Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
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 15 Aug 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 15
Driving days from Nefta to Borj Mokhtar

Can anyone tell me how many days I need to allocate to drive from Nefta to Borj Mokhtar? Have spared 5 days - is this realistic? Is the border at Borj Mokhtar ok to cross these days?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Aug 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 332
Hi,
Northern Mali is highly insecure these days. Think about the hostages still being held and killed, 11 gendarmes killed near Tin Zaouatine etc.
Algerians authorities in BM will have you sign a declaration that you had been warned and take full responsibility.
Apart from that: 5 days is a bit short, 6 ok. You have to go via Tam.
Border crossing onto Niger is possible and a bit less risky (see reports and discussion on this bb).
__________________
Yves
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 Aug 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Cologne, Germany
Posts: 29
Exclamation Driving days from Nefta to Borj Mokhtar

Hi
In Dec 2007 (20th to 31st) from Tozeur (25km east of Nefta) it took us 12 days to Borj Mokhtar. Our route was Touggourt – Illizi – Djanet – Tamanrasset – Borj Mokhtar.

Tozeur - Touggourt (1 day) which included border crossing.
Touggourt - Djanet (4 days)
Djanet - Tamanrasset (4 days) straight across the desert mostly on the main piste past the Military post at Serouenout.
Tamanrasset - BM (3 days) straight across the desert on the main piste.

Considering we did it in a Peugeot 505, not much ground clearance and 2 wheel drive, we got stuck several times, in a 4x4 you would definitely cover more distance per day. Or if you take the more direct route via In-Salah / Reggane to BM (that’s if the Reggane area is accessible to foreigners), otherwise you have to go via Tamanrasset to BM, I assume ?? you should be able to make it in 5 days, but that’s really pushing it.

From BM we crossed over to Tessalit (Mali), in BM our Algerian guide who had been excellent all along, tried to force a local guide (I assume his friend) onto us for a ridiculous amount of Euro 400, insisting we’ll need one, as it was still quite some distance to the Algeria/Mali border line and the piste to the Mali border frontier in Tessalit was not exactly very clear as there are a lot of smugglers routes criss crossing, In the end we decided to go with out a guide, we did get lost once, but with our GPS, map and a bit of luck, we were able to find our way to Tessalit.

In Tessalit we had no problems neither with the Gendarmerie nor Customs officials. Although they did not let us nor the local trade travellers leave Tessalit for Gao that evening, due to the security situation in Northern Mali. How the situation is today with all the recent news of kidnap and killing I can’t say.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 16 Aug 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 15
Yves and Tunde
Thanks for your replies and advice.
will allow 6 days. Sounds like we are better to cross into Niger and then into Mali???? which was the original route I had planned.
Will look through the posts - new at this so still learning my way!
Any further advice on best way from Algeria into Mali would be appreciated - seems to be the only difficult border crossing in my trip oveland down to Ghana.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 Aug 2010
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,907
I would say BBM into Mali is not so much a difficult border crossing, but that it leads into a risky area where you may well get charged a lot for guides. As things stand now it's not worth the stress.

North Niger out of Assamaka has not been without it's issues this year - Micheal Germaneau crossed there tho he took the other piste. But once you get to Arlit (210km via the main piste from Assamaka) there's a sealed road and military convoys down to Agadez and so on.

Ch
Reply With Quote
Reply


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
Algeria - Tamanrasset to Borj Mokhtar vickey Route Planning 2 16 Aug 2010 13:05
Bordj Mokhtar-Gao in rainy season? jb.enroute North Africa 5 9 Feb 2008 08:56
GPS coordinates Borj Mokhtar to Gao Tuten North Africa 0 26 Jan 2008 23:37
Days driving - Tierra del Fuego and Santiago or Buenos Aires njneuberger South America 12 21 Sep 2006 14:43
Nefta to Tamanrasset Bazil North Africa 1 29 Nov 2003 00:26

 
 

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!

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 19:17.