Introduction
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What to Do in Gao
Sites & Festivals
Potential Circuits
Desert Camel Treks
Niger River Trips
Great Spots Near Gao

Learn About Gao
History & People
Gao Today
Gao Fast Facts

What Will My Vacation Look Like? Visit the On-line Gao Photo Gallery.

Planning Your Trip
Getting to Gao
Travel Agencies
Tour Guides
Best Times to Visit
Visas / WHO Cards
Gao Trip Planner
Gao Tourist Map

Where to Stay & Eat
Lodging
Restaurants & Bars

Other Info
Gao Cultural Norms
Health & Safety
Mali in the News
More Info?  Links!
FAQs

Other Great Places to Visit in Mali
Timbuktu
Dogon Country
Mopti
Djenn� Mud Mosque
Bamako & S�gou

Learn About Mali
History & People
Mali Today
Mali Fast Facts

Mali Photo Gallery

About Us
What is OMATHO?
Gao Tourist Center
Meet the Staff
Contact Us

1. When is the best time to visit Gao?
2. When are Niger River trips at their best?
3. How long does it take to get to Gao?
4. Is the desert always hot?
5. Are tour guides required?
6. How do I know if a tour guide is a legitimate guide?
7. Is visiting Gao safe?
8. What languages are spoken in Gao and Mali?
9. Can I see animals in or near Gao?
10. What is the country code for telephoning Mali?
11. What is Mali's currency?  What are the exchange rates?
12. Is Timbuktu a real place?
13. What prices are negotiable in Mali?

When is the best time to visit Gao? - The high tourist season corresponds with the annual cool season between late December and March.  The second best time to visit is between October and mid-December as temperatures are pleasant and there are far fewer tourists.
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When are Niger river trips at the best? - The annual rains fall mostly between June and August, so the Niger River rises after that reaching its peak in October or November.  But, the river is generally high between September and March.  Most river trips can be done all year, but it's more enjoyable (more colorful, more birds, etc.) when the river is high.
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How long does it take to get to Gao? - The trip from Bamako to Gao on a public bus usually takes between 17 - 20 hours.  Private 4x4's generally cover the Bamako to Gao trip in about 12-16 hours but normally split the voyage into two days with a night in Mopti / Sevar�.  Sevar� to Gao can be done in as little as 6 hours in a private 4x4. depending on the number of stops made along the way.
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Is the desert always hot? - No, it's not always hot.  In fact, the lack of vegetation means that nights, especially, can be quite cool.  If you come during the cool season, make sure to pack some warm clothes.  You can get quite a chill at night.  But, no, it never snows here.
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Are tour guides required? - No, guides are not required in Mali, except in a few culturally sensitive areas of Dogon Country.  Independent travelers who want to do it all themselves have the freedom to do just that.  Guides can be particularly helpful to find great lesser known spots as well as to facilitate language and cultural hurdles, but they are not required.
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How do I know if a tour guide is a legitimate guide? - There are a lot of "guides" in Mali and not all of them are legitimate guides.  The first way to verify a guide's professionalism is to ask to see a guide's official credentials.  All guides in Mali, who passed a qualifying exam in June 2005, were issued a picture ID card along with an ID badge.  Ask to see these credentials.  If you are still unsure, visit the tourism bureau, OMATHO, located in Bamako and every regional capital.  They maintain lists of every official guide and can offer recommendations to help meet your needs.
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Is visiting Gao safe? - Visiting Gao is completely safe.  There have been no recent incidents with tourist security or safety.  Check with your consular or foreign affairs officials for more information.  Some warnings may exist for trips into the desert far north of Gao or Timbuktu.
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What languages are spoken in Gao and Mali? - French is the official language of Mali.  In Gao, Songha� and Tamashek are commonly spoken while a minority of people here also speak other languages, such as Arab, Bambara, Peul, Dogon, etc.  The most common local language in Mali is Bambara, spoken by probably at least 60% of Malians, mostly in the southern part of the country.
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Can I see animals in or near Gao? - Yes.  The town is full of donkeys, goats, and sheep, but maybe you want something a little more wild.  You can see or ride camels during trips into the bush, or you can see camels being bought or sold at weekly animal markets in Djebok and Wabaria.  Also, if you want to see some even wilder animals, you can take a half-day boat ride from Gao to Tasharan to see hippos or also, seasonally, you can track the desert elephants near Gossi.  A stunning array of migratory birds are also abundant along the river during the high water season between September and March.  The Niger River is great for bird watchers.
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What is the country code for telephoning Mali? - Mali's country code is 223.  Add it to the beginning of any Mali number when calling from outside the country.
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What is Mali's currency?  What are the exchange rates? - Mali uses the CFA, which stands for Communaut� Financi�re de l'Afrique.  The CFA is used in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal.  The exchange rate to the U.S. dollar floats freely but has recently been in the 550 CFA to $1 range while the exchange rate against the Euro is fixed at 656 CFA to �1.
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Is Timbuktu a real place? - Yes, Timbuktu is very real, and it's located in northern Mali.  Niger River trips between Gao and Timbuktu are extremely beautiful and rewarding.
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What prices are negotiable in Mali? - Many prices are negotiable in Mali.  Usually you will find that food items in the market are not negotiable, but almost everything else in the market is negotiable from plastic buckets to flip flops.  All artisan / tourist products are negotiable.  If you are arranging a guide in Mali, the price is negotiable.  Ask other travelers what they paid to get an idea of an appropriate price.  Most packaged tours like with Point Afrique are not negotiable, but it never hurts to ask and see what happens.
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Other Info

Gao Cultural Norms

Health & Safety

Mali in the News

More Info?  Links!

FAQs