Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Oct 2012
kingkurt's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 88
Any Unleaded Fuel in Mauritania?

Hi all

I have decided today that as we are driving as far as Dakhlar in Western Sahara we might as well go across into Mauritania for a week mostly to visit the 'Eye of the Sahara' (as long as we can get visas in Rabat that is)

But, My car takes unleaded and I cannot see any reference to any Unleaded fuel sold anywhere there and I dont think I will be able to bring any across the border in the two 20 ltr cans we have

Any info would be greatly appreciated

cheers

Kurt
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Oct 2012
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
I seriously doubt it...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11 Oct 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Kraków
Posts: 131
unleaded in Mauritania

Quote:
Originally Posted by kingkurt View Post
Hi all

I have decided today that as we are driving as far as Dakhlar in Western Sahara we might as well go across into Mauritania for a week mostly to visit the 'Eye of the Sahara' (as long as we can get visas in Rabat that is)

But, My car takes unleaded and I cannot see any reference to any Unleaded fuel sold anywhere there and I dont think I will be able to bring any across the border in the two 20 ltr cans we have

Any info would be greatly appreciated

cheers

Kurt
The rules at the W.S./no men land/ Mauritania border are quite flexible.
Last year we had a couple of full cans of diesel on the roof.
There are to ways of dealing with officers:
1. If you have time, just smile a lot and pretend that you don't know a single word in French. They will eventually have to let you through.
2. If you don't have time, you can solve the problem by giving "a gift".

Unfortunately 99 percent of wesern travellers choose the second way therefore every single officer will probably like to say "hallo" and then after having a small friendly chitchat he will eventually get to the point.

If you like adventure, choose the second way

AFAIK unleaded is not the most popular type of fuel in Mauritania. On some fuel stations (especially in backcountry) you will find only diesel. On others, petrol (I suppose: leaded) is sold from cans.

If you decide to bring unleaded from W.S. to "The Eye of the Sahara" (and back?)you would need lots of it.

Alternatively you can dismount your catalytic converter or buy Mercedes 190D
__________________
www.globerider.pl
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Oct 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Kraków
Posts: 131
unleaded in Africa

I was wrong.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Scott View Post
According to these 2011 UN maps of fuel in Africa:
North Africa
sub-Saharan
all of Africa except [south] Algeria has been unleaded for many years. I was surprised to hear this, but the whole cat removal thing (as suggested in AMH) could be unnecessary. More common might be low octane fuel - normale - in remote places but which some efi bikes can handle better than old ones.

For Mali, see sub-Saharan forum.

No Mori visas at the WS/Mori border. Get it in Rabat.

Ch
__________________
www.globerider.pl
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11 Oct 2012
kingkurt's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 88
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomek View Post
I was wrong.
Yeah, I saw these but am still not totally convinced.

I think I will wait until im in WS and talk to people there then I will decide whether or not to take my own across the border

As for the border crossing and bribes, I have never paid bribes on borders before and I have been over Russian, Kazakhstan and Mongolian borders so Im sure this one should be ok, just put on my blank face :confused1:

cheers
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11 Oct 2012
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
Your car can probably handle leaded, it is your catalytical converter that doesn't. Your car will probably run fine, but you might not pass emission tests when you get back.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12 Oct 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Posts: 104
kingkurt
NO unleaded gasoline in Mauritania. In other hand, leaded has just round 70 octane's! You can expect much higher fuel consumption. Leaded fuel is also difficult to find. I found it last year only on yellow marked gasoline stations. In midpoint between Nouahdibou and Nouakchott sometimes you can get it. But from Nouakchott till Atar just diesel in Akjout.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Unleaded fuel in Mongolia. greynomads Northern and Central Asia 9 31 Jul 2012 15:51
Cairo-Cape Town unleaded fuel? Mike K. Route Planning 2 12 Jul 2012 11:20
Availability of unleaded fuel - Mongolia greynomads Northern and Central Asia 2 14 Jun 2012 14:41
Mauritania trip report Jose Brito North Africa 12 10 Jan 2012 14:02
increasing fuel capacity Robertsmits Tech 9 19 Dec 2011 13:42

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 23:43.