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Traveler Tools - Mali
Traveler Tools
by atufft
Tips on what to pack for a trip to Mali, posted by real travelers and Mali locals.
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Come prepared, items are not easily available here
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  • grets
  • Updated By grets on July 30, 2004
  • Mali Page by grets
  • Apply sunblock liberally - Mali
    Apply sunblock liberally
    by grets
    A sturdy piece of luggage. Day sack for trekking.

    Walking boots, modest clothing for visiting Dogon Villages. Light, cotton clothing as it will be HOT!

    Mosquito repellant, antimalaria tablets, a good first aid kit, all toiletries you may need, Wet-wipes are very useful. A good sunblock is essential.

    As much film as you need, a plastic bag or waterproof housing to protect your camera from sand.

    Most local operators provide tent and sleeping mat, but if you want a little more comfort, an inflatable mattress would be usefull. Sleeping bag and pillow.

    Water carrier, ideally a 'bladder' with drinking hose.

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    Bring a portable printer or old Polaroid camera
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  • atufft
  • Updated By atufft on December 14, 2006
  • Mali Page by atufft
  • Traveler Tools - Mali
    Traveler Tools
    by atufft, 4 more photos
    I prefer reinforced cloth sided luggage (with sturdy wheels and collapsible handle) over backpacks. In Africa, there is plenty of help hoisting your belongings wherever you need them. Backpacks can't be easily locked, and wherever you go expect whatever luggage you choose to be put to the test. You'll want your collectibles bargained for to arrive back home undamaged.

    Lonely Planet recommends light colors and thin fabrics. I prefer the sturdiness of Levis because I don't know what mess I'll sit on next. In Africa, men and women should generally dress in a conservative manner. You'll get used to the heat. Having sun glasses, and maybe a hat are pretty important. Also, having a collapsible umbrella or poncho for that unexpected sudden downpour of rain can be useful. We didn't carry any rain gear, and go soaked on the day we crossed the Ghana-Burkina border

    Unless you are stingy with accomodations, a mesquito net is rarely needed as somewhere in town, AC will be available. Even so we still took a collapsible self supporting net. Don't forget the mosquito repellent. Consult your physician for full details.

    I bought a Panasonic eWear photo printer which takes my camera's SD card and produces a passport sized photo on the spot. The ability to give away images in the field really helped me improve my people pictures, even if the photos are too small to keep. The printer is about the size of my iPod, maybe a little thicker, and has a good lithium battery. Stock up on the special ink cartridge and paper supplies.

    If camping in Mali, you'll want the open air mosquito net. Sleeping outside can be risky though as a sudden thunderstorm can surprise one during the middle of the night.

    Don't be afraid to load the knapsack up with electronics. We had no fear of robbers during our entire trip. Keep the packpack colors cool and without brandname badges though. If you take the public transportation, you may be carrying more in value than the annual salaries of the rest of the passengers combined.

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    Cannulas
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  • tini58de
  • By tini58de on December 27, 2003
  • Mali Page by tini58de
  • Mali Packing Lists
    by tini58de
    We were extremely lucky to help a military post and the health center there with some cannulas! We donated about 5 of them - which was a year's supply for them!!! And our sick passenger was happy to get an infusion with a sterile cannula!

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    Compass
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  • tini58de
  • Updated By tini58de on December 27, 2003
  • Mali Page by tini58de
  • which way to go? - Mali
    which way to go?
    by tini58de
    When heading north, you should make sure to take some sort of navigation system with you - at least a compass, because in the desert you don't find any readable signs!

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    Packing List
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  • lalakante
  • By lalakante on August 26, 2002
  • Mali Page by lalakante
  • Mali Packing Lists
    by lalakante
    Be careful packing your fragile items; the airport in Bamako really knows how to bash up some luggage. Here's a picture of my giraffe that they broke the nose off of, haha.

    light clothing, try to cover up as much skin as possible at night so you don't get eaten by mosquitos. When you're travelling long distance make sure you bring a scarf or something to cover your face to filter the dust. Don't wear shorts (not culturally accepted, but they won't throw things at you if you wear them). ;)

    lots of bug spray! The mosquitos at night are rediculous. Also if you have hemmerhoids, bring some ointment because it's very hard to find, even in Bamako.

    Make sure you have a power converter because the wattage in Mali is different than it is in N. America. (I can't remember what it is off the top of my head...) Also make sure you keep your equipment in it's case when not in use and keep it clean as the great amount of dust in the air can damage the internal parts of your camera.

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    Packing List
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  • ShaunKerry
  • Updated By ShaunKerry on August 26, 2002
  • Mali Page by ShaunKerry
  • We took 4 large duffel bags and folded 2 up into the other 2. One bage was for our stuff, and the other was stuffed with bubble-wrap and scotch tape to protect the art we would buy. Gave us plenty of room to bring back things. There are always people to carry your bags. Porters are very plentiful in third-world countries.

    Adventure Travel

    Take a little spray bottle with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and citronella oil. It won't irritate the skin. There are all sorts of inset repellants out there but I prefer citronella because it is a natural essential oil and is not toxic. It will evaporate in 4 hours so use it repeatedly. Spray your clothes and your bed, windows, all over. We took a mosquito net but didn't use it. Had no problem with bugs.

    Canon rebel with 28-200 zoom lens. Kodak 100 Royal Gold film 36 exposures.

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    Packing List
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  • laetitiad
  • By laetitiad on August 25, 2002
  • Mali Page by laetitiad
  • light long pants : avoid short pants wherever you're going. People won't say anything, but they'll stare at you.

    A very good insect repellent

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    Packing List
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  • By sociolingo on August 25, 2002
  • Mali Page by sociolingo
  • Handlers tend to throw baggage around and leave them on trolleys in the open, so make sure bags are sturdy with padlocks, and tuck black sacks around the zip area if travelling in the rainy season.

    Women:
    Take some short sleeve tops and skirts or trousers. Trousers are OK in Bamako.

    Malaria tablets; diarhoea tablets (e.g. Imodium);
    Water purification tablets/iodine or even better a Katadyne water filter.

    APS film is difficult to find and process.

    Mosquito net ...get the rectangualr kind as a lot of places have ceiling fans and it is almost impossible to hang a single hook one up.

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    Guidebook
    worldtraveler55
  • By worldtraveler55 on January 14, 2009
  • Mali Page by worldtraveler55
  • Mali Packing Lists
    by worldtraveler55

    Bradt
    Mali

    ISBN: 1-84162-077-7

    2nd Edition 2004

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    Travel Map
    worldtraveler55
  • By worldtraveler55 on January 14, 2009
  • Mali Page by worldtraveler55
  • Mali Packing Lists
    by worldtraveler55

    Instituut Geographique National
    Mali

    ISBN: 3-282118-50081-9

    scale 1 : 2.000.000

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