Dropping Taxis
Significantly more expensive than shared taxis or gbakas, but still cheap when compared to Western standards. Make sure you negotiate and agree on a price before setting out.
Shared Taxis
Cheaper than dropping taxis, ride with other passengers, fixed price and routes.
Bus
There are several bus options for intercity travel in Mali. I would recommend Bani, Sanef, and Sama Transport as reliable companies with buses in relatively good condition.
Sotramas
Mali’s version of the African mini-bus. The cheapest transportation option and also the least safe. A sotrama is a mini-bus that has been completely gutted on the interior. The seats have been replaced with wooden benches around the perimeter. In other words, there is no back support. Don’t be surprised if more than 22 people are piled into the back. Avoid the corner seats at all costs – extreme discomfort.
Boats & Ferries
From July until December, the Niger is high enough that boat travel is possible on large stretches of the river. Mopti is a major port and you can find all manner of boats and ferries here.
