Route after Mauritania

[joaopdelgado]

I´m heading to Mauritania in a 2WD and i will visit the country. Although, after that i´m not sure what to do. Go to Mali and try to reach timbuktu, or head south to Senegal and Guinea. Which route do you think i should do? Which is the best? Which is the safest?

I´m used to go to Morocco and Western Sahara, but not for Mauritania and Mali. If i go to Mali, is it possible to come back through Algeria? (there´s a nice boat from tunisia to valencia). I was told by a friend that Mali/Algeria border is NOT ok.

Thanks.

João

[ctc]

Ref: Is it possible to cross between Mali and Algeria?

The answer is yes, I did so back in late 2001. (Gao - Tamanrasset). Their is an Algerian consulate in Gao who can issue you with a two week transit visa for Algeria. The owners of Sahara Passion in Gao should also be able to assist you in this. I would also strongly recommend that you take a local guide who is familiar with the crossing and that you accept that there is a remote possibility of your meeting bandits. Sahara Passion sourced a guide for us who had a wife in each town!

We did not light any fires at night and camped off the road. There is a history of banditry in the region and it was quite a stressful crossing. Duration 3 to 5 days.

One other point, I doubt you'll make Timboctou to Gao in a 2wd. Its very sandy and rutted.

In a 2wd I'd probably cross to the south of the Niger at Timboctou (ferry) and head for Douentza and then take the road to Gao.

Good luck.