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Is a 2WD ok? Is a 2WD ok?
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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...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 20 Apr 2002
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Is a 2WD ok?
We intend to travel from Holland to Ghana in a 2 wheel drive regular car through Marrocco, Mauritanie, Mali, Burkina-faso and Ghana.

Is this possible?

Do we encounter paved or otherwise good roads on our route? (tanger, dakar, kayes, bamako, bobo, accra)

which visa do we need?

we intend to sell our car in Ghana or BF. Any suggestions?

Is it better to buy a return ticket in Europe before we leave, or can we buy cheap one way tickets in Accra to fly back home?

tx a million

Kees Hoogendijk
NL
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  #2  
Old 21 Apr 2002
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I have been looking into driving from the Uk to Ghana (or possibly further east i.e. on to Nigeria).

I have done quite a bit of research into the route, have a look at http://www.tomcorser.com/gapyear/ for the detailed route.

Out of the entire 10,000+kms from the UK to Ghana I estimate that there is only around 250kms of non metalled road (if you use trains, such as the ore train from Nouadhibou to Choum, etc.) – the sections I know of are as follows

* 6km From La Guera (Morrocco) -> Nouadhibou (Mauritania)
* 120km from Choum (Mauritania) - > Atar
* 105km from Senegal/Mali border -> Kayes (Mali), although it is possibly to get on the train at Dakar – avoiding this section of “partially improved road”

I think you will need a visa for at least Mauritania and Mali, not sure about the other countries though.

Tom MC
tom@tomcorser.com
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  #3  
Old 21 Apr 2002
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You will also need a visa for Burkina Faso and Ghana accordining to the Lonely Planet guide to West Africa (4th ed April 1999).

Tom MC
tom@tomcorser.com
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  #4  
Old 21 Apr 2002
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There is no problem with a 2WD car in Africa. About 70% of those who take the Mauritanian route are 2WD anyway so dont worry.

The part from the border to >Nouadhibou is more like 45km not 6km and is probably the worst of the route you propose but taking it slowly you shouldnt have any problems. The route from Choum to Atar is more like 260km but onlythe first 70km is sand the rest is a stony track. Sengegalise border to Kayes is also passable but from Kayes to Mahinayou need ground clearance.

You can sell the car in Burkina no problem. Ghana required a carnet up until a few months ago and as far as I know they still do. You cannot enter without one. Depending on the make and year of the car it may be more advantageous to sell the car somewhere else.

Generally if you take the usual precautions that apply to a 2WD you should have no problems whatsoever.
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  #5  
Old 21 Apr 2002
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Buy the plane ticket in Africa. Unless you are in a big rush it is much cheaper than buying a return in Europe.
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  #6  
Old 8 May 2002
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We just did the same route, and I think:

Up to Noudahibou no problem with a 2WD

From Nouadhibou to Nouakchott no problem but you need a guide or a GPS, and maybe join some 4WD going down, just in case.

Nouakchott - Ayoun al Atrous no problem

Ayoun Nioro Bamako is partly rough but no problem

Bamako - Bobo - Ouaga - Navrongo - Accra no problem at all

you need visa for Mauretania which can be obtained at the border ( 40 Euro )

You also need Visa for Mali which you can easily get ( 30 Minutes ) at the embassy of Mali in Rabat ( 50 Euro )

Visas for Burkina you can get at the French Embassy in Nouakchott for 25 Euro ( half day )

If you want to sell the car in Ghana it cannot be older than 10 years ( year of manufacture ). There are rumours that within the next few weeks a new law will be passed allowing for 15 years

One way tickets from Ghana to Europe currently range between US$ 750.00 - 800.00

When you arrive in Accra have a breakfeast at Pitstop !!!

kevin
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  #7  
Old 8 May 2002
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I forgot: You'll need a visa for Ghana as well. Probably best to get it while still in Europe.

kevin
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  #8  
Old 25 May 2002
GWJ GWJ is offline
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Go to Ghana, but sell Your car in Côte d'Ivoir, as far as i know, they don't have the 10-years-limit. Prices seems to bee higher in CFA countries (except Togo) to.
It took me two days to get a Ghanian visa in Burkina Faso.
If You have the time, go east of Lake Volta via Hohoe and Akosombo. It,s a very nice region but the roads are not as good as via Kumasi.
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