Mali
Warnings and insurance
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
FCDO advises against all travel to Mali, except to Bamako, due to the risk of terrorist attacks and kidnaps.
FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to Bamako and to places within 25km of Bamako. Bamako due to the risk of terrorist attacks and kidnaps.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
UK government support
Support for British nationals is severely limited in Mali, especially outside Bamako. If the security situation deteriorates, the British Embassy may be increasingly limited in the help it can provide. Do not rely on FCDO being able to help you to evacuate in an emergency.
If you are in Mali and need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British Embassy in Bamako.
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Update history
2025-01-27 16:28
New information on the criminalisation of the promotion or participation in consensual same-sex relationships (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-12-20 09:46
Information added about the risks around commercial disputes (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-11-15 17:16
New information on terrorism risks, the criminalisation of same-sex relationships and activity, and crime risks (See ‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-09-20 17:17
Updated information on the risks from terrorism in Bamako, following the terrorist attacks on 17 September (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2024-09-17 19:22
New information on flight cancellations and diversions following reported terrorist attacks on 17 September (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-09-17 13:00
New information on reported gunfire in Bamako (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-12 12:02
New information on criminal kidnap, flight cancellations and vehicle crime (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-07 11:46
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-12-20 16:39
Information about terrorism risks and removal of information about COVID-19 entry requirements (‘Terrorism’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2023-10-05 12:36
FCDO advise against all but essential travel to 25 km around the capital of Bamako. FCDO also advises against all travel to the rest of Mali (‘Summary’ page).
2023-08-08 17:11
Due to regional events there is disruption to air travel to and from Bamako and a risk of protests (‘Summary’, ‘Entry requirements’, and ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-06-30 10:02
Updated information on kidnap (‘Terrorism’ page).
2023-06-22 09:24
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-15 12:03
Information on the upcoming constitutional referendum on 18 June (‘Summary’ page).
2023-03-07 17:21
Updated information on terrorist threat (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).
2023-02-10 16:03
Updated information on terrorist and kidnap threat (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).
2023-01-30 13:18
Updated information on terrorism (‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).
2022-12-16 17:18
Update to the ‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ section on threat of terrorist attacks and kidnapping. Heightened threat of terrorist attacks and kidnaps targeting to Westerners in Bamako
2022-12-02 23:06
Update to the ‘Terrorism’ section on threat of kidnapping
2022-11-26 19:11
The FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to the rest of Mali, including Bamako. If your travel is essential, we advise you take extra care, especially if travelling at night.
2022-10-17 16:06
The FCDO now advises against all travel to an expanded area of the Sikasso and Koulikoro region. (‘Summary’ page).
2022-09-26 15:25
Removal of reference to the regional air traffic control strike in West Africa (‘Summary’ page).
2022-09-23 17:33
Updated with information about a regional air traffic control strike in West Africa and the use of taxi services in Bamako (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-08-18 16:05
Updated with information about the deteriorating security environment, including in Bamako
2022-08-06 11:09
Information on planned demonstration removed.
2022-08-04 17:29
Additional information on anti-MINUSMA (UN peacekeeping force) demonstrations planned for 5 August. You should avoid all large gatherings (See ‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).
2022-07-30 11:33
Updated information on the US travel advisory for Mali. (‘Terrorism’ page)
2022-07-22 16:25
New information added on armed attack at Kati military base on 22 July (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages). Updated information on the reopening of land and air borders between Mali and ECOWAS countries (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-06-23 16:19
Updated information on terrorist attacks and kidnap incidents in Mali (‘Terrorism’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-06-16 16:41
Updated information on the US government security alert, advising that a terrorist attack in Bamako may be planned (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-06-10 16:39
Addition of information on attacks on aid workers in the Kayes region (bordering Senegal and Mauritania) (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-05-07 16:32
Addition of information on US government security alert issued on 6 May 2022 (‘Summary and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-05-06 14:26
Updated information on the threat from terrorism in Mali (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-05-04 17:16
Removal of information on the US security alert for the Eid holiday weekend (29 April – 3 May)
2022-04-29 22:25
The ‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ sections have been updated.
2022-04-26 11:03
The ‘Terrorism’ section has been updated.
2022-04-12 15:38
The ‘Entry requirements’ section has been updated relating to requirements for COVID tests for entry/exit into Mali for those who have received a complete COVID vaccine.
2022-04-01 16:19
The ‘Entry requirements’ section has been reviewed in full and republished with amendments throughout.
2022-03-01 16:22
Adding link to further information on imported cases of Lassa fever to the UK from West Africa (‘Health’ page)