Hi There, we did Atar - Tidjikja - Allow 4 nights for this trip.
Then we went Ayoun el Atrous to Nioro Southbound.
Kayes to Kiffa Northbound -we did not do Tidjikja-Nema.
This is a long stage - about 6-700km ? so it was too much time for us to do - also the Paris Dakar was racing at this time Tidjikja -Nema with no GPS and they were having lots of trouble - vehicles everywhere ! so we stayed clear of this route - a Kamaz is bigger than my 90 !!!

The route from Nara - Akor- Sokolo- Niono- Segou was one of the highlights for me - very little development and friendly people in traditional villages - the kids didnt know the word Cadeau - which made a refreshing change.
Its a good way to get out to Tombouctou without going into Bamako.

Bamako - Kayes - Kiffa was a great trip for driving better terrain and navigation required - but too slow for you - Nioro - Ayoun will be better - especially if the asphalt is finished - for a quicker way home.


If you have a time constraint just be aware that Mauritania is slow going for everything - often there are fuel shortages and Visa delays which can mess your plans up - and lots of checkpoints !!!

I think you will struggle to do that many countries in 25 days, I would not go to Senegal, but do a loop in Mali instead.

Its up to the Individual - but I would get Insurance in both countries - a few checkpoints ask for it - some German guys we met in Bamako drove without and it cost them alot of Euros and problems.

Cheers Grif

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Ex RAF Regt, Ex Dragoman, LRE Instructor,
LR 90 300 Tdi Overlander
Suzuki DR650 Overlander
..and Bloody Nice Bloke!

[This message has been edited by Gipper (edited 17 February 2005).]

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca