024, a junta-organized national dialogue recommended extending the military transition by three years, allowing Goita to stand in future elections. Democratic elections were postponed until at least 2027. In May 2025, the military government adopted a bill granting a five-year presidential term to Goita, renewable as many times as necessary without holding elections. The government also suspended political parties in May 2025 until further notice for reasons of public order. These actions have triggered rare protests in Bamako, with hundreds taking to the streets calling for an end to military rule. Regular, large and at times violent protests have taken place in Bamako, with burning of tyres and clashes with police. Police have responded with tear gas and small arms fire. Deaths and injuries have been reported. The junta dissolved at least three civil society associations in 2024. In January 2024, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced they would leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The three countries formed the Alliance of Sahel States in September 2023. Civic space has narrowed significantly. Authorities cracked down on media and opposition voices. The government intimidates media and targets journalists and human rights defenders. Between February and April 2024, the military regime suspended the activities of political parties and associations. In November 2024, HAC suspended JOLIBA TV News for six months. Journalists have been arrested and detained for criticizing the government. Freedom of expression is restricted, particularly regarding military operations. Demonstrations are banned in some instances. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time and lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

Areas To Avoid

Northern Mali remains almost inaccessible and extremely dangerous. This region has been largely controlled by rebel forces, terrorist groups, and criminal networks since 2012. Military clashes with armed rebels persist throughout northern Mali. Legitimate Malian security forces cannot ensure the safety of foreigners in this region. The area includes Timbuktu, Gao, Kidal, and Menaka regions. Central Mali is increasingly dangerous. The Mopti and Segou regions experience security incidents between and within communities. Terrorist groups have become involved in these conflicts. The road from Mopti to Timbuktu is considered one of the most dangerous in the world. Djenne is located in an area where governments advise against all travel, as Islamist-controlled villages are located less than 20 kilometers away. The road connecting Segou with Djenne has suffered from sporadic attacks. Border areas with Mauritania, Niger, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Senegal are dangerous. Terrorist and criminal incidents have occurred in these border areas. Clashes between Malian authorities and armed groups have occurred in the Kayes and Sikasso regions. The border with Niger and Algeria is an actual war zone. Eastern Burkina Faso border crossing into Mali is considered too dangerous or impossible. The security situation in southern Mali has deteriorated. Attacks with the intent to kidnap now occur in areas surrounding Bamako. Western regions including Kayes have seen coordinated attacks on military installations. Night travel on roads outside the capital is particularly dangerous. Poorly lit streets make visibility poor in many areas. Most governments advise against all travel to Mali except for within a limited area around central Bamako. Some governments advise against all but essential travel even within 15 kilometers of the Tower of Africa in Bamako. Airports outside Bamako are extremely dangerous. Terrorist groups have repeatedly shelled Timbuktu airport since August 2023.