Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
bamako to mauretanie bamako to mauretanie
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26 Mar 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 7
bamako to mauretanie
Hi, We are travelling in west-africa with an old VW Van. As we don't want to sell the car, we are planning to drive back to Belgium. We are leaving Bamako for Mauretanie next week. Which road is most recommended to reach the "Route de l'espoir" in Mauretania?
thanks!!! tom and tine
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 27 Mar 2004
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Wakefield, QC, Canada
Posts: 273
Tom,
See my reply to your first posting in "Travellers' Advisory..."
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Mar 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 4
Hi,

We did this route the other way round in January... from Bamako the road is sealed as far as about Didieni (as far as I remember) then it's a badly graded dirt road with bone shaking corrugations as far as Diema. No problem with a VW bus, so long as it holds together. After Diema the road is really rough - deep dusty sandy sections, ruts, basically fallen apart. No problem in anything with decent ground clearance and a bit of power to get through the crap. That's as far as Nioro, after which it's good. Into Mauritania the road is partly brand new - we didn't even see a border post, it's that new. Other bits are under construction, or ordinary dirt road. From Ayoun the Route D'espoir is in excellent condition. Have a good trip - the only vehicles we saw were donkey carts and lorries converted into local buses. I guess most people probably take the other route and go via Nema - we didn't, so I can't tell you what the road is like that way.

Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 29 Mar 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 7
Thanks werner,

I think we go for the Nara-Nema option as this should be the piste with the most traffic. Only security clouldn't be guaranteed but where can this...

tom
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 30 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 479
The route via Nema was pretty straightforward. We took three days to go from Nouachout to Bamako. It was slightly difficult finding the right track from Nema down to the border post as there were lots of offshoots but the conditions weren't that difficult. We ended up going directly cross country with some locals following a donkey track which was slightly harder but providing you have good clearance, you should be fine. There were lots of wash outs, pot holes etc on the road to Nouachout - Nema but again perfectly managable.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 30 Mar 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 7
Thanks Toby,

we heard that the road indeed is'nt that bad to Nema, but embassies don't guarantee the security between Nara and Nema. But in which year did you cross?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 30 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 479
We went trans africa in 2001 - 2002 and crossed between Nema - Nara on the 19th / 20th Dec 2001. We certainly had no concerns about security on that section and I hadn't heard of any security concerns since. (we were far more disturbed by being stopped two days later in the evening in central Cote D'Ivoire by several soldiers dressed like Rambo who were extremely edgy and suggested we got off the road as quickly as possible as "there were bad people about". Given we had to drive another hour to the next settlement, it wasn't ideal.

The Nema - Nara section was fine - we got kept at the police point at Nema for 1 hour by an over officious Policeman who wanted to write our details down in his log but insisted on stopping every few seconds to go outside the hut to wave anybody past, not that they were stopping anyway. We then ended up with three locals in the front passenger seat giving us direction cross country to the border post. The Mauritanian Policeman on the border was half asleep and we didn't have any problems.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 20 Apr 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 93
Did this route in Feb from Nouakchott to Bamako in a 1985 Merc 190 D. The most challenging part was getting to the start of the tar in Ayoun el Atrous. Parts of the route in Mali were tough as well (as described above) but doable. I was aware of the security issue but nowhere felt unsafe.

Camiel
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

 
 

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

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. 11-15
  • 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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 11:16.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top