Travel Information


Hotel Information

The conference will take place at:

AZALAI HOTEL SALAM
Quartier du Fleuve - BP 104 - Bamako – Mali
Tél : + (223) 20 22 12 00 Fax : + (223) 20 22 36 37
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: http://www.azalaihotels.com/salam.php
Group room rate: 75,000 FCFA (approximately 116 euros)

A limited number of rooms have been set aside at this discounted rate. To reserve a room at the Azalai Hotel Salam you must send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it providing your name, arrival and departure dates, and mention you are reserving a room for the "Bioinformatics Conference" at the discounted room rate of 75,000 FCA (normal rates are 90,000 and if you do not mention the conference you will not be offered the group rate). A one night deposit is required at the time of reservation and can be made with a credit card (Visa or American Express only), or by wire transfer. Please contact Seydou Doumbia This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you require the wire transfer details.

Several additional area hotel options recommended by the local organizers are noted below. In all cases, reservations are accepted by phone, fax or email (be sure to follow up on faxed or emailed reservations to ensure a confirmation is received) and you should mention "Bioinformatics conference" to secure the rates noted below if rooms are available at the time of your reservation request. . If you are having any problems making a reservation at the hotel of your choice, please contact Seydou Doumbia This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for assistance. An alternate selection may be necessary if the hotel sells out.

HOTEL MASSALEY
Hamdallaye ACI 2000 - BP E 3245 - Bamako – Mali
Tél : + (223) 20 29 46 58 or + (223) 20 29 46 59 or + (223) 20 29 54 56 // Fax : + (223) 20 29 50 53
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (use this email for making reservations)
Website: www.afribone.net.ml/massaley/index.html
Room rate: 40,000 FCFA (approximately 62 euros)

HOTEL LES COLONNES
ACI 2000 - Hamdallaye - Avenue du Mali - Bamako – Mali
Tél : + (223) 20 23 46 29 // Fax : + (223) 20 23 46 28
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.hotellescolonnes2002.com
Room rates: 22,000-27,500 FCFA (rate ranges from ~34-42 euros)

HOTEL COLUMBUS
Hamdallaye ACI 2000 - Bamako – Mali
Tél : + (223) 20 29 68 83 Fax : + (223) 20 29 68 84
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   cc: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: None.
Group room rate: ~26,000-30,000 FCFA (rate ranges from ~40-45 euros)

HOTEL MIRABEAU
Quartier du Fleuve - Rue 311 - BP E 3506 - Bamako – Mali
Tél : + (223) 20 23 53 19 // Fax : + (223) 20 23 11 77
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: None, although the local organizers consider this hotel to be very nice.
Room rates (including breakfast): ~46,000 FCFA (approximately 70 euros)

LAICO EL FAROUK BAMAKO HOTEL (online reservations also accepted through hotel website - select the El Farouk Bamako Hotel from drop down list (hotel is ~1-2km from Hotel Salam)
Boulevard du 22 Octobre 1945 - Quartier du Fleuve - BP E 1560 - Bamako – Mali
Tél : + (223) 20 22 30 30 or (223) 20 23 18 30 // Fax : + (223) 20 22 61 61
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: http://laicohotels.com/
Group room rate: ~89,000 FCFA (136 Euros)

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Destination Information

Mali is a French speaking nation that become independent of France in 1960. The currency is FCFA, which is fixed at 1 euro = 655 FCFA.

Bamako, population ~1,7M (2006), is the capital and largest city of Mali, and currently estimated to be one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. It is located on the Niger River, near the rapids that divide the Upper and Middle Niger Valleys, in the south-western part of the country. The name of the capital city comes from the Bambara word meaning "place of crocodiles". Bamako is the nation's administrative center, with a river port located in nearby Koulikoro, and a major regional trade and conference center. Bamako is the 7th largest West African urban center after Lagos, Abidjan, Kano, Ibadan, Dakar and Accra. Bamako is a cosmopolitan city with vast experience in hosting international meetings.

The country of Mali covers an area of 1,241,000 km² and has approximately 10,400,000 inhabitants. The country shares its borders with Algeria in the north, Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea in the south, Niger and Burkina-Faso in the east and Mauritania and Senegal in the west. Mali became independent of France in 1960. The population is unevenly distributed with 65% of the population concentrated in 25% of the country, especially along the river Niger, which is an important economic axis. The economy relies essentially on agriculture, pastoral activities and fishing. The agro-pastoral sector employs more than 80% of the population

Mali was the cradle of western African civilisation in the Middle Ages. Thus, it is no coincidence that the country hosts four UNESCO world heritage classified sites: Tombouctou, famous for its ancient mosques; Djenné, the one thousand year old city entirely built in banco; the mythical Dogon; and the Tombeau des Askias in the city of Gao. Mali is a multi-party democracy. Since 1992 the Malian constitutional regime has opted for decentralisation, that is, increasing the responsibility of the communities in the management of public affairs. Since 2003 the President of the Republic of Mali is the former general Amadou Toumani Touré.

Mali is one of the African countries most respectful of the freedom of the press on the African continent, according to Reporters without Borders.

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Local Travel

Several governments have posted travel advisories regarding areas in the north of Mali (between 500 - 1500 KM to the north of Bamako). Please read these advisories for information related to travel outside of the Bamako area.

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Local Laws and Customs

  • Local laws reflect the fact that Mali is a Muslim country. Women are expected to dress modestly.

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Entry Visa and Vaccine Requirements

  • Yellow Fever vaccination certificate - You must have a valid international vaccination card with a valid yellow fever immunisation.
  • Travelling with children - For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Mali Embassy in Brussels.

Requirements to obtain VISA to enter Mali


U.S. Passport or passport of any other nationality, must have at least 6 months remaining validity from the day of entry into the country for which VISA has been applied for. If validity is less than 6 months ETS will renew your passport (Fee's apply).

   

Mali Tourist Visa

  • A valid passsport with atleast 6 months validity remaining
  • Two (2) completed application forms
  • Two (2) passport size photographs
  • Copy of the airline itinerary or flight ticket
  • Copy of the green card or a valid visa for return to the USA
  • Copy of the yellow fever certificate
  • Copy of the hotel reservation


Mali Business Visa

  • A valid passsport with atleast 6 months validity remaining
  • Two (2) completed application forms
  • Two (2) passport size photographs
  • A company cover letter with the purpose and duration of the trip
  • A letter of invitation from the host company in Mali
  • Copy of the airline itinerary or flight ticket
  • Copy of the green card or a valid visa for return to the USA
  • Copy of the yellow fever certificate
  • Copy of the hotel reservation

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Health

  • Medical facilities in Mali are very limited.

  • Cholera, malaria and other tropical diseases are common to Mali. Outbreaks of meningitis also occur, usually from the end of February to mid-April. Since mid-March 2007, Malian health services have recorded nearly 400 cases of meningitis with 26 deaths, with the majority of cases occurring in the Sikasso, Koutiala and Bamako regions.

  • You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Mali you should seek immediate medical attention.

  • In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 93,000 adults aged 15 or over in Mali were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.5% of the adult population.

  • You should seek medical advice before travelling to Mali and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the government you are a national of. Beware that vaccinations and other required medicines will vary widely depending on your country of residence and ethnicity.

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General

  • Insurance - We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling. This should include cover for medical treatment and evacuation, accidents, cancelled flights and stolen cash, credit cards, passport and luggage. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.
  • Money - Major banks and hotels accept credit cards and travellers cheques.

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