Mali travel advice
A summary of the UK government’s (FCDO) travel advice for Mali, last updated by the FCDO on 10 July 2026. The full advice on GOV.UK is the authoritative version.
FCDO status
FCDO advises against all travel to the whole country
Latest FCDO update (10 July 2026): Updated information about recent terrorist attacks in Mali (‘Safety and security’ page).
Warnings (from the FCDO, word for word)
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
FCDO advises against all travel to Mali
FCDO advises against all travel to the whole of the Mali due to the unpredictable security conditions.
If you’re in Mali, you should leave immediately by commercial flight if you judge it safe to do so.
Do not try to leave Mali by overland routes to neighbouring countries as this is too dangerous. This is due to terrorist attacks along national highways.
Terrorist group Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) has implemented blockades on key routes throughout Southern and Western Mali, including the capital city of Bamako. These blockades are targeting fuel trucks and are enforcing checkpoints for individuals attempting to pass through them. Attacks can occur at any time.
There is a high threat of kidnapping and criminal activity across Mali, including in the capital, Bamako.
If you choose to remain in Mali, you do so at your own risk. You should have a personal emergency plan that does not rely on the UK government.
For more detail see Fuel shortages and Terrorism in Mali in the Safety and security page.
If you are a British national already in Mali, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
UK government support
Support for British nationals is severely limited in Mali, especially outside Bamako.
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.
Passport validity
To enter Mali, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
From FCDO: entry requirements. Written for British passport holders.
Recent FCDO updates
- 10 July 2026: Updated information about recent terrorist attacks in Mali (‘Safety and security’ page).
- 10 June 2026: Updated information about recent terrorist attacks in Mali (‘Safety and security’ page).
- 2 May 2026: Removal of information about curfew that finished on 1 May. (Warnings and insurance)
Plan your trip
This page shows the FCDO’s headline status and quotes its text word for word; we don’t reword safety advice. It refreshes automatically, so it can lag GOV.UK by up to a day. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: FCDO foreign travel advice on GOV.UK. FCDO advice is written for British nationals; other nationalities should also check their own government’s advice.