Africa
Mali
The soul of the Sahel. Mali is legendary mud-brick cities, Timbuktu's ancient libraries and a musical heritage that shaped the blues.
- Currency
- West African Cfa Franc (XOF)
- Language
- French
- Best time
- February – April & October – December
FCDO advises against all travel to Mali
See which areas are affected
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — the definitive source. Check it close to your travel dates.
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Why Mali
The soul of the Sahel. Mali is legendary mud-brick cities, Timbuktu's ancient libraries and a musical heritage that shaped the blues.
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Mali is one of West Africa's great cultural landscapes — a land of mud-brick masterpieces, storied desert cities and a river that has carried civilisations for millennia. Its name conjures Timbuktu, Djenné and the mighty Niger.
This is deep cultural and experiential travel: UNESCO World Heritage sites restored by local guilds of master masons, and one of the planet's most influential music traditions, the root of the blues itself.
Mali rewards the intrepid with uncrowded, meaning-rich encounters. Note that parts of the country face security concerns, so travellers should check current UK government advice and plan carefully before visiting.
Mali in pictures
All our Mali guides
Weather & timing in Mali RIGHT NOW 24°C clear
Best Feb, Nov–Dec · Shoulder Mar–Apr, Oct
Units
Next 7 days
Forecast · Met Office · updated 13 Nov · Powered by Met Office data
Typical · climate data
Best time to visit
February – April & October – December
Units
Spring (Mar–May)
What to expect — Daytime highs average about 39°C with overnight lows near 26°C, and it stays largely dry.
What's best — Peak heat.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
What to expect — Daytime highs average about 31°C with overnight lows near 24°C — the wettest stretch of the year.
What's best — Wet season, then Monsoon.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
What to expect — Daytime highs average about 32°C with overnight lows near 22°C.
What's best — Wet season, then Shoulder season, then Dry season.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
What to expect — Daytime highs average about 35°C with overnight lows near 20°C, and it stays largely dry.
What's best — Dry season, then Peak heat.
- Mali-Météo · National service
Know before you go
The practical back-matter — safety, drones and the essentials, in one place.
Safety
Official UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office guidance is the definitive source — check it close to your travel dates.