I'm heading towards Ghana via Mali - Burkina Faso does anyone know if a Carnet is needed for the country as I don't have one.

Yes they do like one but a mate who was driving an overland truck was also carrying a motorbike and managed to talk his way round it. Doubt it will be easy but you may be able to talk you way in.

Hey Greenbug,

I am on a bike with Mali number plates. I am in Mali atthe mo and will head to Burkina tomorrow. I will enter Ghana thereafter, hopefully before the weekend. I have a carnet but will try not to use it, will see how it goes and will let you know what the story is.

Let me know if you know of any other motorcyclists out there. I am on my own and keen to meet some fellow travellers.

Cheers,

Heye

Thanks for the info, I'll try blagging at the border but I am eagerly awaiting the bikie update first.
There are a couple of bikers here in Noadibou heading your way but in the next few weeks - first they will spend some time exploring Mauritania.
As always - Good luck y'all......

We went to Ghana in May of this year using the Sempa crossing from Cote D'Ivoire. No Carnet was needed. You just buy a customs document at the border. This was in agreement with what we were told by the Ghanain embassy in London.

Hey Greenbug,

I am in Ghana now, having crossed in at the border with Burkina, forget what it is called. The place is absolutely packed, with the customs people working like mad, as all over land traffic goes through here now, due to the shit in Cote d'Ivoire. Some local truckers told me they had been waiting for days. It took me about 2 or 3 hours in total, seems llike small vehicles and tourists get precedence.

Regards papers: I did not need my carnet at all, would hqve preferred it though as it would have meant no charge at all. AS my bike has Mali plates and is registered in Mali, the officers insistedon issuing me the local version of a laissez passer, which costs 65,000 cedi for a bike and 325,000 cedi for a car, which is about 40 US$ for a car. I asked teh officer whether it is absolutely essential to have a carnet if you enter with European plates, and he said YES. However, my feeling is that you can give them a soppy story and would be able to negotiate something. I.e., clear answer, YES you need a carnet, but African answer, you can always "make a plan". Hope that helps and have fun. Txs for the bikey news, am very keen to meet up with someone, haven't met any bikeys. May meet them later in Niger/Tchad.

Cheers,

Heye