Hi everyone

I posted a lot of questions here a couple of months back prior to departure and I am pleased to say I (and my girlfriend) have made it back to Switzerland in one piece.

Our trip took the following route:

lagos - cotonou - grand popo - parakou - malanville - gaya - niamey - agadez - timia - arlit - in guezzam/assamaka - tam - assekrem - tam - in salah - ghardaia - el oued - nefta - tunis - italy, switzerland.

trip time : 44 days (a bit of a rush sadly, attributable to days lost with illness and waiting....but that's africa and i know for next time!)

Toughest part was the truck ride from arlit to tam, mainly because of the frustrating go-no go wait for 3 days in arlit, in extreme heat. Highlight was probably assekrem. Missed the cure salee by a few days but saw a lead-up tuareg camel festival which was good, but marred by me coming down with malaria. thus saw the inside of agadez hospital. at least they were competent in treating the illness.

so a tip: I strongly recommend NOT taking either doxycycline or larium as a prophylaxic in the subsahara. Basically malarone is the only option. and the risk exists at least as far north as agadez.

If anyone wants info on various stages of the trip feel free to email me: paulmeier2000@yahoo.com

Thanks to all those that helped

jake11
(kiwi in switzerland)