Major city · Mali
Goundam
Goundam is a half-day stop for travellers already in the Timbuktu region: see the Grand Mosque, walk the market, then move on. One night only if you need to break a journey.
Goundam is a small Tuareg and Songhay town 97 km southwest of Timbuktu, with a historic mud-brick mosque and a local stadium. It has no major sights beyond the mosque and the market; most travellers use it as a brief stop between Timbuktu and the Niger River at Diré.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XOF
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (cool and dry)
- avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season, roads may be poor)
- Airport
- TOM
- Nights
- 0–1
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
Emergency numbers for Goundam17 ▾
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 Goundam, 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
- SafetyNorthern Mali is a high-risk area for kidnapping and armed conflict.
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTOM Timbuktu Airport (About 97 km (60 mi) by road; 4x4 recommended, about 2 h).TOM Timbuktu Airport (About 60 mi (97 km) by road; 4x4 recommended, about 2 h).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Shared taxi Timbuktu–GoundamcheckXOF 10,000–15,000 per person
- Budget bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomXOF 10,000
- Mid-range bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomXOF 15,000
- High-end bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomXOF 25,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XOF 20,000 · Mid XOF 35,000 · High XOF 50,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
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
- TOM Timbuktu Airport (About 97 km (60 mi) by road; 4x4 recommended, about 2 h)TOM Timbuktu Airport (About 60 mi (97 km) by road; 4x4 recommended, about 2 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Mar
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Apr
not flagged
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
May
not flagged
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
Jun
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Jul
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Aug
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Sep
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Oct
not flagged
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Nov
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Dec
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)), coolest Jan (13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C) low), wettest Aug (11 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Goundam: 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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Feb
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Mar
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Apr
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
May
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
3 rd
Jun
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
7 rd
Jul
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10 rd
Aug
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Sep
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
Oct
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Nov
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°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
Walkable centre. For Diré or Timbuktu, hire a 4x4 or shared taxi from the market area.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2.5 h
4x4 via the highway, about 2 h
Main regional hub; see the Sankore and Djinguereber mosques.
Diré
goDoor to door: About 1 h
4x4 or shared taxi, about 35 km (22 mi), 45 min4x4 or shared taxi, about 22 mi (35 km), 45 min
Niger River port; connect to boat services.
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.
Town centre
A few basic guesthouses; check conditions in advance.
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 15,000–25,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- XOF 25,000–40,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic guesthouse room1 × 1 night × XOF 10,000 | XOF 10,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × XOF 20,000 | XOF 40,000 |
| 4x4 transfer Timbuktu–Goundam one way1 × XOF 50,000 · check | XOF 50,000 |
| Buffer 20%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XOF 20,000 |
| Trip total≈ XOF 60,000 per person per day, bed included | XOF 120,000 |
2026 estimate in CFA francs; transport from Timbuktu or Bamako excluded.
Prices of common things
| Shared taxi Timbuktu–Goundamcheck | XOF 10,000–15,000 per person |
| Simple meal (rice, sauce, fish or meat) | XOF 1,500–3,000 |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | XOF 500–1,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Security situation in northern Mali is volatile: read your government travel advice before any trip.
- Roads to Timbuktu and Diré are unpaved and can be impassable after rain.
- No bank or ATM in Goundam; bring enough CFA francs from Timbuktu or Bamako.
- Accommodation is very basic; confirm availability before arrival.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GoundamGoundam
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Yan ka taaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire18
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Timbuktu → Goundam, 4x4: about XOF 10,000–15,000 per person, about 2 h (check)
Say or show
- I ni ce — Hello (ee nee cheh)
- I ni ce — Thank you (ee nee cheh)
- Joli? — How much? (joh-lee)
- Misiri be min? — Where is the mosque? (mee-see-ree beh meen)
Bambara is widely understood; French is the working language.
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 Goundam. 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: Nov–Feb (cool and dry) · avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season, roads may be poor)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 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 Goundam
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