Traffic patterns differ considerably from western driving standards. Visiting motorists should be particularly cautious, especially if they are unfamiliar with the uneven road surfaces and the vehicle they are driving. It is important to remember that driving in a visiting country need not be dangerous providing the right caution and common sense is applied to individual situations.
Stops at customs and police checkpoints are frequent on major roads and driving is particularly hazardous after dark.

City Driving

• Particular care should be taken if driving in Bamako. Driving in city centres can, at times, be quite daunting, especially during the rush hour

• It's also worth noting that a large number of motorcycles are in circulation and sometimes pedestrians are not aware of the danger

City Driving

• The main road runs from Sikasso in the south to Bamako, and to Mopti and Gao

• The roads from Bamako to Mopti, Douentza, Koutiala, Sikasso and Bougouni, along with a few other roads, are paved

• Between Mopti and Gao, travel can be difficult during the rainy season (mid-June to mid-September) when the Niger, at its confluence with the Bani, splits into a network of channels, and floods its banks to form the marshlands of the Macina

• It is advised not to drive outside cities without a chauffeur

• Night driving is very dangerous

• Most roads are unpaved