Mauritania / Mali / Niger / Libya?

[POB/London]

For a long time (~1 yr) I have been planning a trip round the Mediterranean. After discussions with my sponsors, insurers and family I have come to the very difficult decision of pausing my plans.

This is due to the Iraqi conflict and it's consequences for a (mostly) lone traveller in Eastern Turkey, Jordan and Syria. I am most unhappy with the actions of the US/UK coalition, but what can I do? The trip was scheduled for August 2003 and was due to last 3 months (just when I expect there will be a war).

This means I am now going somewhere else. Although I considered travelling around the Baltic, I have now decided on the following route. At the moment I am still in the "drawing on a map" stage, but I would like to ask for hep from the members of this board. I'm really unhappy about changing my plans as I have longed to ride in the Middle East for several years. I'm also quite excited about W.Africa though.

I will be riding a fully-prepped XT600Z Tenere (3AJ) with plenty of fuel and water storage. I also have a bot of off-roading, medical and mechanical knowledge. Please advise on any great routes, difficult borders, or local hotspots to be avoided or must-seen. I have been searching past posts, but there doesn't seem to be anything general enough.

I will have a detailed look through AMH and Sahara Overland tonight.

Thx guys.