Kayes- Bamako
 

Hello,

we did the Kayes - Bamako road along the senegal river passing the Falls of Felou and Goinea,

be prepared for this route because it was the most difficult on our 18.00o km trip
(holland-calabar/nigeria)
do not attemp it without a four wheel drive
as it is mostly rocky and steep sections, but not high,

be warned

We did this last year in the 101. No problems at all for any Landrover but 2WD would be difficult in places due to soft spots, Goinea falls though was a highlight of the trip. Beautiful spot with a goatherd once a day as the only disturber of the peace. Stayed four days in the end

I've just gotin via the Nioro route - about 30 hours of driving - I was in a hurry so had to skip the scenic route.

We took a good tarmac road Kayes as far as Yelimane for c. 160km then a poor sandy track the rest of the way - 4WD only - maybe screwed up the choice of roads by not taking the more direct route, but we were seduced by the new tarmac...

In Nioro we stopped at teh Gendarme post past the gas station for directions - we shouldn't have stoppedasthey checked ourpassports and sent us back to Nioro where we had an hour of bullshit with the police and customs as Nioro is a border post; they re-stamped our passports

Nioro to Bamako starts with a new gravel road with lousy corrugations so you drive alongside most of the way - after 175 km you pass through a big town that I can't remember the name of, then it's a good ssurface despite roadworks for teh first 75km. The last 100km or so is on good tarmac.

What was the driving time for the southern route?

Driving time via Mahina was one day to Gouina and then we went from there to Bamako in one very long stint. We actually left Gouina about 11am and reached the dam site above Mahina at dusk. Decided to carry on and then were unable to stop through bush fires and decided to press on reaching Bamoko early afternoon next day. Three days would be more sensible but then you should spend time at Gouina :-)

We did the Kayes > Bamako route via Gouina Falls: Mahina: Kita a couple of weeks ago in three days. I agree that it is quite a hard 4WD piste (especially as we got lost and ended up driving down the railway line until the train came along). We saw little traffic but upon arriving in Kita stumbled upon a bog standard French 2CV that had just taken 8 days along the route - so it can be done.

Time your driving to spend the evening at Gouina Falls. We met up with Hideki on his Honda and opened a bottle of St. Emilion.