Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Bourem to Timbuktu Bourem to Timbuktu
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 Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 4 Apr 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 5
Bourem to Timbuktu
Hi,
has anyone ridden the track from Bourem to Timbuktu recently? Just arrived in Niamey after 7 days in the Aiir and the edge of the Tènèrè and will head into Mali in another couple of days. I did the trip into the Aiir alone on my XT600 34L; it was fantastic if not a little foolhardy. The guides in Agadez were charging extortionate prices which I couldn't afford, so just went anyway. You can buy fuel in some of the villages in the Aiir(Kreb-Kreb,Timia,Taghmirt,Ifrouane), although they are not reliable sources. Water is also available all the way up to Taghmirt(Zagado valley), then at Kogo, the Tènèrè is before you. Amazing.
Checkpoints at Ifrouane, but not coming out of Agadez from the North; riding medium grade 'Trail-riding' with a few areas of deep sand. But spare fuel and water tanks are a must, particularly at this time of year.
Cheers.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 Apr 2007
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,907
Good for you giving yourself a free tour around the Air - I saw some other bikers doing the same one time out there and wondered how they managed - just fill up and ride out of town I guess!

I did Bourem-Tim years ago on a bike. My recollection is hard work stuck in either one very soft sand rut or the other with no room to get out because of the trees and tussocks. Some tricky route finding but the river is always on the left. It will be harder work than Aïr pistes but its the road to Timbuktu after all.

good luck

Ch
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Apr 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Frankfurt/Germany
Posts: 4
Hi there,

I've done Burem-Tombouctou in January 2006 on my KTM LC4 Adventure and I have to admitt that I was a little exhausted when arriving at Tombouctou ;-)
Most of the time you have to drive in a winding sandy rut and can't get out of it because of trees and bushes, as described by Chris. And watch out for oncoming traffic in these passages! I guess there's not more then 1 or 2 vehicles per day, but sometimes one is enough ;-)
The track offers a few fantastic views on the river but I'd say that 90% of the time you can't see the Niger.

In Burem there's a "gas station" opposite of the mosque.

Have fun
Theo
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 9 Apr 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 5
Goa to Tombouctou
Thanks Chris and Theo for your replies.
I'm in Tombouctou now, and yes feel like I've gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson, but it was worth it for the learning curve. Reducing tyre pressures and weighting the pegs makes a huge diference in the ruts though, and the closer you get to Tombouctou, the easier it is to ride in the bush next to the track. Some of the open flat areas are quite exhilirating though once you get out of the sandy ruts, which for anyone who intends to do the route, is badly deep for only about 30 percent of the time at the moment. There are two routes to Tombouctou once you reach Behr; one through the dunes, or if you are tired of that, hang a left at the Poste de Gendarme just out side the village, and you come onto an easy piste near the river into town (about 60kms).
Many thanks Chris for inspiring me and providing good sound advice through your book.
Cheers.
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

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Accra to Timbuktu? camps Route Planning 4 1 Jan 2011 22:48
Mali, Segou - Motel dkmoose Sleep and Eat, North Africa 4 12 Dec 2006 17:56
To and from Timbuktu JSerpa North Africa 14 24 Mar 2006 23:09
Toudenni Timbuktu Tonyabc Route Planning 1 19 Dec 2005 06:28
Driving to to Timbuktu in Sept 2005 Steven Rose North Africa 8 22 Feb 2005 02:43

 
 

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 19:16.

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