Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Essakane-Nema Essakane-Nema
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 6 Dec 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4
Essakane-Nema
What is the best route from Essakane/Mali to Nema/Mauretania in a 4WD Landcruiser, and how long will it take?
Thanks! Randolph Bath
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 30 Dec 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: avon
Posts: 90
I am not sure if you are looking for a fast route or a desert route.

I came to Mali going via Nema to Naara ad then on to Bamako. The Nema Nara stretch is scenic and not difficult in 4WD.

There is a piste going from Nema direct to Timbuktu. A guide in Timbuktu told me this was not too difficult but I have no direct experience of it.

There is also a real desert route which goes either from Nema or Oulata and goes via oneof the wells north of Timbuktu on the route between Timbuktu and Arouwan (spelling). This last route is not a piste, is through open desert, and probably requires a guide. I know of a good guide but don`t know how one would deal with visas.

There is a border crossing on the Nema Nara route that was friendly to me on the Mauritania and Mali sides.

From Nara to Bamako and on to Timbuktu is pretty straightforward in the sense that the pistes and roads and easy to follow. The easiest route to Timbuktu seems to be via Douentza. The Douentza Timbutu piste is failry good all the way.

Regards Tony
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 30 Dec 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4
Hi Tony,
thankls for your reply and info.
We want to go from Essakane direct to Nema
through Gargando, Lerbeb, Bassikounou, Dendara, Nema, or, if too difficult a little bit more south through Lere, Nampala, Med Allan, Bassikounou, Dendara, Nema. Anyone knowing these pistes?
Kind regards
Randolph Bath

Quote:
Originally posted by Tonyabc:
I am not sure if you are looking for a fast route or a desert route.

I came to Mali going via Nema to Naara ad then on to Bamako. The Nema Nara stretch is scenic and not difficult in 4WD.

There is a piste going from Nema direct to Timbuktu. A guide in Timbuktu told me this was not too difficult but I have no direct experience of it.

There is also a real desert route which goes either from Nema or Oulata and goes via oneof the wells north of Timbuktu on the route between Timbuktu and Arouwan (spelling). This last route is not a piste, is through open desert, and probably requires a guide. I know of a good guide but don`t know how one would deal with visas.

There is a border crossing on the Nema Nara route that was friendly to me on the Mauritania and Mali sides.

From Nara to Bamako and on to Timbuktu is pretty straightforward in the sense that the pistes and roads and easy to follow. The easiest route to Timbuktu seems to be via Douentza. The Douentza Timbutu piste is failry good all the way.

Regards Tony
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 31 Dec 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: avon
Posts: 90
Sorry I can not really help with the detail you need.

I was impressed with a guide who took me from Timbuktu to Taoudenni. His name is Lamala. He can be contacted via a man in Timbuktu called Tabala. Tabal speaks French but very little English. 00 223 6023388.

Tabala is just the contact man, Lamala is the guide.

I was surprised how little I was charged to be guided to Taoudenni.

Lamala told me about the desert pistes/routes to Nema when we were at a well a few hundred Kms North to Timbuktu. He said he knew the way on both the northern and southern route.

Lamala speaks French but almost no english.

Regards Tony
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 31 Dec 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4
Thanks Tony, leaving mext week!
best wishes for 2006
Randolph Bath
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 31 Dec 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Poland, Cracow
Posts: 31
hi,
what about the conditions of the pistes from nema to nara (mauri - mali) and douentza to timbuktu ? is that also easy for 2wd cars?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 1 Jan 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: avon
Posts: 90
During dry season Douentza Timbuktu is OK in 2WD. It might not be possible in wet season.

The Nema Nara route has some sand and ruts. I saw a truck stuck on this route. I am pretty sure this route would be difficult for 4WD in the wet. The piste is also one that devides and rejoins so it is not easy to do without a gps. When I crossed the border at Nara I was the first European across for three weeks and I saw very little traffic on the way. I was in 4WD. So, the short answer is, it's risky in 2WD.

See this post

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/001905.html



[This message has been edited by Tonyabc (edited 01 January 2006).]
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2 Jan 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Poland, Cracow
Posts: 31
thanks a lot i know mirmil personally, and i know he did that trip by 2wd (and also by ford fiesta - like my own car:>);
i hope we gonna make it real and get to timbouktu;
thanks a lot:>
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

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. 11-14
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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 04:37.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top