Currently Working in Cameroon, we plan to go back to France (we are French) by Car (an old Mitubishi Pajero bought in Cameroon to expatriate in 2003) through the following country in November 2005 : Northern Cameroon, Northern Nigeria, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia.
As you guess, we have a lot of questions concerning this trip:
1- Do we need a Carnet de passage en Douane for any of theses countries? If not (It would be great!) what formalities do we have to fulfield for the car in each boarder.
2- Any special Warning concerning the formalities at the border for this countries.
3- Any special requirement considering that we are doing it in a non-conventional direction (from South to North).
4- Any Special requirement considering that we are French using a cameroonian car with comeroonian papers and cameroonian insurance (everything at our name of course - cameroonian resident)?
5- In Which of the above mentioned country is it mandatory to have guide in the car?
6- In Nigeria, is it necessary/mandatory?
7- In Niger: is it mandatory to have a guide in our car for the most direct route from Nigeria to Algeria (Zider-Agadez-Assamaka)?
8- In Algeria, is it mandatory to hire a guide between the border and Tamanraset? And between Tamanraset and the border of Tunisia? I have read somewhere that it is mandatory to have an escort in a separate car? Is it mandatory as far as it is horribly expensive? In which portion of the road?
9- Is it possible to sell the car in Tunisia? If Yes, do you have an idea of the sales price we can propose considering that the car have 20 years old, petrol, 200 000 km but completely rebuild by the Official Mitsubishi Resseller in Cameroon before the trip (engine included). Any address to propose the car? Anyone interested in Tunisia or eventually in Europe?
10- Any special idea, advise or place not to miss on the way?
11- Nowdays,is it reltively safe (security) to travel in theses countries? Is it relatively easy to find the way.
12- We planed to do the all trip Cameroon-France in less than one month. Is it possible?

Thank you very Much for your feed back.

Dub's

1- Do we need a Carnet de passage en Douane for any of theses countries? If not (It would be great!) what formalities do we have to fulfield for the car in each boarder.

Don't know Nigeria and Cameroun, others not needed.
2- Any special Warning concerning the formalities at the border for this countries.

Nothing special, don't take photos!

3- Any special requirement considering that we are doing it in a non-conventional direction (from South to North).

None

4- Any Special requirement considering that we are French using a cameroonian car with comeroonian papers and cameroonian insurance (everything at our name of course - cameroonian resident)?

No problem

5- In Which of the above mentioned country is it mandatory to have guide in the car?

Algeria

6- In Nigeria, is it necessary/mandatory?

Not mandatory

7- In Niger: is it mandatory to have a guide in our car for the most direct route from Nigeria to Algeria (Zider-Agadez-Assamaka)?

No

8- In Algeria, is it mandatory to hire a guide between the border and Tamanraset?

Yes

And between Tamanraset and the border of Tunisia?

Yes

I have read somewhere that it is mandatory to have an escort in a separate car?

Can travel in your car if you have space - cheaper.

Is it mandatory as far as it is horribly expensive? In which portion of the road?

Mandatory, entire period of stay in Algeria.

9- Is it possible to sell the car in Tunisia? If Yes, do you have an idea of the sales price we can propose considering that the car have 20 years old, petrol, 200 000 km but completely rebuild by the Official Mitsubishi Resseller in Cameroon before the trip (engine included). Any address to propose the car? Anyone interested in Tunisia or eventually in Europe?

Don't know.

10- Any special idea, advise or place not to miss on the way?

Try for Assekrem and Tassili in S.Algeria.

11- Nowdays,is it reltively safe (security) to travel in theses countries?

Nigeria is probably your most risky country - just be careful.

Is it relatively easy to find the way.

Yes, also take gps and maps.

12- We planed to do the all trip Cameroon-France in less than one month. Is it possible?

Yes - you'll be 'full-on' though!

Sam.

Thank you very much Sam and Jihad for your answers.
They are very usefull for us.
Sam,
You seem very well informed. Have you done this trip recently? with a car?
If yes, I would be pleased to have your contact (e-mail and eventually phone number to call you directly) my email: bjdubarle@yahoo.fr
Thanks in advance.
Jihad,
Thank you for your warning.
We plan to enter Nigeria at the border betwwen Maroua (Cameroun) and Maiduguri (Nigeria) and to continue to Kari, Kano and cross the boarder with Niger beween Kano (Nieria and Zinder) Niger. Any information or Warning concerning this direct road?
Do you know if we need a "carnet de passage en Douane" for the vehicule to cross Nigeria?
Thank you for your feed Back.
Dub's

Did Brussels-(Algeria)-Benin in May (have done this approx route 5 times now!).

You can call me evenings on +32 475 930232 if you want to chat.

My knowledge of Nigeria and Cameroun is second-hand - I've not been to either country.

Sam.

Hi Sam,
Thanks for your phone number. I will call you one of this day when the arrangment of ou trip will be more advanced.
Regarding Guide in Algeria.
How does it work?
- Shall we arrange everything before the trip and give an apointment to the guide at the Niger/Algeria Border. In this case, do you have any contact for cheap guide (How much does it cost to have him in our car - one seat available).
- Or shall we keep one in the car at the boarder?
Thanks for your Help
Dub's

I have a number of contacts, but also look around this site. Normally it'd done that you meet your guide at a preset time/date - otherwise you might have to wait a few days for something to get organised, with little control over cost.

It's going to be expensive (and really expensive if he is in his own car).

Short answer??!!

Sam.

I lived in Douala from 1972-74. At the end of my assignment, my girlfriend and I (now wife) drove from Douala to London.

I am afraid most of my practical information will be out of date by now, but I will be happy to answer e-mails or telephone calls (1-954-630-1101, Office hours, EST).

We found that two years of driving and camping in Cameroon meant that we were much better prepared than those arriving from Europe. As you might imagine, good French is a tremendous advantage in Francophone countries and can make it much easier to negotiate things.

Bon voyage, bonne route, et bon chance!

DiploStrat