When to go
The best time to visit Mali is winter, from
December to February.
By February, the heat increases and it starts to get hot in the south, while in January, sandstorms raised by the Harmattan begin to be more frequent in the north-central, so the best month overall is
December.
However, it is useful to recall that in this season, nights can be cold in the north, where the temperature may drop near freezing, while in Bamako and in the south, it can get to around 8/10 °C (46/50 °F).
What to pack
In
winter: bring light clothes for the day, long and made of natural fabric (cotton or linen), a desert turban for the wind-borne sand and dust, sunglasses (even graduated instead of contact lenses), a jacket and a sweater for the evening, desert boots or sandals, and a sweatshirt or sweater for boat trips on the Niger River.
In
summer: for the desert, bring lightweight clothes, of natural fabric (cotton or linen), a desert turban; a sweater for the night, and a sleeping bag to sleep outdoors. For Bamako and the south, light clothes, an umbrella or a light raincoat, and possibly a sweatshirt for the rain showers.
It's better for women to avoid shorts and miniskirts.
Back to the climate of
Mali