Major city · Mali
Adrar des Ifoghas
Plan a 7‑10‑day trek with guide and 4x4; skip if you lack supplies or security clearance.
Adrar des Ifoghas is a remote Saharan plateau in eastern Mali, covering ~250,000 km². Its landscape features granite outcrops, sandstone, gueltas, rock paintings and camel‑trek routes. Because of extreme remoteness, a guided 4×4 expedition of at least a week is required to explore safely.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XOF
- Best months
- Oct–Feb (cooler desert nights, less sandstorm risk)
- avoid Jun–Aug (peak heat, limited water sources)
- Airport
- KDI
- Nights
- 7–10
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…Check your own government travel advice for Mali before a…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Mali ↗Check your own government travel advice for Mali before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Mali ↗Entry is controlled by the transitional authorities; road routes are unsafe and no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Mali ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Mali before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Adrar des Ifoghas17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Adrar des Ifoghas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cash in CFA francs or euros carries most payments: see Insurance & payments above.Mali-wide
- SafetyTravel is high‑risk due to security situation and desert hazards; only go with a vetted guide and 4×4.
- Emergency numbers17 police · 15 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKDI Kidal Airport (Serves Kidal, about 30 min by road to the main base).
- Getting aroundHire a 4×4 with an experienced Tuareg guide; travel times vary 2–4 h between settlements.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KDI Kidal Airport (Serves Kidal, about 30 min by road to the main base)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Feb
Best
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Mar
not flagged
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Apr
not flagged
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
May
not flagged
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
Jun
Avoid
50°C (122°F)122°F (50°C)
Jul
Avoid
52°C (126°F)126°F (52°C)
Aug
Avoid
52°C (126°F)126°F (52°C)
Sep
not flagged
50°C (122°F)122°F (50°C)
Oct
Best
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Nov
Best
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Dec
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Best: Oct–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (52°C (126°F)126°F (52°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Adrar des Ifoghas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Feb
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Mar
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Apr
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
May
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Jun
50°C (122°F)122°F (50°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Jul
52°C (126°F)126°F (52°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
0 rd
Aug
52°C (126°F)126°F (52°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
0 rd
Sep
50°C (122°F)122°F (50°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Oct
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Nov
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Dec
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Hire a 4×4 with an experienced Tuareg guide; travel times vary 2–4 h between settlements. No public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tilemsi Valley
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
4×4 with guide, about 2 h from Kidal
Scenic desert valley with granite outcrops
Rock paintings site (Essouk)
goDoor to door: ≈3 h
4×4, 3 h from Kidal via Aguelhok
Ancient petroglyphs dating to 8000 BCE
Camel trek route
goDoor to door: ≈4 h
Hire camel from local Tuareg family, 4 h to start point
Multi‑day trek across sand dunes; guide required
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kidal (regional capital)
Base for guides and 4×4 hire; limited food, basic guesthouse.
Tessalit border post
Small Tuareg town, offers family meals if arranged.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- XOF 2,500–4,000 excl. guide/vehicle
- Mid
- XOF 4,000–7,000 excl. guide/vehicle
Trip budget
| Guesthouse in Kidal2 × 8 nights × XOF 2,500 | XOF 40,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 8 days × XOF 5,000 | XOF 80,000 |
| 4×4 with guide, 7‑day hire1 × XOF 180,000 · check | XOF 180,000 |
| Water and food supplies (2 weeks)1 × XOF 80,000 · check | XOF 80,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XOF 57,000 |
| Trip total≈ XOF 27,310 per person per day, bed included | XOF 437,000 |
Basic room, shared facilities
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal with Tuareg family | XOF 3,000–5,000 |
| Camel trek per day | XOF 15,000–25,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Extreme remoteness – bring two weeks of water, food and fuel.
- Venomous snakes, scorpions and hyenas active at night – keep tents sealed.
- Dust storms can appear suddenly – carry emergency shelter.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Medical
- 15
Pocket card
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Adrar des IfoghasAdrar des Ifoghas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police17
- Medical15
Embassy
My embassy: —
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Adrar des Ifoghas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Feb (cooler desert nights, less sandstorm risk) · avoid Jun–Aug (peak heat, limited water sources)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Adrar des Ifoghas
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