A landlocked nation in West Africa, Mali is officially known as the Republic of Mali. Mali offers a variety of geographical features due to its varied landscape, which includes the Sahara Desert in the north, the Niger River and its floodplains in the centre, and the Sahel region in the south. The capital and largest city of the nation is Bamako, which is located in the southwest. Mali has a lengthy past because it served as the capital of the illustrious Mali Empire in the 13th and 14th centuries. This empire had a profound cultural influence on the area and was renowned for its wealth, trade, and Islamic scholarship. Numerous ethnic groups, including the Bambara, Fulani, Songhai, Tuareg, and Dogon, make up Mali’s population. Malian culture is vibrant and diverse, with a strong emphasis on traditional music, dance, and visual arts. The nation is well known for its extensive musical heritage, especially in the blues and folk genres connected to the Tuareg and other ethnic groups. To visit Mali as a tourist, UAE citizens do not need a visa. A Mali visa for UAE residents is a legal document that authorises you to visit the country for a brief period of time.
Mali visa for UAE residents
UAE residents are not required to have a visa in order to travel to Mali for a short period of time. The visa-free period lasts for 90 days. You must ensure your visa if you intend to stay in Mali for longer than 90 days. For information on the specific requirements for obtaining a Mali visa for UAE citizens, it is advised to check the website of the Mali Embassy or Consulate or to contact the appropriate authorities.
Reasons to visit Mali
Get your groove on.
A trip to Mali should have a soundtrack that is almost as important as the sights. A vital storyteller and praise singer for hundreds of years, the Tuareg supergroups Tinariwen and Malian musicians like Ali Farka Touré, Salif Keita, Toumani Diabaté, and Tinariwen have gained international fame. The clubs in Bamako, which has a thriving music scene, frequently host some of the most well-known acts in the country. The legendary Festival au Désert has regrettably been forced into exile for years due to security concerns; however, the equally exciting Festival of the Niger is held in Ségou every February.
Rich history and culture
Mali was home to some of Africa’s most mighty empires and a significant trans-Saharan gold trade centre. These great civilisations left behind many fascinating sites, including the fabled city of Timbuktu, the customary hilltop dwellings, and the magnificent mudbrick mosque at Djenné.
Explore the trails
Hiking is one of the best ways to get to know the people and the surroundings in Dogon Country, even though it might not immediately spring to mind when you think of Mali. Walking along sandstone cliffs and through nearby villages to see ancient habitations and get to know the Dogon tribe’s members is one of Mali’s most memorable experiences.
Festival on the Niger
The Festival on the Niger, an enormous celebration, takes place in Ségou, Mali, every February. Since its inception in 2005, the festival has attracted a wide range of extraordinarily talented performers, with an emphasis on African artists. The festival attracts thousands of visitors each year, and in addition to the well-known performers, young singers and dancers are also given the chance to perform on stage.
Top destinations to visit Mali
Bamako
The capital of Mali is home to numerous ethnic groups, including Fulanis, Senufos, Dogons, Tuaregs, and Bambaras. The Bamako markets are a great place to learn about the different ethnic groups and buy souvenirs associated with Malian handicrafts and culture. The textiles, carvings, and masks that are unique to the various ethnic groups are on display both frequently and in one-off exhibitions at the National Museum of Mali. Thousands of trees, many of them rare, can be found within the 17 hectares of the Mali National Park. Following restoration and remodelling work, the zoo, which receives about 500 visitors per day, was reopened a few years ago.
Djenne
The city of Djenné borders both the Sahara and the humid region of Sudan. Buildings in Sudan are all constructed of plastered adobe cubes and embellished with pierced pilasters, battlements, or parapets. The Great Mosque is the most exquisite Sudanese-style temple in West Africa and the largest adobe temple in the entire world. Twenty hectares are totalled by eleven neighbourhoods. Being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site means that it frequently needs restoration. The best day to travel to Djenné is Monday because a sizable market that attracts Malians dressed in traditional attire from all over the nation is held in front of the mosque on that day.
Mopti
A trip to Mali should include a stop in Mopti, which is two hours away from Djenné. This location, which is also referred to as the Venice of Africa and is located on the banks of the Niger River, is a good place to continue learning about the best Sudanese architecture because of its magnificent Great Mosque. The community’s location on the banks of Niger can be utilised by visitors by getting on one of the cayucos there and taking a tranquil river cruise. Its nickname is “Venice of Africa” because of this. The market in Mopti is said to be the most fascinating part of the city because of the mix of cultures there. Even though there aren’t many people around early in the day, wooden barges called pinazas that are transporting goods for sale are slowly making their way in.
The Dogon Country
One of Mali’s most fascinating ethnic groups, the Dogon, is located in the Dogon Country, which is one and a half hours away from Mopti. The Dogon arrived in this area at the end of the fourteenth century, when the Mali empire fell, because they were animalistic people who wanted to avoid the spread of Islam. They found a place to live and preserve their culture in small communities. In the Dogon Country, the three-day trek that can be practised here at the base of the Bandiágara fault is well-known. While on tour, you can reflect on the Dogon way of life and the magnificent baobab, which is considered to be Africa’s most beautiful tree.
Timbuktu
Timbuktu, the capital of the Tuareg nation for a number of years, is situated in the Sahel, midway between the African savannah and the Sahara desert. Five years ago, Timbuktu had the unfortunate misfortune of falling into the hands of jihadists, who decimated the city and ejected its inhabitants from their homes. One of the most stunning cities in the world, Timbuktu, can once again astound both tourists and residents. The waters eventually changed back to their original course, and order was established in the northern part of Mali. The Sidi Yahya Mosque and the Djingareyber Mosque are two of the most well-known tourist destinations in this area.
National Museum of Mali
It is a museum that houses historical and anthropological artefacts in the nation’s capital, Bamako. The museum, which was founded in 1953, is home to historical exhibits about Mali that are both ongoing and one-time, as well as ritual objects connected to clothing, musical instruments, and the country’s various ethnic groups. The museum also acts as a window into Mali’s past and present.
Boucle du Baoule National Park
In 1982, a 25,330 square-kilometre area was set aside as a national park. The park in Mali’s west, in the Kayes and Koulikoro regions, has a large animal population. In addition to having numerous animals, such as lions, giraffes, baboons, antelopes, rhinos, and ostriches, it is well known for having prehistoric rock art and graves. The national park, which was added to the UNESCO Temporary World Heritage List on September 8, 1999, is one of the most popular locations for safari enthusiasts.
Mount Hombori
The mountain is not far from Hombori, Mali. The peak’s height of 1,153 metres is notable because it is the highest point in the country. There is an ancient archaeological site nearby that is thought to be about 2000 years old. With every day that went by, tourism’s contribution increased. Mount Hombori is one place that draws mountaineering and trekking enthusiasts.
