Mali - How much fuel - and other costs?

[SDHEG1]

I am in England and am negotiating to organise some walking with camels from north of Timbuctou. Can anybody help with the costs which I have been quoted by an operator in Timbuctou.

1. We need vehicle transport to reach the start point. This is approx 150km drive. The drive is across unsurfaced desert, but not through deep sand for the most part. I have been quoted a fee of $120 for vehicle hire for a day (fairly costly, but probably the going rate in Mali) plus 250 litres of fuel, from an operator based in Timbuctou. Can soembody give me a guideline as to how many km one might get to the litre - it surely can't be only just over half a km, as this quote suggests.

At least the price per litre sounds sensible - 400CFA - but if anyone can confirm the rough price of petrol in Mali, I'd be grateful.

2. Camels for the walking seem more reasonable - 4 camels with guide at a total of 60,000 CFA per day - again, if anybody has any experience of this, please let me know.

3. Lastly the food and water costs seems massive - a total of 200,000 CFA, or $300, for 2 people plus guide for 7 days. This is of course excessive - what are thoughts for what is normal?

Thanks in advance for your advice - Simon